“It feels like I’ve conquered the world” Adult Literacy Classes empower women in Saptari

A news article about NYF’s Community Learning Center (a program under our Caste Equality Project) was recently published in Gorkhapatra, Nepal’s national government daily newspaper. The piece highlights the inspiring stories of women from the Musahar community in Saptari District who are gaining literacy and confidence through the Adult Literacy Classes. Below is the English translation of the original Nepali article.

Written by Sudha Dev | Bhardaha (Saptari), October 25 | Click here to read the original article in Nepali

Women from the Sada (Musahar) community of Piprahi, Ward No. 3, Tirhut Rural Municipality, are excited to become literate. Despite their busy lives, local women have been taking time out of their daily routines, bringing along their young children, and attending literacy classes at the local Community Learning Center, veiled in traditional attire.

Thirty-year-old Rekha Kumari Sada shared that although she remains occupied with household chores all day, she attends the Community Learning Center daily from 1:00 to 3:00 PM with her two children to learn reading and writing. “I had always wanted to study since childhood,” she said. “No one from our community used to send their children to school. When I saw others reading books or writing their names, I used to feel inspired. Now that I can write my own name and read simple words, I feel as if I’ve conquered the world.”

“It feels like I’ve conquered the world after learning to read and write.”

She added, “My two children, aged six months and three and a half years, also come here. They get to sit in a clean environment and eat nutritious food. What more could we ask for? I sincerely thank Nepal Youth Foundation (NYF) for supporting us and giving us a new life by paying attention to our condition and problems.”

Similarly, 33-year-old Buchi Kumari Sada from the same area said that after joining the Community Learning Center, she has learned the importance of education and realized that education can empower people to win the world. “Not only me,” she said, “but most women of my age in our community now take time out from various household chores every day to come and study. The daughters-in-law from most Musahar families in the ward are happy to have this opportunity to learn.”

According to Lalit Gahatraj, Program Coordinator at Nepal Youth Foundation, a total of 50 women—25 each from Piprahi and Goithi—are currently attending literacy classes at the Community Learning Centers.

He explained, “Through these centers, the foundation is running five major activities: women’s literacy programs, literacy classes for out-of-school adolescent girls with the goal of reintegrating them into formal education, tuition classes for SEE (grade 10) students, nutrition, hygiene, and recreation programs for children aged six months to three and a half years, and savings group activities to develop saving habits among mothers.”

He added that by prioritizing the Musahar community—one of the most marginalized Dalit groups—the foundation has seen enthusiastic participation of women eager to become literate. Most women enrolled in the literacy program can now write their own names and read simple texts.

NYF’s Adult Literacy Classes

Adult Literacy Classes offered at our Community Learning Centers is part of a six-months long course. Participants meet for two hours a day, six days a week. Classes cover legal, financial, and Nepali language literacy. We’ve already seen tremendous results from women completing the course, including increased participation in the workforce and more engagement with local government!

Community Learning Centers

NYF’s Community Learning Centers, which is part of our broader Caste Equality Project, serve as vital hubs for children and adults in their respective villages in Saptari District. They offer a wide range of programming in addition to the Adult Literacy Classes, including afterschool tutoring, childcare, early childhood education, and more.

NYF Update: Letter & FAQ (September 2025)

You may have heard about recent political and social unrest in Nepal. While life is beginning to stabilize, challenges remain—especially for vulnerable children and families. In moments like these, NYF’s commitment to transparency and compassion is stronger than ever.

In the following letter from NYF President Som Paneru, he shares updates from the ground and reassurance about the safety of the children at Olgapuri. We’ve also included an FAQ section, which we hope provides clarity on the situation in Nepal and NYF’s ongoing work.

Letter from Som Paneru

Dear NYF Community,

It has been an extraordinary and challenging time here in Nepal. You may have seen reports in the news about the major shift in the country’s political landscape and widespread protests that recently swept through the country. After several days of upheaval, including a two-day revolution, life has begun to calm down, and a new government is now in place. Yet the scars left behind are deep, and healing will take time.

As Nepal enters its most cherished festival season, Dashain & Tihar (festivals of light, hope, and goodness), we are reminded of our people’s remarkable resilience. Time and again, Nepalis have faced upheaval and hardship, and time and again, we have found ways to rise, rebuild, and look forward to a brighter future.

Especially in times of uncertainty, our hearts are with the children and families who are most vulnerable. They remind us of the vital role NYF plays in keeping children safe, families nourished, and young people’s futures full of hope. In that spirit, I want to reassure you that the children and youth at Olgapuri Children’s Village remain safe and protected. To maintain transparency and communication with our supporters, we prepared the below FAQ to answer some of the questions you may have about the situation on the ground in Nepal.

In the coming weeks and months, we will remain laser-focused on continuing what NYF does best: providing humanitarian relief and support to children and youth, and strengthening our proven programs: Olgapuri Children’s Home, the Nutritional Rehabilitation Home, Olgapuri Vocational School, Ankur Counseling Center, and the New Life Center/Medical Recovery Home. These core programs remain strong, resilient, and poised to serve more children and families during this difficult time. By optimizing them, we can expand access to food, education, shelter, health care, and psychological support—the foundational pillars of NYF’s work.

For 35 years, NYF has weathered many storms as a trusted humanitarian organization—from a decade-long civil war to the devastating 2015 earthquake, to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Each time, we’ve responded with compassion and decisive action to ensure relief reached those who needed it most. This moment will be no different.

What keeps us moving forward is community—a community that transcends violence, fear, and suffering to ensure that Nepal’s children not only survive, but flourish.

I am deeply grateful for your steadfast support. With you by our side, NYF will once again meet this moment with compassion, courage, and an unwavering commitment to Nepal’s most vulnerable. Please continue to keep Nepal in your thoughts—it means so much to know the NYF Community is with us.

With gratitude and hope,

Som Paneru
President, Nepal Youth Foundation

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the situation on the ground in Nepal?

As of this update, social unrest has largely subsided, and daily life is beginning to stabilize. Communities are now focused on recovery with an emphasis on rebuilding infrastructure, as key government institutions, such as the Supreme Court and Parliament, as well as schools, police stations, businesses, and other facilities, were damaged. The full scope and implications of recent developments are still unclear, but we anticipate that day-to-day life may continue to bring difficulties for vulnerable children, youth, and families in the months ahead.

How will this impact NYF’s mission and programs?

We will focus on optimizing NYF’s core programs, which will continue to operate. The children at Olgapuri Children’s Village, as well as our staff, remain safe and secure, and NYF’s top priority is protecting the children, youth, and families in our programs while also making sure our staff can continue to work safely.

We also recognize that the recent unrest may lead to a slowdown in Nepal’s economic growth, which could limit employment opportunities for lower-income families and heighten the urgency of humanitarian needs. In this context, NYF’s work becomes even more vital. Olgapuri Children’s Home remains a safe haven for children who cannot live with their families, while mental health services provided by Ankur Counseling Center are available to help children cope as the nation heals. Olgapuri Vocational School will play a key role in tackling Nepal’s unemployment rate and rebuilding the country’s infrastructure, and NYF’s two medical facilities, the Nutritional Rehabilitation Home and the New Life Center/Medical Recovery Home, will continue providing critical services, free of charge, to those who need immediate care.

What is NYF doing to help with recovery efforts?

The situation is still unfolding, and we don’t yet know the full picture. What we do know is that NYF will continue to listen, adapt, and respond day by day—just as we have in the past. Our team is prepared to adapt to the emerging needs of communities in Nepal, which will likely include providing food, housing, education, and mental health support. As needs become clearer, we will share updates about NYF’s role in supporting recovery efforts.

How can I help?

• Make a donation: Your gift helps sustain our core programs and enables us to respond quickly and wisely to emerging needs.
• Share this update with friends and people in your network to spread awareness.

Your support provides stability for the children in our programs as NYF navigates this uncertain period. With your partnership, we can continue to stand strong for children, families, and communities in Nepal—no matter what tomorrow brings.