Thank you for a successful Founder’s Day 2026!

On May 14, 2026, more than 130 NYF friends gathered at the Golden Gate Club in San Francisco to celebrate our annual Founder’s Day event. The evening was as joyful and moving as we hoped it would be. We had delicious food, our very first signature cocktail, an exciting silent auction, inspiring stories that stayed with us long after the night, and a shared sense of pride in everything we’ve accomplished together in Nepal.

Bright Futures at Home

The theme at Founder’s Day 2026, Bright Futures at Home, isn’t just an event tagline for one evening—it’s the thread that runs through everything we do at NYF. Through vocational training, we provide teenagers and young adults with opportunities to stay in Nepal with high-paying careers. Through nutrition education, we empower caregivers to integrate good health into the family home. And at Olgapuri Children’s Village, we provide children who have nowhere else to turn with stability, love, and a permanent home.

Founder’s Day was our opportunity to come together as a community, celebrate what we’ve already accomplished, and look ahead to all bright futures still waiting to be built. And we did that!

Fundraising Goal

This year, we set an ambitious fundraising goal of $250,000. As of now, we’ve raised just over $230,000. Thank you, and dhanyabad, to every single person in the NYF Community who helped us get there. Whether you purchased an item from the Olgapuri Market, participated in the silent auction, or donated through the Fund-A-Need, you are the driving force behind NYF’s continued success.

We came in just below our goal, but we’re absolutely thrilled with the momentum this amount still gives us as we finish out the year. Our Founder’s Day 2026 campaign will remain open for a little while longer. So, if you couldn’t attend (or if you did attend and are feeling extra generous!), you can still help us cross the finish line. You can click here to donate online.

NYF President Som Paneru’s Powerful Remarks

We were so grateful that Som Paneru was able to make the trip from Kathmandu to be there with us. As it is every year, his speech that evening was a powerful one. Som touched on the political upheaval that rocked the country back in September, and highlighted how it was connected to Nepal’s migrant labor crisis.

Som shared a statistic that’s hard to sit with. Every year, more than 750,000 young Nepalis leave the country to find work abroad. They leave with no knowledge of when, if at all, they’ll return.

“Nearly one in four households in Nepal now has a family member working overseas. Think about what that means for a child growing up. A father who is absent. A mother who is far away. A family held together only by remittances wired home from their children each month. Those remittances now make up one-third of Nepal’s entire GDP. We have built an economy on the sacrifice of our own people.”

This is exactly why NYF’s work of providing Bright Futures at Home matters so much. Our vocational training school offers a different path—one rooted in dignity, skill, and opportunity at home. Olgapuri Vocational School is NYF’s nationally accredited training facility in the Kathmandu Valley. We bring together classes of 20 men and women for 3-month certification programs in electrical, plumbing, carpentry, welding, and more. Som shared that thanks to our direct partnerships with employers, more than 86% of graduates find work within three months of completing their training. OVS now trains over 1,000 young adults every year. This year, we are on track to train 1,200!

“These are young people who might otherwise be among those leaving Nepal every day. Instead, they are staying home. They are building something. They are the future of a new Nepal.”

The Inspiring Stories of Dinesh & Pushpa

The venue was buzzing with energy all night, but the true highlight of the evening was hearing directly from Dinesh and Pushpa. These are two individuals whose lives had been transformed by generosity from NYF supporters. Through a beautiful video created by volunteer filmmakers Roy Cox and Robin Mortarotti, we heard Dinesh’s and Pushpa’s stories, and how NYF’s vocational training program gave each of them a way to build a brighter future right at home in Nepal.

We’re excited to share this powerful video here:

Olgapuri Market

For the very first time, our Founder’s Day event included the Olgapuri Market—a table full of beautiful handmade wooden bowls, plates, coasters, and more. These products were crafted by carpentry students at Olgapuri Vocational School. Every purchase went straight back into OVS, helping even more students receive the training and resources they need to build their own bright futures at home.

NYF is coming to a city near you this summer… through the Olgapuri Trek-a-Thon!

Near the end of the program, Angela Pal (Vice Chair of NYF’s US Board of Directors) and Sean Murray (Olga Murray’s grandson and member of the US Board Member) took the stage to share a very exciting announcement: NYF is launching our very first Olgapuri Trek-a-Thon!

On September 26^th, we’re lacing up our walking shoes to celebrate the 10^th Anniversary of Olgapuri Children’s Village. NYF will organize local walks in cities and towns across the globe. Just like a walkathon, we’ll all be rallying our friends, family, and colleagues to sponsor our treks. Together, we are hoping to raise $30,000 for Olgapuri and NYF.

Since sharing this announcement at Founder’s Day 2026, teams have already popped up in San Francisco, New York City, Seattle, Des Moines, Chicago, Miami, Santa Barbara, and the Washington DC Area. More are joining every week! Click here to find out more about the Trek-a-Thon.

Honoring dedicated NYF friends

Finally, we were incredibly honored this year to recognize five extraordinary NYF champions: Roy Cox, Stu Harden, Robin Mortarotti, Gina Parker, Elizabeth Share, and Yat-Ping Tong. These long-time NYF supporters have championed our work for decades, and this past year especially, they’ve stepped up with even more heart and leadership. Each recipient was awarded a beautiful wooden plaque and was honored on stage at Founder’s Day 2026.

Dhanyabad to all of our supporters!

Every year, Founder’s Day would not be possible without our dedicated volunteers, our auction donors, generous sponsors, and, most importantly, you. Thank you to all those who showed up and gave generously.

The momentum continues: Let’s build brighter futures in Nepal

Founder’s Day might be over, but our work continues! Over the coming months, our team will be putting every dollar raised to work building more bright futures in Nepal.

Want to stay involved? Here’s how:

1. Make sure you’re signed up to receive our email blasts, so you never miss an update.
2. Join the Olgapuri Trek-a-Thon—either as a participant, or a City Captain!
3. Become a monthly donor to help us grow our transformative work sustainably, year after year.

On behalf of everyone at Nepal Youth Foundation, thank you again for your belief and generosity in our mission. Together, we are building bright futures at home in Nepal!

New Updates from Saptari District

We’re thrilled to share that our Caste Equality Project team is currently constructing a sixth and final Community Learning Center (CLC) in the last ward of Tirhut Municipality. Once construction is completed in June, every single ward in Tirhut will have its own CLC! This marks a significant milestone for NYF. It demonstrates equity across all communities, illustrates full buy-in from NYF, and proves that a scalable model can be replicated in other municipalities across the region.

Every day, these Community Learning Centers are alive with activity, serving the children, girls, and women of Saptari District. Our impactful programs include Adult Literacy Classes, Early Childhood Daycare, After School Tutoring, Bridging Courses, and more.

We launched a new pilot program with student teachers!

As these programs have grown, so has one of our most persistent challenges: finding enough qualified teachers. Staffing all 13 local schools and each of our CLCs on a tight budget in a rural area of Nepal is no small feat. So, our team got creative with a new pilot program. We’re recruiting recent NYF college scholarship graduates to serve as student teachers.

Each teacher receives a monthly stipend to cover basic expenses like housing and meals. At the end of their commitment, student teachers may be eligible to earn a scholarship for a master’s program at any public university in Nepal. Along the way, they also gain hands-on teaching experience and invaluable life lessons. Several teachers are working in their teaching positions already, and we’re so excited to see this pilot program take off.

Let’s keep this momentum going!

Each of NYF’s CLCs costs $25,000/year to run. A wonderful foundation has stepped up to fund three this year. As we work towards fully resourcing all six of our CLCs, we’d love your help spreading the word. If someone in your network comes to mind (a foundation, a company, or a generous individual who might be inspired by this work), please put them in touch with us. We’d be so grateful for the connection. 

Staff Spotlight: Anjita Parajuli

When Anjita Parajuli first considered joining Nepal Youth Foundation (NYF), she was living in Pokhara with her husband and two children and had just received an offer for a full-time teaching position at Pokhara University. Around the same time, her sister Anubha, who worked as a counselor at NYF’s Ankur Counseling Center, encouraged her to apply for an opening at NYF.

It was a difficult decision. University positions are highly prestigious in Nepal, and Anjita had already been teaching there part time. But she ultimately chose NYF because she wanted to be directly involved in work that creates meaningful social change.

“I saw NYF as an opportunity to build a career aligned with my values and my aspirations for social justice,” she says.

That decision, made in 2009, became the foundation of a career rooted in purpose.

Anjita’s Important Role at NYF Today

Today, Anjita plays an important role connecting NYF’s programs in Nepal with supporters around the world. Her work spans preparing reports and proposals, tracking program progress, coordinating closely with program teams, and responding to donor and partner inquiries. As a key point of contact for NYF’s global fundraising teams, she helps ensure that the realities, challenges, and progress from the field are clearly communicated. In many ways, she serves as a bridge between the work happening on the ground in Nepal and the community of supporters who make it possible.

Early Visits to Saptari

One project especially close to Anjita’s heart is NYF’s Caste Equality Project in Saptari District, which supports highly marginalized Madhesi Dalit communities, particularly the Musahar community. During early visits while the program was being developed, she witnessed firsthand the realities many girls face.

“We would see girls who appeared to be 14 or 15 carrying babies,” she recalls. “But when we asked their ages, they would say they were over 20.” It quickly became clear that many were concealing their real ages, as the legal age of marriage in Nepal is 20.

At the Nutritional Rehabilitation Home in Saptari, she met a 13-year-old girl caring for a severely malnourished child and a 15-year-old with two malnourished children. These encounters were just a glimpse into a much larger reality—one shaped by deep poverty, early marriage, and limited access to education.

Nearly all of the families in these communities are landless and live in extremely difficult conditions. Girls and women face compounded challenges, from early marriage and lack of education to limited access to basic sanitation and healthcare.

Despite these challenges, Anjita also witnessed remarkable determination.

During her interactions with girls in grades eight and nine, she saw how deeply they wanted to stay in school. Many woke before dawn to cook, clean, and care for their families before walking long distances to school. After classes, they worked in the fields and returned home to more responsibilities. Some even woke as early as three in the morning during exam periods to find time to study.

“They understood that education was their only path to a different future,” Anjita says.

But the path is fragile. For many girls, a single failed exam or financial setback can mean leaving school and being married off.

Change is Beginning to Take Root

Through NYF’s programs, change is beginning to take root. Girls are stepping forward as peer counselors and leading street dramas that speak out against early marriage. Education support is helping ease the financial burden on families, making it possible for more children to remain in school. Women who never had the opportunity to study are enrolling in adult literacy classes and forming savings groups to support one another.

At first, gaining trust in these communities was not easy. Families were hesitant to allow their daughters to participate in programs. But through consistent engagement with both communities and local government, that trust is growing. Families are beginning to recognize the value of education and are increasingly supporting their daughters’ futures.

Anjita has seen villages that once felt defined by hardship slowly begin to shift, with more hope, activity, and possibility taking root.

One of her favorite parts of her work is witnessing and documenting these transformations—not only in individual lives, but across entire communities.

Anjita’s Commitment

Anjita’s commitment to this work began long before she joined NYF.

She grew up in Pokhara in a family of educators. Her father was a professor, and her mother was a teacher and community volunteer who organized women’s groups to help families earn income and save for their children’s education. Watching her mother support other women left a lasting impression.

At home, Anjita and her siblings were treated equally. But outside their home, she saw how deeply gender discrimination shaped everyday life.

Girls were often sent to less expensive schools while their brothers attended better ones. Men and boys were prioritized in nearly every aspect of life. These experiences stayed with her and shaped her understanding that inequality was not inevitable—it could be challenged and changed.

To Our Supporters

“I feel fortunate to work in this sector through NYF,” she says. “Together we are improving access to education, nutrition, leadership development, and economic opportunity for women, girls, and marginalized communities across Nepal.”

She also wants supporters to know how meaningful their generosity is.

“When you support a girl’s education,” Anjita says,“you are not only helping her attend school. You are reducing the likelihood of early marriage, breaking cycles of poverty and vulnerability, and giving her the opportunity to live with dignity and independence.“

The Olgapuri Carnival is officially underway!

From January 10th through February 20th, Olgapuri Children’s Home is hosting six other children’s homes across Kathmandu Valley for the 4th Annual Olgapuri Carnival. Every Saturday, children will get together for a day full of fun and friendly competition. Children are already having a blast competing in sports, games, art, debates, and more. 

The Olgapuri Carnival always brings so many moments of joy, friendly competition, and community spirit to life. Activities include table tennis, chess, futsal, and basketball to sack races, debates, art competitions, quizzes, and more. Beyond the games, the carnival fosters connection, confidence, and belonging, giving children the chance to celebrate, collaborate, and simply be kids.

We hope you enjoy these pictures below of all the fun so far. Stay tuned on social media (Facebook and Instagram) for more updates and fun photos!

Stories of Impact in 2025

2025 was a year marked by both hardship and hope. Nepal faced tremendous social unrest, shifting political landscapes, and economic uncertainty. But because of continued and steadfast support from the NYF Community, NYF did not just withstand these challenges—we grew stronger together.

Thank you to all those who generously supported NYF’s work in 2025. We hope the impact stories below highlight how your support is more than just a donation, but a direct investment in brighter futures.

Harkaman
Scholarships for Students with Disabilities

Meet Harkaman, a determined young scholar from Baglung who is proving that resilience and ambition know no limits. After losing both of his arms in an electrical accident at a young age, Harkaman moved to Kathmandu to continue his education and pursue new possibilities.

Today, Harkaman is a Grade 12 student studying computer science. At the same time, he is a dedicated para swimmer, training under the National Para Swimming Association. In 2025, Harkaman made his international debut at the World Para Swimming Competition in Japan. He was proud to represent Nepal on a global stage. He is now training toward his next goal: competing in the 2026 Para Asian Game.

With support from NYF’s Scholarships for Students with Disabilities program, Harkaman is able to balance his studies, training, and daily life in Kathmandu. His journey reflects the power of opportunity paired with determination—and the belief that every young person deserves the chance to pursue their dreams.

Girls’ Education in the Balami Community
Kinship Care

In 2025, NYF’s enriched Kinship Care program supported 18 girls (and 3 boys) in grades 5 through 12 from the Balami community in Kagati Gaun, Nuwakot—where early marriage has historically limited girls’ access to education. The program has helped these students delay early marriage. It also contributed to stronger academic performance and improved school attendance.

Scholarship support covers essential needs such as uniforms, school supplies, shoes, snacks, and extra coaching classes in subjects like English, Math, and Science. With these resources, students were able to attend school regularly, prepare for exams, and build confidence in the classroom.

As one student shared, “If I had not received this scholarship, I would not have been able to continue my education. My sister was married at a very early age. I, too, would have been married off by now if I had not received this support.”

By keeping girls in school, the program is strengthening protection, opportunity, and long-term change across the Balami community.

Anita
NYF’s New Life Center

Three-year-old Anita is from a remote village in Kalikot, where access to specialized medical care is extremely limited. In 2025, her family traveled to Kathmandu for a health checkup. At this checkup, Anita was diagnosed with a serious heart condition. Unable to afford surgery at the time, her family returned home. They carried the weight of uncertainty with them.

Anita’s condition worsened, and her family made the difficult journey back to Kathmandu so she could receive the care she urgently needed. Anita successfully underwent heart surgery. She then stayed at the New Life Center with her mother for 20 days, where she received post-surgery care and support. After making a full recovery, Anita returned home—healthier, stronger, and surrounded by renewed hope for the future.

Sudina
Scholarship Program

Sudina is a dedicated young athlete from Itahari in eastern Nepal. She is receiving a scholarship through Nepal Youth Foundation’s sports scholarship program. The daughter of a tempo driver and a homemaker, she grew up in a hardworking family with two younger siblings. Her discipline and talent in taekwondo earned her a competitive selection as a trainee with the National Taekwondo Association. She lives in a modest hostel in Kathmandu as she trains and competes at the national level.

In November 2025, Sudina placed third in the National Taekwondo Association’s General Tournament. She continues rigorous training with the goal of competing in major national events, including the 10th National Games, the IGP Cup, and the Presidential Running Shield. She aspires to join the Nepal Army through its sports program.

Alongside her athletic pursuits, Sudina remains committed to her education and plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree. Her story reflects how targeted support helps a talented young woman from a working-class family pursue excellence, independence, and a future filled with possibility.

Rakshya
Day School Scholarship & College Scholarship Program

Originally from Gorkha, Rakshya moved to Kathmandu at a young age with her mother and two sisters so she could continue her education. NYF began supporting her in 2007, when she was just in Grade 1, through a Day School Scholarship. From the start, Rakshya stood out as sincere, disciplined, and academically gifted. She consistently excelled in her studies and topped her class from Grades 5 through 10.

She went on to study science in Grades 11 and 12. Rakshya then successfully navigated Nepal’s highly competitive medical entrance exam on her first attempt. This earned her a government scholarship seat in the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) program at Lumbini Medical College under Kathmandu University. NYF continued to support Rakshya through our College Scholarship Program, covering living expenses so she could focus on her studies. By the end of 2024, she completed her final MBBS exams and began her year-long internship at her medical school’s hospital.

In 2025, Rakshya passed the Nepal Medical Council licensing exam and officially became Dr. Rakshya Tiwari. In December, she was awarded her MBBS degree with a Gold Medal at Kathmandu University’s 31st Convocation. Today, Dr. Rakshya is committed to serving her community. She remains closely connected to NYF—embodying the lasting impact of education, perseverance, and donor support across nearly two decades.

Roman
Vocational Education and Career Counseling (VECC)

Roman is a 20-year-old from Hetauda who grew up determined to build a future in Nepal. As a child, Roman watched his older brother leave the country in search of work, only to face instability, low wages, and mounting debt that prevented him from returning home. Witnessing these challenges firsthand shaped Roman’s resolve to pursue a different path—one rooted in dignity, skill, and opportunity at home.

Financial hardship forced Roman to stop his education after Grade 10, leaving him with few employment options in his village. Everything changed when he learned about Olgapuri Vocational School’s free training programs, which also provide food and accommodation. In August 2024, Roman traveled to Kathmandu and enrolled in the six-month welding training program. Through hands-on instruction, discipline, and mentorship, he developed practical skills that quickly translated into real-world opportunity.

After completing his training, Roman secured employment in Kathmandu with support from Olgapuri’s job placement services. Today, he works as a welder, earning a steady monthly income and moving confidently toward financial independence. Roman’s story reflects the power of vocational education—showing how access to skills and support can help young people build sustainable futures in Nepal, on their own terms.

Sita
Industrial Tailoring, Vocational Education and Career Counseling (VECC)

Sita is a 23-year-old from Kanchanpur District in Nepal’s far-western region. When she was in the 8th grade, she was forced to leave school to help support her family by working as a domestic laborer. She worked for nine years.

Sita then learned about training opportunities at Olgapuri Vocational School through a local cooperative. Determined for more independence and a better life, she applied for NYF’s Industrial Tailoring training program.

In June 2025, Sita completed the training. She was employed immediately and is now earning a good income. Most importantly, she is proud of her own journey.

This past fall, Sita was able to return to her hometown with gifts for her family during Dashain. She’s also looking forward to enrolling her younger sister in the same training.

“I can now get a job anywhere I want,” Sita shares proudly with the NYF team.

Jitendra
Vocational Training & Career Counseling, Caste Equality Project

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

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 and 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.

Maya
New Life Center

The New Life Center (NLC) is a temporary recovery home for rural families who must travel to Kathmandu for critical medical treatment and surgery—and who have nowhere else to turn while recovery begins.

Maya is one of the children the NLC exists to support. Diagnosed with eye cancer, she traveled to Kathmandu with her mother to undergo chemotherapy at a hospital. During her treatment, Maya and her mother stayed at the NLC. They had a safe place to sleep, nutritious meals, and attentive care during an exhausting and frightening time. With stability and support, Maya could focus on healing, and her mother could stay by her side.

Saugat
College Scholarship Program

In 2025, NYF College Scholarship support helped Saugat take a major step forward in his education and career. With an NYF scholarship, Saugat completed his Master’s Degree in Sustainable Development at Kathmandu University, graduating this year with the skills and confidence to pursue meaningful work serving his community.

Today, Saugat has begun a new role as a Monitoring & Evaluation Officer with the Rural Development Center. The Rural Development Center is a UN-funded organization working in Rautahat District in Madhesh Province. In this position, he supports programs focused on community development and long-term progress. He also ensures that resources are used effectively and that efforts reach the people who need them most.

Thank you for creating stories of resilience and hope. While we celebrate our accomplishments in 2025, we know our work is far from finished. Social and political challenges in Nepal will continue into the new year. In 2026, our team will remain laser-focused on our mission, securing safety, education, nutrition, and more for the children and families in our care. We look forward to sharing many more stories of transformations and accomplishments in this new year.

2025 Highlights

Thank you for your dedication and commitment to our shared mission in 2025. During the 2025 fiscal year, your support has helped us reach 22,000 individuals, with 5,200 of them receiving long-term, in-depth support. The 2025 highlights listed below are just a few of the many wonderful accomplishments you helped to make possible. Dhanyabad!

Celebrating 147 diplomas in 2025

This year, we celebrated 147 diplomas! Pictured on the left is Ashmi, who grew up at Olgapuri Children’s Home, and has been in NYF’s care for over 18 years. In 2025, she completed her bachelor’s degree in Community Development from Kathmandu University.

Rate of malnutrition dropped by 30% in 2025

In 2023, children in Wards 1 & 3 of Tirhut Rural Municipality faced an extremely high malnutrition rate of 83.46%. By 2025, the rate had fallen to 53.22%, thanks to NYF’s ongoing work through the Caste Equality Project. This includes free lunch programs at schools and Community Learning Centers, as well as other community nutrition programs.

First Educating Dalit Lawyer graduated

NYF celebrated an important milestone this year when Pradip BK became the first graduate of our Educating Dalit Lawyers Program. He completed his BALLB degree, finished his internship at Bhusal Law Associates, and is now preparing for his licensing exam and upcoming community service.

3 new Community Learning Centers constructed

In September 2025, three new Community Learning Centers were constructed as part of our Caste Equality Project in Saptari District, bringing the total number of NYF’s centers in the district to five. Of the five, two are fully operational with programs like Peer Counseling, Early Childhood Daycare, and Adult Literacy Classes running every day.

Success at Olgapuri Children’s Village!

In 2025, eleven children at Olgapuri took part in Nepal’s nationwide Secondary Education Examination (SEE). This exam is a critical gateway to higher secondary education in Grades 11 and 12. With dedication and months of preparation, ten of these students passed the exam and successfully became eligible to continue on to Grade 11—an important milestone that opens the door to future academic and career opportunities.

New vocational training school in Dhangadi

With the financial support from a generous group of supporters in the UK, NYF built a new vocational school in the city of Dhangadi in Western Nepal. Electrical, welding, and plumbing trainings are currently being run by 6 trainers.

One-Day Nutrition Training in Saptari District

Through the Caste Equality Project in Saptari District, we completed a one-day nutrition training in March 2025 at a Community Learning Center (CLC) for school teachers, cooks and caregivers. The training was conducted by nutrition experts from NYF’s nutrition programs, and over 100 people participated. This included twenty-six school teachers and cooks from all 13 schools in Tirhut Rural Municipality, as well as six CLC staff members and cooks, and 78 mothers.

More Community Learning Center success!

• After-School Support Classes: In 2025, over 100 children participated in after-school support classes, with up to 50 students attending at a time in each Community Learning Center—strengthening learning, confidence, and consistency beyond the school day.
  
• The Early Childhood Care Program: 120 toddlers participated in the early childhood care program in 2025. They were provided a safe, nurturing environment where young children received nutritious meals, learned personal hygiene, and engaged in creative play designed to support early cognitive development.
  
• Back-to-School Bridging Classes: 35 girls attended NYF’s bridging classes in 2025. 33 of them transitioned back to school in the current academic session—an encouraging step toward continued learning and opportunity.

These 2025 highlights were all made possible because of support from the NYF Community. We hope it offers a glimpse into how your kindness directly impacts the individuals we serve every day.

EDL’s First Program Graduate: Pradip BK

This past summer marked a truly historic milestone for the Nepal Youth Foundation (NYF): the graduation of its first-ever student from the Educating Dalit Lawyers (EDL) Program—Pradip BK.

A Steady Climb Toward Excellence

Pradip, a recent graduate of Nepal Law College (NLC), exemplifies how persistence, mentorship and opportunity can transform potential into achievement. He began his legal-studies journey with a solid GPA of 3.24, navigating the early semesters with some ups and downs. But by his final term, Pradip reached a personal best of 3.57, capping off a consistent upward trajectory.

Pradip BK’s rise in GPA exemplifies how consistent effort and mentorship can drive meaningful academic transformation, offering a model for student success through data-backed, compassionate engagement.

His progress wasn’t defined by dramatic leaps so much as determined, incremental growth. The EDL mentors observed not only improved grades but also a growing confidence, more active engagement in collaborative learning and quiet leadership emerging over time. From quiet perseverance to quiet leadership, Pradip’s arc underscores that academic excellence is often built over time—with the right encouragement, clear goals, and belief in one’s own potential.

“His story will remind his juniors that progress may be gradual, but the climb is real—and worth it.”

Beyond the Classroom

In addition to his academic success, Pradip’s accomplishments extend well beyond the classroom. After completing his 10th semester, he completed an internship at Bhusal Law Associates and is now preparing for Nepal’s Lawyer’s License Examination. At the same time, he’s looking ahead to engaging in community service and field study opportunities — stepping into the world of law not just as a graduate, but as a changemaker for equity.

What This Means for the Future

Moreover, Pradip’s achievement is more than a personal success. It marks a milestone for the EDL program and for Dalit representation within Nepal’s legal system. By breaking barriers, he sets an example: that sustained support, resilience and belief can combine to transform individual lives—and ultimately entire communities.

About the Educating Dalit Lawyers (EDL) Program

Launched in summer 2022 as Phase 1 of NYF’s broader Caste Equality Project, the Educating Dalit Lawyers Program is an enriched law-school scholarship designed specifically for students from Nepal’s Dalit communities. Dalit students have long faced systemic discrimination and exclusion; therefore, EDL aims to counter that by supporting promising young people from these historically marginalized backgrounds to pursue legal education—and become advocates for justice.

Key components of the program include:

• Full-ride scholarships for the 5-year Bachelor of Legislative Law (LLB) degree at top law colleges in Nepal.
• Accommodation and food stipends.
• Extracurricular opportunities: leadership training, fieldwork, exposure to human-rights programs.
• Mentorship from human-rights lawyers, experience observing Nepal’s legal system and networking with legislators.
• Internship placement support and continued assistance as students prepare for the Nepali Bar Exam.

As a result, the EDL program not only builds individual careers but also nurtures future advocates who will champion justice, equality, and reform. As the first graduate of EDL, Pradip BK stands as living proof of how this program can turn structural obstacles into pathways for empowerment.

Looking Ahead

Today, with Pradip as the trailblazer, the next cohort of EDL scholars now have a tangible example of success to follow. As the program expands and additional students move through its pipeline, we expect not only rising academic performance but growing leadership, advocacy and systemic impact. The EDL Program is not just about producing lawyers—it’s about cultivating agents of justice who will uplift others.

Congratulations to Pradip, and to everyone who supported his journey: mentors, NYF staff, donors, and community partners. Together, your belief in the power of opportunity continues to create lasting change.

“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.