“You can give a child the same opportunity I was given years ago.”

In February 2026, Benju Lwagun joined the NYF-Nepal Board. As a graduate of NYF’s programs, Benju is excited to share her letter below with the NYF Community to commemorate this full-circle moment—and to encourage you to give another child in Nepal the same chance that she was given many years ago.

Dear NYF Community,

As I write to you today, I am thinking about the young girl I once was—a daughter of a Dalit family in rural Nepal with big dreams but limited opportunities. I could never have imagined where life would take me or how profoundly one organization would help shape my future.

Growing up, my family relied mostly on agriculture for income. I was lucky to receive government scholarships until high school. But I was on my own if I wanted to pursue higher education. I had dreams of going to college in Kathmandu, but that seemed financially impossible—until NYF.

In 2006, I applied for and was accepted into NYF’s Educating Dalit Daughters (EDD) initiative.

EDD was a special scholarship program for 25 young Dalit women. This program made it possible for me to attend one of the best private colleges in Kathmandu. I then earned my bachelor’s degree in three years. And in addition to receiving financial support, I met mentors and role models who challenged me to think bigger, and to believe that someone from my background could contribute meaningfully to society.

Since then, my journey has taken me far beyond what I once imagined. I completed a master’s degree in communication and journalism. I lived and worked in Jordan and Myanmar, and built a career focused on social impact. Today, I co-lead Technology for Equity and Justice Center, where we work to create pathways into the technology sector for young people from marginalized communities in Nepal.

Throughout my journey, I never lost sight of where I started or the role NYF played in it. That is why joining the Board matters to me. It is both a way to give back to an organization that invested in me at a critical moment, and an opportunity to help shape its future as it continues to expand life-changing opportunities for young people across Nepal.

As a Dalit woman, I understand the barriers marginalized young people face because I have lived them—limited access, lack of representation, and the question of whether certain spaces are meant for people like us. I also know how transformative it is when someone chooses to see your potential.

That is why I am especially excited about NYF’s Caste Equality Project (CEP) in Saptari District. 

When I look at the children and families participating in the program today, I see reflections of my own childhood and the challenges many Dalit communities continue to face. 

As someone whose life was transformed by educational opportunity, I know that meaningful change happens when people invest in potential before success is visible. Someone once believed in me. They believed that a young Dalit girl from rural Nepal deserved the opportunity to learn, grow, and pursue her dreams. That belief changed the course of my life.

Today, I am asking you to help create that opportunity for another child.

Your support of NYF today will help sustain and expand programs like CEP, ensuring that more young girls and boys can stay in school, women can learn to read and write, and more families can build brighter futures. Every gift, regardless of size, is an investment in a young person’s potential and a statement that their future matters.

I hope you will consider making a gift today. Together, we can help ensure that more children are given the same chance that I was given years ago.

With love and gratitude, 

Benju Lwagun
NYF-Nepal Board Member & Program Alumna

Celebrating Student Success: SEE Results in Nepal

Each year, thousands of students across Nepal dedicate months of hard work to preparing for the Secondary Education Examination (SEE). For many young people, especially those who have overcome financial and social barriers to attend school, this milestone represents both an opportunity and a tremendous source of pressure.

Strong SEE exam results can open doors to higher education and future careers. Yet students who have limited academic support often face additional challenges in reaching their goals. At NYF, we believe every student deserves the opportunity to succeed. Through SEE preparation classes, mentorship, and academic support, we are helping students in Nepal approach this important milestone with greater confidence.

Preparing Students for the SEE

Schools in Saptari District, where NYF’s Caste Equality Project (CEP) is based, continue to face challenges including limited teacher training, inadequate school infrastructure, and gaps in early childhood education. The district is home to one of Nepal’s largest Dalit populations, and many students face significant barriers to accessing quality education. These challenges can make preparing for the SEE especially difficult.

To help bridge these gaps, NYF partnered with the local municipality to provide a three-month SEE preparation course for 150 Grade 10 students. The classes offered additional instruction, exam strategies, and academic guidance designed to help students feel prepared on exam day.

After completing the SEE, students choose their higher secondary education streams in fields such as science, management, humanities, and law. These decisions shape their educational journeys and future careers, making strong SEE results especially meaningful.

This year, 39 NYF-supported students sat for the SEE. Twenty-eight students passed on their first attempt, resulting in a 72% pass rate, surpassing Nepal’s national average of 66%.

Meet Prajita*

One of this year’s standout students is Prajita, a peer counselor in NYF’s Caste Equality Project.

Through the program, Prajita received a three-month SEE preparation course, tuition support, and essential stationery supplies.

Her dedication paid off with an A in Compulsory Mathematics and an A+ in Optional Mathematics, an outstanding achievement that reflects both her determination and academic ability.

Prajita is also one of 170 trained peer counselors in NYF’s Caste Equality Project. Alongside her studies, she leads discussions in her community on topics including mental health, menstrual hygiene, child marriage, basic human rights, and the dowry system. Peer counselors like Prajita encourage younger students to stay in school, serve as role models in their villages, and help create positive change that reaches far beyond the classroom.

Following the release of the SEE results, NYF also organized career orientation classes to help 2026 graduates choose their higher secondary education streams. As students continue their educational journeys, our team remains committed to providing guidance and encouragement every step of the way.

Meet Sanjiv*

Success doesn’t stop after the SEE.

For students in Grade 12, final examinations determine their eligibility for college and university studies. This year, 78.33% of NYF-supported Grade 12 students passed on their first attempt, exceeding Nepal’s national pass rate of 69.75%.

One of those students is Sanjiv, a scholarship recipient in NYF’s Kinship Care program.

He earned an exceptional 3.82 GPA, a reflection of years of perseverance, resilience, and commitment to his education.

His achievement is a testament to his hard work and the opportunities that consistent educational support can provide. As he prepares for college, we are excited to see all that he will accomplish.

Thank you & Dhanyabad!

Every passing score represents far more than an exam result. It reflects months of perseverance, years of determination, and the promise of new opportunities ahead.

Whether through SEE preparation classes, scholarships, career guidance, or leadership opportunities, NYF is committed to helping students in Nepal build bright futures for themselves and their communities.

Thank you to everyone who makes this work possible. Together, we are equipping the next generation of leaders with the education, confidence, and support they need to thrive, give back to their communities, and shape Nepal’s future.