Nepal’s 2015 Earthquake: 10 Years Later

A Day That Changed Everything

As we mark the 10th anniversary of Nepal’s 2015 earthquake, we pause to reflect on a day that forever changed the country. Just before noon on April 25th, 2015, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Nepal, centered in Gorkha District—the worst natural disaster to hit Nepal since 1934. Nearly 9,000 lives were lost and over 21,000 people were injured. An avalanche on Mount Everest claimed 22 more lives, making it the mountain’s deadliest day in history.

The destruction was staggering: ancient temples, monasteries, and entire villages near the epicenter were reduced to rubble. In mere moments, nearly 3.5 million people were left homeless. Powerful aftershocks continued for weeks, causing further devastation and uncertainty. Amid this ongoing crisis, the Nepal Youth Foundation (NYF) mobilized quickly—delivering critical relief and support to the communities who needed it most.

While the statistics are staggering, it is the personal stories that reveal the true impact of this disaster. And the remarkable resilience of the Nepali people.

Sanam’s Journey: A Story of Strength and Determination

Among the thousands of lives touched by the 2015 earthquake is that of Sanam*—a young girl whose determination and resilience continue to inspire all who meet her. Sanam was just 8 years old when the earthquake struck her village. As she and her neighbors rushed outside towards safety, two houses collapsed on top of her, crushing one of her legs. Her neighbors urgently freed her from the wreckage and carried her to the hospital as quickly as possible. They reached the hospital before Sanam’s father even made it home from the fields.

Unfortunately, Sanam’s leg could not be saved. “My leg had been totally damaged,” she remembers.

She later received a prosthetic leg from another organization, helping her regain mobility. Her family was already facing challenges, and after the earthquake, Sanam shared, “[We] did not have enough to eat. And I thought now I would never be able to study and do anything.”

Even after such a life-altering event, Sanam stayed focused on her future and her education.

Through NYF’s Scholarships for Students with Disabilities program, she was able to pursue her academic dreams. She recently shared with a member of our team, “Before NYF’s support, I was not getting the proper education that I deserved. But NYF’s scholarship proved me wrong. I feel like I have got everything now—my health and a good education, and I will be able to acquire wealth when I grow up. So NYF has given me happiness and a bright future.”

Sanam’s journey is about more than overcoming adversity; it’s about forging her own path forward. Both of her elder sisters were married by the age of 16, a common reality for many girls in her community, but as Sanam says, “I feel lucky that I am able to go to school and study without fear of marriage.”

This year, now age 18, she passed her Grade 10 board exams and recently sat for Nepal’s School Education Examination (SEE)—a major milestone in every Nepali student’s academic journey. As she waits for her results, Sanam is practicing guitar and dreaming of one day becoming a singer.

Sanam’s story is a testament to her resilience and ambition. With support, she is building the life she chooses—one filled with hope, learning, and music.

In the years following the disaster, NYF has supported thousands of children and families as they navigated the path from survival to renewal. Each story is unique, and together, they are a testament to what is possible when a community comes together to uplift its own.

NYF’s Swift & Sustained Response to the 2015 Earthquake

Sanam’s experience is just one window into the broader work of NYF in the aftermath of the earthquake.

Within days, NYF was providing emergency shelters and medical supplies. Soon, we established protective housing for displaced children and eventually began supporting communities to rebuild schools and homes. Our relief programming, which ran through 2017, reached the nine districts closest to the epicenter and inspired much of our later work, including our COVID-19 response.

With decades of experience and deep community roots throughout Nepal, our team was able to pivot swiftly to meet urgent needs where they were greatest. As ABC7 News shared at the time, NYF founder Olga Murray—then 89—rallied support from her home in Sausalito, California, while our staff in Nepal coordinated and delivered critical relief on the ground. Together, we reached thousands of families across the hardest-hit districts with compassion, efficiency, and care.

Our emergency and long-term recovery work included:

• Temporary housing and essential supplies for over 2,000 families
• Emergency psychological support for 4,600+ children and adults
• Distribution of over 30,000 units of essential medicine
• Safe drinking water systems and hygiene kits for displaced communities
• Construction of 51 earthquake-safe classrooms
• Over 10,000 backpacks and school supply kits to help children return to learning
• Nutrition support for children and mothers in crisis

A Legacy of Care and Readiness

As we mark this 10-year anniversary, we remember the lives lost, honor the communities forever changed, and reaffirm our commitment to standing with children and families—especially when they need us most.

At NYF, we believe in showing up—not just during emergencies, but for the long road that follows. Whether it’s an earthquake, a pandemic, or a personal crisis, our team responds with compassion, cultural knowledge, and an unwavering belief in the potential of every child.

This commitment was evident again during the COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing from the lessons we learned in 2015, we acted quickly, distributing food and hygiene supplies, offering remote mental health services, and converting our Nutrition Kitchens to prepare over 5,000 hot meals for hungry families. We provided emergency housing, education continuity, and support for frontline hospitals, all while ensuring the children in our care remained safe, healthy, and nurtured during an incredibly uncertain time. Our decades-long presence in Nepal has made us a trusted partner in both urgent relief and long-term recovery—and none of it would be possible without the generosity of our global community.

Thank You for Standing with Us

To everyone who stood with us in 2015—and every year since—thank you. You’ve helped rebuild homes, restore hope, and empower thousands of new beginnings. Dhanyabad!

Join us at Founder’s Day 2025

At Founder’s Day 2025, NYF will highlight Olga Murray’s legacy in action through inspiring alumni who are now shaping Nepal’s future. If Sanam’s story moved you, we invite you to join us on May 29th in San Francisco to hear even more firsthand accounts of resilience, hope, and transformation. We’ll be celebrating 35 incredible years of NYF’s impact over dinner and drinks—and would love to see you there!

NYF’s College Graduates: Where are they now?

At Nepal Youth Foundation (NYF), we’re committed to ensuring that every young person we support has the tools they need to thrive. But how do we measure success?

Every five years, NYF conducts an internal survey of recent college graduates to assess the long-term impact of our Scholarships for K-12 and College Students program. This year, we reached out to all 358 students who earned their bachelor’s degrees with NYF’s support between 2017 and 2022. Of the total 358 graduates, 52% were men and 48% were women. Despite the challenges of maintaining contact across five years and many regions, 326 graduates (91%) responded.

The results were deeply encouraging.

The Results

The data speaks volumes. Nearly 9 in 10 NYF college graduates are employed, and 100% of them are earning more than the national minimum for their field—a powerful indicator of both job quality and long-term stability. Meanwhile, 11% are pursuing advanced degrees in high-impact fields like medicine and agriculture, continuing their academic journeys with purpose.

More than two-thirds have already reached officer-level positions or higher, just a few years after graduation—a testament to their leadership potential and the value employers see in their NYF-supported education. And with 7% working in medicine and 11% earning competitive government placements, it’s clear that these young professionals are stepping into sectors critical to Nepal’s future.

These achievements are even more remarkable when viewed in context. This cohort of students faced extraordinary disruptions during their education—graduating into the uncertainty of a pandemic, navigating remote learning, exam delays, and a drastically shifting job market.

Behind the Data

The young people represented in this survey are part of NYF’s College Scholarship program, which supports students who have already overcome significant challenges to pursue higher education. Many began their journey with NYF as children in our K-12 Scholarship or Shelter programs, and with consistent support and mentorship, advanced to college—often gaining admission to some of Nepal’s most prestigious institutions.

Between July 2023 and June 2024 alone:

• 331 students (168 men and 163 women) received NYF College Scholarships.
• 64 students graduated from bachelor’s and master’s programs.
• Fields of study included medicine (11), nursing (2), business management (20), social science (13), law (2), and programs like agriculture, education, and science.

This diversity reflects NYF’s commitment to nurturing well-rounded, empowered leaders across every sector—and it signals a brighter, more resilient future for Nepal, as these graduates bring their skills and insights into every corner of society.

Rising Above Adversity

These scholars are not just high achievers—they are survivors and change-makers.

Some have faced caste-based discrimination in their classrooms, including the injustice of untouchability. Others have been underestimated due to their gender, with parents reluctant to invest in a daughter’s education. Still others are the pride of remote villages, supported by neighbors who pooled whatever they could to help a child succeed.

They’ve grown up during pivotal moments in Nepal’s history. They were toddlers—or not yet born—when the Civil War ended in 2006. They were in school when the 2015 earthquake shook the nation, and in their teens when the COVID-19 pandemic turned the education system upside down.

Through all of this, they’ve kept moving forward.

Supporting students through these challenges requires more than just funding—it takes a team that understands, listens, and walks alongside them at every step.

Meet the Team Powering NYF’s Scholarship Success

Behind every successful NYF graduate is a small but mighty team of passionate, devoted experts. NYF’s Academic Education team combines technical expertise with deep empathy—many having faced similar challenges as the students they support. Through meticulous record-keeping, regular field visits, and personal check-ins, they provide the personal touch that sets NYF apart. Their work isn’t just about education—it’s about building trust, opening doors, and creating lasting opportunity.

Investing in Nepal’s Future

Rojina completed her 4-year course in Public Health and is currently working as an intern at a Maternity & Reproductive Health Care Center in Kathmandu. She and her younger brother have been under the care of NYF since 2005.

Today, NYF college graduates are thriving—not just building careers, but contributing meaningfully to Nepal’s development. They’re leading in healthcare, business, education, agriculture, and beyond. And with every success, they’re paying it forward—strengthening their families, uplifting their communities, and helping to shape a brighter, more equitable future for Nepal.

We are incredibly proud of each and every one of them—and so grateful to you, our NYF community, for making these stories possible.

At Founder’s Day 2025, NYF will highlight Olga Murray’s legacy in action through alumni who have become today’s dynamic Nepali leaders. If you like what you’ve read, please join us at Founder’s Day on May 29th in San Francisco to hear more about NYF’s incredible alumni. We’ll also be celebrating 35 incredible years of impact over dinner and drinks! You can RSVP online for free here.

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