About PAEFA

Honoring Pritam’s legacy through education, health, wellness, and hope for Bhutanese communities.

Who We Are

Carrying Forward a Legacy of Service, Education, and Hope

The Pritam Adhikari Education Foundation America, also known as PAEFA, was created to honor the life and vision of Pritamber “Pritam” Adhikari. Pritam believed in the power of education, compassion, and service to uplift underprivileged communities.
Today, PAEFA continues that mission by supporting Bhutanese refugees and low-income families through scholarships, mentorship, health education, wellness programs, and community partnerships in the United States, Bhutan, Nepal, and refugee camps in Nepal.

PAEFA honors the legacy of Pritamber “Pritam” Adhikari by empowering Bhutanese refugees, low-income families, and underserved communities through education, scholarships, health awareness, mentorship, and community wellness programs.

To build healthier, more educated, and more hopeful Bhutanese communities where every student and family has access to the support, knowledge, and opportunities they need to thrive.

Education

Health & Wellness

Scholarships

Community Support

Community

Together, We Can Open Doors for Students and Families

Your support helps PAEFA provide scholarships, school supplies, mentorship, health awareness programs, and community resources for Bhutanese refugees and underserved families.

How PAEFA Creates Lasting Community Impact

PAEFA turns compassion into action by connecting students, families, volunteers, health professionals, and community partners around practical support that creates long-term change.

Scholarships & Education Access

We help underprivileged Bhutanese students continue their education through scholarships, school supplies, mentorship, tutoring, and academic guidance.

Health Awareness & Prevention

We support families through community workshops and education on important health topics, including cancer awareness, diabetes, high blood pressure, women’s health, mental health, and prevention.

Refugee Student Support

Through the Sponsor a Refugee program, PAEFA helps students in refugee camps and low-income communities access the resources they need to stay in school and build confidence for the future.

Community Partnerships

We collaborate with nonprofits, health departments, schools, and community organizations to expand access to trusted information, services, and support.

About Pritam

The Legacy Behind PAEFA

Pritamber “Pritam” Adhikari (1990–2013)

Pritamber “Pritam” Adhikari was born in Bhutan in 1990 and, like thousands of other ethnic Nepalis, was forced into exile at a young age. He grew up in refugee camps in Nepal before resettling in Atlanta, Georgia in 2008.

Despite many hardships, Pritam pursued education with extraordinary determination. He graduated in the top 10% of his high school class, earned merit- and need-based scholarships, and began studying aerospace engineering through a joint program at Oglethorpe University and Georgia Tech.

Pritam was more than a gifted student — he was a compassionate leader who believed deeply in serving underprivileged communities. Although he passed away at just 22 after battling colon cancer, his vision lives on through PAEFA, which was founded to continue his legacy of education, service, and hope.

“Pritam always wanted to make a difference in people’s lives. Even though he is gone too soon, his memory is still with us.”

Indira Adhikari Subedi