Women’s History Month 2026

Across Nepal, many women still face barriers shaped by poverty, caste discrimination, disability exclusion, and unequal access to education. Yet when given opportunity, women become powerful drivers of change. They strengthen health systems, expand economic opportunity, advocate for inclusion, and reinvest in their communities.

Highlighting 3 NYF alumnae who are advancing healthcare, disability rights, and economic empowerment across Nepal.

Each March, Women’s History Month invites us to honor the women who have shaped history and to recognize the leaders who are building a more just and equitable future. In Nepal, that future is being shaped every day by women who once faced barriers to education and opportunity and who are now transforming their communities through courage, skill, and leadership.

At the Nepal Youth Foundation (NYF), we believe that empowering girls is one of the most powerful investments we can make. When girls gain access to education, mentorship, and opportunity, they become leaders who strengthen families, expand access to healthcare, grow local economies, and advocate for inclusive systems.

This Women’s History Month, we are proud to highlight three remarkable women from our 35 Alumni Stories for 35 Years of Impact campaign. These leaders reflect the ripple effect of education and support. Their stories show what becomes possible when girls are given the chance to rise.

Meet the Women Leading Change:

Nirmala Gyawali

Olgapuri Children’s Home Alumna

Born visually impaired at a time when educational opportunities for blind children in Nepal were extremely limited, Nirmala Gyawali’s future could easily have been defined by exclusion. Instead, it became defined by leadership.

Raised in NYF’s K-house, now known as Olgapuri Children’s Home, Nirmala received long-term support from 1989 to 2004. When Braille education was available in only one school nationwide, she was enrolled at the Laboratory School in Kirtipur. She later earned degrees in Sociology and English Literature. In 2005, she completed a 26-month scholarship program in the United States, strengthening her skills as an advocate and leader.

Education transformed not only Nirmala’s life but also her family’s trajectory. Her sister became the first blind woman in Nepal to earn a master’s degree. Her siblings now work as teachers in Kathmandu.

Since returning to Nepal, Nirmala has dedicated her life to advancing disability rights. She serves as Public Relations and Fundraising Manager at Ability Development Society Nepal, supporting education, skills training, and livelihood opportunities for more than 1,500 children and adults with disabilities each year.

Her advocacy has led to meaningful progress, including promoting wheelchair-accessible classrooms, supporting sign language interpretation, founding Kathmandu’s first Braille library, and expanding inclusive systems such as accessible banking for blind individuals.

“I envision a Nepal where disability is not a barrier to living, working, or achieving your dreams.” Nirmala shared.

Dr. Alisha Rasaili

Empowering Dalit Daughters Alumna

Dr. Alisha Rasaili’s journey with NYF began in 2006 after she completed her School Leaving Certificate with outstanding marks. In Nepal, the School Leaving Certificate, often called the SLC, is a nationally administered examination taken at the end of secondary school. It marks the completion of grade 10 and is considered one of the most important academic milestones for students seeking to pursue higher education. Performing well on this exam can significantly shape a young person’s educational future.

Although Alisha had excelled academically, continuing her studies in Kathmandu felt uncertain due to social and economic barriers. Through NYF’s Empowering Dalit Daughters program, she received three years of support that enabled her to pursue higher education in the capital. Living and studying in Kathmandu at a young age helped her grow in confidence, independence, and leadership.

Today, Dr. Alisha serves as an ophthalmologist at a government hospital, restoring vision and improving quality of life for patients who might otherwise go without care. By providing specialized eye treatment at minimal cost, she helps ensure that families are not burdened by preventable blindness or limited access to medical services.

“Serving people at the ground level is deeply meaningful to me,” she shares.

Beyond the hospital, she conducts health camps, promotes public health awareness, and works to strengthen connections between communities and healthcare systems. Through her work, she is expanding access to care while helping build a stronger and more equitable health system in Nepal.

Her journey reflects the power of education. One academic milestone opened the door to higher education. Higher education led to medical expertise. And that expertise now restores sight for countless others.

Budhani Tharu

Vocational Education, Industrial Tailoring Graduate

Budhani Tharu was 21 when her life finally changed. After more than 15 years in the Kamlari bonded labor system, she was rescued and given her first real opportunity for freedom.

Introduced to NYF’s Vocational Education and Career Counseling program, Budhani slowly rebuilt trust and confidence. She completed industrial training and later worked at a garment company in Kathmandu for nearly a decade. During that time, she gained skills, financial independence, and a renewed sense of possibility.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Budhani returned to her hometown with savings and a dream. Today, she owns and operates a tailoring and garment shop in Dhangadi, supplying affordable, high-quality clothing to her community. Her business supports her family and provides employment to two other women seeking economic independence.

“NYF transformed my life from servitude to entrepreneurship.” Budhani says. “I now live with dignity and can help create opportunities for others.”

This Women’s History Month, we celebrate Nirmala, Alisha, and Budhani, along with the thousands of girls whose potential is still unfolding. We hope you will continue to join us on this mission.

Honoring Olga Two Years Later

February 20, 2026 marked two years since the passing of Nepal Youth Foundation’s visionary founder, Olga Murray. In Nepal, students, staff, and community members came together to remember her through celebration, reflection, and shared gratitude. As we look back on those moments, we are reminded that her vision continues to guide NYF’s work and the lives of the children and scholars she believed in so wholeheartedly.

Olgapuri Children’s Village: A Living Legacy of Love and Home

One of Olga’s greatest legacies is Olgapuri Children’s Home – a loving, permanent home for children whose parents are unable to care for them.

Every Saturday since January 10, 2026, Olgapuri has been hosting six other children’s homes across Kathmandu Valley for the annual “Olgapuri Carnival” – a festival where children from other homes come together to participate in fun and friendly competition. Activities have included chess, basketball, debate, futsal, art competitions, quizzes, and more.

This six-week long carnival culminated on February 20^th with a special closing ceremony organized in Olga’s honor. Students from each participating children’s home offered beautiful tributes to the work and community-building Olga made possible in Nepal. Awards were also distributed to competition winners, capping off weeks of hard work and shared camaraderie.

In the evening, house parents gave out special awards to Olgapuri children, celebrating traits like leadership, compassion, and excellence in art.  It was a day full of love, warmth, and friendship — a beautiful reminder of the love and community she built on campus and in the hearts of the children she adored.

Educating Dalit Lawyers: Carrying Olga’s Vision for Justice Forward

One of the last projects Olga helped to launch at NYF was Educating Dalit Lawyers (EDL). A lawyer herself, Olga was determined to establish a group of powerful human rights lawyers to fight caste-based discrimination in Nepal and champion the Dalit community. Since the program’s launch in 2022, NYF has supported more than 30 Dalit law students with enriched scholarships. In 2025, we reached a milestone Olga would have cherished: our first Educating Dalit Lawyer graduated from law school.

In February 2025, NYF established The Olga Murray Excellence Award for Law Students in collaboration with Nepal Law Campus, where many of our EDL scholars are enrolled. Awarded annually to one young man and one young woman who achieve the top scores on the nationwide law school entrance exam, this honor reflects Olga’s belief in the power of education, justice, and kindness. This year’s recipients (pictured to the left) are Pabina Acharya and Krishtal Parajuli.

Olga’s Legacy Lives On

Two years later, Olga’s presence is still felt in every corner of NYF’s work, made possible by people like you in our NYF Community. Every scholarship, every award, and every carnival exists because of you and your belief in our shared mission.  That is a legacy that time cannot touch. Thank you and Dhanyabad!

Remembering Olga, Together

Some moments stay with us no matter how much time passes.

We think of the quiet ways Olga showed up for others. Sitting beside a student and listening. Sharing a simple laugh. Walking through Olgapuri and greeting each child by name. These were the moments that mattered most to her.

Olga made people feel seen, heard, and encouraged. She created space for young people to believe in themselves and in what was possible for their futures. That belief continues to shape NYF’s work today.

Her legacy lives not only in programs, but in people — in the paths they are building and the opportunities they are creating for others.

Happy Holidays from Nepal!

NYF President Som Paneru sends his holiday wishes to you! This letter was featured in an email sent to NYF supporters on December 23, 2025 about the impact of skill-based training. If you’d like to receive messages like this in the mail, please subscribe to our email list here. 

Dear NYF Community,

As the year comes to a close, I am reflecting with both gratitude and resolve. Like many communities around the world, Nepal faced challenges in 2025. Yet even in moments of hardship, our shared commitment to children, families, and young people never wavered. Together, we carried hope forward and persevered, continuing to expand access to education, skills, and opportunity where it is needed most.

The work you support at Nepal Youth Foundation (NYF) continues to shape lives in quiet but powerful ways. One story that has stayed with me this year is that of Jitendra Kumar Yadav, a graduate of one of NYF’s skill-based, vocational training programs.

Jitendra is from Tirhut Rural Municipality. After his father passed away, he became the sole provider for his 87-year-old mother, his wife, and his young son. With no formal skills and very little income, life was extremely difficult. Many people doubted his ability to succeed.

But that changed in 2023, when Jitendra enrolled in NYF’s Building Electrician Training program in Tirhut Rural Municipality.

After 390 hours of training, he graduated with a certificate and a brand-new toolbox—giving him the confidence to begin a new journey, not just for himself, but for his family.

Jitendra started by taking small electrical wiring and repair jobs in his village, working in homes and village temples. For the first time, his community had a trained electrician of its own. His dedication and skill quickly earned trust, and demand for his work grew into neighboring towns.

As his work expanded, so did its impact. Jitendra began hiring other trained youth, many of whom are graduates of NYF training programs. Today, he runs his own electrical contracting business with nine employees. He has worked on nearly 90 sites, including government school buildings and offices, village temples, and private homes. I am especially proud that he recently completed the electrical wiring at NYF’s new Community Learning Centers built as part of the Caste Equality Project.

With a stable monthly income of NPR 35,000 to 40,000, Jitendra now provides a comfortable life for his family—including his son, who now attends a good private school. Just as importantly, he has earned dignity and respect in his community, and has become an example of what is possible when opportunity is shared.

“I am grateful to NYF for changing my life,” he says. “I encourage all young people to join skill-based training. It can truly transform your future.”

Jitendra’s journey reflects what is possible when young people are given practical skills, confidence, and the chance to build a future close to home. In a time when many young adults and families in Nepal face uncertainty and unemployment, his story offers hope rooted in action.

As we enter this holiday season, I am deeply grateful for you and the NYF Community. Your generosity allows opportunity to ripple outward to families and communities. From all of us here in Nepal, thank you for standing with us this year.

We wish you and yours a warm and joyful holiday season, and peace and prosperity in the year ahead. Together, we look forward to making an even greater impact in Nepal in 2026.

Yellow Dal Recipe – A Taste of Olgapuri

Our gift to you!

As we enter this season of gratitude, all of us at Nepal Youth Foundation are reflecting on how much your support has meant this past year. Your kindness has helped children across Nepal learn, grow, and feel the comfort of community. In return, we wanted to share a small gift from the heart of Olgapuri Children’s Village.

This simple yellow dal recipe is a favorite for the children at Olgapuri, reflecting a dish woven into Nepali daily life. It has long been one of the country’s most beloved comfort foods, with roots that stretch back centuries. Communities traditionally cultivated lentils alongside rice, creating a simple, hearty meal that sustained families through the rhythms of rural life. At Olgapuri, it is served often, filling the dining hall with warmth, familiar aromas, and the feeling of family.

Beyond its cultural importance, dal is rich in plant-based protein, fiber, and essential minerals. It supports healthy digestion, fuels growing bodies with steady energy, and adapts easily to whatever is available in the kitchen. It can be enjoyed on its own or served with rice, vegetables, greens, chicken, eggs, or any protein you love.

For many families in Nepal, daal represents both comfort and sustenance, making it a meaningful dish to share during this season of togetherness. We hope this recipe brings a little of Olgapuri’s warmth into your home.

Yellow Dal Recipe (Olgapuri style)

Base Ingredients

• 1 cup split yellow lentils (arahar or mung dal)
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
• Salt to taste
• 2 to 3 cups of water (according to the desired consistency)

Ingredients for Tadka (tempering)

• 1 tablespoon oil or ghee
• 1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds (if desired)
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1-2 cloves garlic and small piece of ginger, finely chopped
• 1 small tomato, chopped
• 1-2 green chilies, slit (optional)
• A pinch of hing (asafoetida) and a few curry leaves (optional)
• Lemon juice (to taste)
• Cilantro (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

• Rinse the lentils thoroughly, soak for at least 20 minutes.
• Cook the lentils (in a pressure cooker, pan, or wok) with turmeric, salt, and water until soft and creamy. Pressure cooker method: Cook on high heat until the first whistle, then lower the heat and cook for 5 to 7 more minutes.
• In a separate pan, heat oil or ghee. Add mustard and cumin seeds until they sputter.
• Add garlic, ginger, green chilies, and tomato (if using). Sauté briefly.
• Pour this tempering over the cooked lentils. Stir well and simmer for a few minutes.
• Finish with lemon juice (about 1 teaspoon or more for taste) and chopped cilantro.
• Serve warm with steamed rice to make it Dal Bhat, Nepal’s national dish. Feel free to add sauteed vegetables, roasted squash, spinach, tofu, chicken, or any protein of your choice. Can be enjoyed on its own as a soup!

Did you know?

Olgapuri has a thriving farm and greenhouses that provide fresh vegetables throughout the year. These greenhouses help ensure the children enjoy nutritious, homegrown produce in every season—often cooked right into their daily dal and tarkari (curried vegetable dishes.)

Don’t miss out on NYF’s GivingTuesday x2 Match campaign!

For this year’s GivingTuesday campaign—Fueling Futures: Share a Meal with Olgapuri—NYF is raising funds for the food budget at Olgapuri Children’s Village. The 80 kids in our care at Olgapuri receive four homemade, nutritious meals every single day. One meal costs only 50¢. This GivingTuesday, our goal is to raise $38,235 together to fund every meal served at Olgapuri from now until the end of our fiscal year in June 2026.  As you spend time with loved ones in the coming days and weeks, we invite you to pause and appreciate the shared joy of food, connection, and community—the core values of this GivingTuesday effort.

As you enjoy this recipe, we hope you’ll also take part in NYF’s GivingTuesday x2 Match campaign: Fueling Futures — Share a Meal with Olgapuri. Double your impact today! NYF supporter Kevin McAuliffe is matching all gifts made to this campaign.