Category: NYF News
Psychological Care Camp at Olgapuri
Every spring, as the school year winds down and the holiday break begins, the Ankur Counseling Center team steps in with a unique and impactful initiative for the children at Olgapuri Children’s Village (OCV) — the Psychological Care (PC) Camp. Designed to provide both fun and growth, these camps create a supportive environment where children develop essential psychological skills through creativity, play, and hands-on activities.
Fostering Self-Awareness Through Engaging Themes
In 2024, the PC Camp focused on children in Grades 3-4, with the central theme of Self-Awareness. Over five enriching days, the camp explored different facets of self-understanding, encouraging children to connect deeply with their emotions, social relationships, and personal aspirations.
- Day 1: All About Me
The camp kicked off with activities centered on self-discovery. Children shared their favorite things, discussed their roles and responsibilities within the Olgapuri family. As well as explored their feelings and learning healthy ways to regulate emotions. - Day 2: My Social Circle
The focus shifted to relationships, with discussions about their biological families, Olgapuri family, and friendships. Through storytelling and drawing family portraits, children reflected on cherished memories and the importance of connection. - Day 3: Knowing Myself
Activities like mask-making helped children differentiate between their public and private selves. They also explored the concept of the real vs. ideal self, promoting self-acceptance and authenticity. - Day 4: Loving Myself
A day dedicated to self-compassion, children engaged in mirror exercises, practicing positive self-talk and affirmations. They identified personal strengths, celebrated physical features and qualities, and highlighted meaningful aspects of their lives. - Day 5: My Dreams, Hopes, and Wishes
The camp concluded with collage-making sessions, allowing children to visualize their dreams and aspirations. A reflective review of the camp helped consolidate their learning experiences.
At the camp’s closing, each child received a “strength name” — a title reflecting the positive qualities and behaviors they exhibited throughout the week. This recognition not only boosted their self-esteem but also reinforced their unique identities within the Olgapuri community.
Creative Activities for Holistic Growth
Undoubtedly, the PC Camp activities were designed to be interactive and meaningful. From crafting masks to symbolize different aspects of the self, to engaging in clay work for self-expression and healing, every exercise was thoughtfully curated to enhance emotional intelligence. Moreover, storytelling sessions, family portrait drawings, and hands-on projects helped children internalize lessons in a fun, memorable way.
Ankur Counseling Center: A Pillar of Mental Health Support
Beyond the annual PC Camp, the Ankur Counseling Center plays a vital role in the day-to-day lives of Olgapuri children. The center offers individual and group counseling, skills workshops, and support for house parents. Mental health care is seamlessly integrated into the children’s routines, fostering strong, healthy habits from an early age.
Following the profound loss of NYF’s founder, Olga Murray, in February 2024, Ankur’s role became even more critical. Olga, a beloved grandmother figure to many at Olgapuri, left an indelible mark on the hearts of the children. The Ankur team organized age-appropriate group sessions to help the children process their grief, complemented by a private memorial event where children shared heartfelt memories of Olga.
These efforts not only supported the children through their mourning but also reinforced the stability and permanence of Olgapuri as their home. The compassionate approach taken by Ankur and the Olgapuri team has proven instrumental in helping the children navigate this emotional journey with resilience and hope.
Building Trust, One Camp at a Time
Psychological Care Camps at Olgapuri are more than just seasonal activities; they are integral to NYF’s commitment to holistic child development. By addressing emotional well-being alongside physical health and education, these camps help children build confidence, develop coping strategies, and foster a sense of belonging.
Through Ankur Counseling Center’s dedicated efforts, Olgapuri remains a nurturing oasis where every child can thrive, heal, and dream.
NYF is so grateful to our generous donors for helping us provide a healthy upbringing for the remarkable kids at Olgapuri Children’s Village. Watching these kids grow and thrive is such a privilege for our team—and it creates incredible opportunities for the future for each child. Dhanyabad!
How we celebrated Olga’s life on Feb. 20th
The following is a letter from NYF President Som Paneru describing how the NYF Community in Nepal celebrated Olga’s life on the first anniversary of her passing. This letter was sent to our mail subscribers on February 20, 2025. If you did not receive this letter in your inbox and would like to, please subscribe to our email list here: https://nyf.news/join-us.
Dear Friends,
Today, the first anniversary of Olga’s passing, has been a bittersweet and heartfelt occasion here in Kathmandu.
In Nepal, the first anniversary following a loss of a loved one holds special significance, both religiously and culturally. As we approached this first anniversary, many of us felt drawn to celebrate Olga’s life in the ways we would honor the elders in our own families.
Our team put a great deal of thought and care into creating a day of remembrance especially for our beloved Olga didi. A day which commemorated Olga’s life and honored her unique place among us here in Nepal. A day which celebrated her role in bringing our diverse team together in this transformative shared mission.
Early this morning, the Olgapuri children, house parents, and Olgapuri staff members gathered at Olga’s statue for a private ceremony, offering flowers and sharing memories of their time with her.
Later, most of NYF’s Nepal staff, our Nepal-based board, and current Olgapuri Vocational School (OVS) trainees walked together from the OVS parking area to Olga’s statue (located at the donor dedication wall) for a larger flower ceremony and a moment of group reflection.
After lunch, several members of NYF leadership traveled to the Nepal Law Campus in Kathmandu, where many of our Educating Dalit Lawyers scholarship recipients are attending law school. Together, NYF and Nepal Law Campus have established a new award in Olga’s name: The Olga Murray Excellence Award for Law Students.
This award will be given to one young woman and one young man every year: those who have received the top scores on the nationwide law school entrance exam. Since Olga believed in the power of education, justice, and kindness, this award is given to students who we believe will uphold these values and translate them into their lives. Today marked the first award ceremony of many. Our first award recipients are Isha Paudel and Sarin Kadel.
Back at Olgapuri Children’s Village, after dinner, the children and house parents once again gathered at Olga’s statue, this time to light butter lamps in Olga’s honor. Butter lamps are a common sight in Buddhist temples and monasteries throughout the Himalayas.
108 butter lamps were also lit in Olga’s honor by Buddhist nuns at the Maya Devi Temple in Lumbini District. This ancient temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is traditionally considered the birthplace of Gautama Buddha. The site held special significance to Olga, and this recognition of her life highlights the deeply felt impact she has had in Nepal.
Finally, following the lamp lighting, the Olgapuri children gathered again for a heartfelt evening of connection, the sharing of memories, and the celebration of Olga’s love for the children themselves. Olga never wanted attention on herself. She always preferred to focus on uplifting the children around her. To honor this, the Olgapuri House Parents distributed special awards to the children, celebrating traits like leadership, compassion and kindness, excellence in sports, academic achievement, and integrity and service.
It has been a long day, with many events. We have laughed and celebrated in Olga’s memory—and we have also shed tears as we reflected on this time without her. We hope you have enjoyed the photos from these beautiful moments.
Throughout this day, I have been reminded many times of the wonderful work Olga made possible during her lifetime. And I have been reminded of my gratitude to you all, our remarkable community of supporters, who have so lovingly continued Olga’s incredible work during the past year.
Thank you for committing to our shared promise to Nepal’s children.
With love and gratitude,
Som Paneru
NYF President
One Year Without Olga Murray
A letter from NYF’s U.S. Team
As we near the one year anniversary of Olga Murray’s passing, our small U.S. team at the Nepal Youth Foundation (NYF) has been reflecting on the incredible life and legacy of our beloved founder. Olga’s vision, compassion, and unwavering belief in the potential of Nepali children have guided us through this past year as we continue to carry forward her life’s work.
Click here to visit Olga Murray’s memorial page to make a legacy donation in her honor, write a tribute message, and read more about her life and legacy.
What we’ve learned from Olga’s legacy of love and action
Earlier this year, in preparation for this letter, our team sat down together to share what we learned from Olga. Our discussion was long and varied, but one teaching sat unanimously at the top of our lists: “You’re never too old to pursue your passion.”
Olga founded the Nepal Youth Foundation in 1990, as she concluded her legal career in the California State Supreme Court. Already in her 60s, she embarked on what would become an extraordinary journey of service and passion, expanding her life in ways only few imagine. Just two years ago, during her last trip to Nepal in December 2022, she helped to launch NYF’s Caste Equality Project to fight caste-based discrimination in Dalit-majority villages in eastern Nepal. She was 97 at the time.
The mere existence of NYF will forever serve as a reminder to us all that it’s never too late to pursue a passion—and make a profound difference in the world at the same time.
Values we carry forward from Olga
One of Olga’s greatest gifts was her ability to see every individual she meets as a whole person—each with their own unique set of dreams, motivations, strengths, and quirks. Whether she was engaging with beneficiaries, staff members, or donors, Olga made genuine connections with each person. She understood that even from an organizational point of view, each person was more than just a number, or a donation, or a success story. To this day, we are determined to carry this philosophy forward in our continued work. It’s what makes NYF’s approach to our work so unique.
From the very beginning, Olga emphasized the importance of locally-led, community-driven programs. As she wrote in Olga’s Promise: “Perhaps most important of all is our conviction that the success of our undertakings depends on the buy-in, expertise, wisdom, and enthusiasm of the Nepali people themselves.” This principle continues to anchor our work. Every initiative we take on—whether at Olgapuri Children’s Village, through the Caste Equality Project, or our Nutritional Rehabilitation Home—is deeply rooted in the needs and leadership of local communities.
“Olga was a master storyteller, an optimist who believed everything would work out as it should. She was someone who embraced life’s twists and turns with confidence and grace. She taught us to lead with compassion and determination, to finish what we start, and to never lose sight of the joy in the work we do.”
Ryan Walls, U.S. Executive Director
Sustainability, compassion, and the long game are at the core of everything we do. Olga so often reminded us that small actions, when aligned with purpose, can create lasting change. When we speak of these values, we often reflect on the Empowering Freed Kamlaris program, which NYF launched in the early 2000s. Spanning over two decades, this program helped eradicate the harmful Kamlari practice, providing education and leadership opportunities for thousands of formerly indentured girls.
The Freed Kamlari Development Forum (FKDF)—established by the young women who once participated in the program—continues to thrive today, leading advocacy efforts and community development work. This sustainable, community-led model has become a blueprint for future initiatives like the Caste Equality Project, which is already making strides in dismantling caste-based oppression and expanding access to education and legal advocacy for Dalit communities.
We’re combining the lessons learned from Empowering Freed Kamlaris with our strong reputation as a committed scholarship provider to support young Dalit students in their journey to become human rights lawyers. By investing in the next generation of Dalit leaders, we remain focused on building a future rooted in justice and equality.
Over the past year, we have taken each of these values and lessons to heart, ensuring Olga’s legacy continues to shine brightly. From our work at Olgapuri Children’s Village to our Caste Equality Project, Nutritional Rehabilitation Homes, and beyond, we have remained focused on empowering Nepali children and communities. These programs honor Olga’s vision of creating opportunities and fostering hope, and there’s so much more to come.
Thank you to the NYF Community!
In 2024, we also saw an incredible outpouring of love and support from our NYF Community. Your belief in our mission and in Olga’s dreams have been our strength this past year. Every child we empowered, every family we uplifted, and every community we supported since last February is a testament to Olga’s enduring legacy.
As we look ahead, we remain laser-focused on the children who were always at the center of Olga’s heart. Her legacy is built through love and action, and it’s one we will honor by staying true to her vision of creating a brighter future for every child in Nepal.
Thank you for standing with us this year as we continue to celebrate Olga’s life by carrying her torch forward. Together, we are making her dream a reality and ensuring her story continues to inspire generations to come.
Plans for February 20, 2025
Our Nepal team has planned an entire day of loving celebrations to take place on February 20, 2025 at Olgapuri Children’s Village—so that students, staff, children, and other community members alike can come together on the one year anniversary of Olga’s passing to commemorate her life. This special day will include prayers, flower offerings, award distributions, and lots of opportunities to share stories. We’ll be sending out another email following this event with photos and more reflections about how the day went. (If you’d like to receive this email but haven’t yet subscribed to our list, please click here!).
NYF Update: Regarding USAID
At NYF, we know our supporters value transparency, and up-front, frank clarity on the issues we, and the Nepali children we serve, are facing. We’re honored by your trust in our organization. It is your trust and support that have helped us transform the lives of over 60,000 children in Nepal—and it is that same trust that will strengthen us through this new period of uncertainty.
USAID
You may have heard that over the last several weeks, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has begun undergoing some dramatic changes.
USAID, established by President John F. Kennedy in 1961, is an independent federal agency, responsible for administering civilian foreign aid and developmental assistance. It is one of the largest official aid agencies in the world, and has historically focused on disaster relief, poverty relief, socioeconomic development, and more.
As the Trump administration makes sweeping changes to this agency, including a near-total freeze on all foreign aid, the international nonprofit world is deeply concerned about the future. At NYF, we are also concerned. However, when it comes to our work, we are also full of hope, determination, and stubborn optimism. And when it comes to NYF, we think you should be, too.
Reasons for Confidence
1) NYF does not and has never received funding from the US government, including USAID. (We also do not receive funding from the Nepali government.)
Organizations who do receive USAID funding will soon be working to make up for any changes to come. This may put these organizations in competition with NYF for funding sources. Our team is watching closely to track any changes in our fundraising success. As of today, our organization is maintaining our steady pace forward thanks to our incredible community of loyal supporters.
2) Our on-the-ground team in Nepal has decades of experience providing life-changing programs during unprecedented times. NYF was founded during an incredibly dynamic time in Nepal’s history. Since 1990, Nepal’s system of government has changed from a monarchy to a democracy. Nepal experienced a civil war between 1995 and 2005. We provided critical, immediate rescue and rebuilding resources after the 2015 earthquake. We provided robust, life-saving support during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lessons learned and expertise developed during these crises have made our programs stronger.
3) NYF’s global team is drawing on wisdom shared by our beloved late founder, Olga Murray. Our organization is deeply rooted in Olga’s practical, hard-won optimism—a trait she developed over a 98-year lifetime filled with political turmoil and change.
When she founded NYF in 1990, Olga knew that no matter what changes come, the best way to fuel sustainable transformations is by empowering the rising generation of children. We follow her remarkable example every day at NYF.
4) Our incredible community of supporters and friends has never let us down. Back in 2020, during the first days of the COVID-19 pandemic, our team had no way of knowing what was in store. In partnership with you, our loving donors, we navigated those years of uncertainty together, determined to continue providing world-class care to the children we serve.
We are so grateful to our incredible network of supporters for the ways you circled around us in love and trust during those challenging years—and we are confident that together, we will weather these new changes with strength as well.
Our Commitment
NYF’s team is prepared to share updates with you if we find that our funding is being negatively impacted during the coming years, as well as insight into our responsive strategies. We’ll use the same frank, forthright messaging you’ve come to expect from us.
No matter what, our shared promise to Nepal’s children remains the same.
We are empowering Nepal’s next generation of forward-facing leaders. Generous support from friends all over the world has made this work possible for almost 35 years. At NYF, we have every intention of continuing this transformative journey for decades to come.
Thank you for meeting the moment with us.
With gratitude and determination,
The NYF US Team
Questions?
P.S. Please feel free to reach out to our team with any questions or concerns you may have about the ways NYF is impacted by current events.
Impact Stories of 2024
A collection of impact stories from 2024!
In 2024, the Nepal Youth Foundation (NYF) significantly expanded its impact, carrying forward the inspiring legacy of our beloved founder, Olga Murray. Generous support from the NYF Community in the last 12 months has helped us to strengthen our organization’s commitment to her vision—empowering children and families in Nepal with Education, Health, Shelter, and Freedom.
We’re so grateful for everything the NYF Community helped us to accomplish in 2024. To showcase some of the incredible impact we’ve created together in Nepal, we’ve compiled some of our favorite stories from the year. Please know that the stories shared here are only a handful of the thousands of journeys NYF has been a part of in 2024. We hope you enjoy reading them!
Sujata*
Kinship Care
Sujata, 7, was only 5 years old when her parents, overwhelmed by parenthood, dropped her off at her maternal uncle’s house and disappeared.
Sujata’s uncle committed to raising her alongside his own children. But the addition of another school-aged child to the family quickly put a strain on their financial situation. Thankfully, a teacher at Sujata’s Kathmandu school noticed that the family was struggling to keep everyone properly fed and in school. This teacher knew NYF had a program especially for families like theirs. She reached out to our Kinship Care Program Officer and social worker, Ram Babu Rai, for an assessment. Ram Babu soon met with Sujata and her family. They were overjoyed to learn that this program existed, and that NYF was determined to help them raise Sujata safely at home. The family began receiving Kinship Care support in October 2023. Ram Babu has been visiting in person every three months to ensure Sujata is healthy and safe.
Sujata is now in the second grade alongside her cousins. She is always very excited to show off her new clothes and schoolwork when her friend Ram Babu visits!
“I have seen NYF’s operations in Nepal firsthand, on the ground, as they expanded and completed projects over multiple decades. NYF is efficient, dedicated, and has an extraordinary local administration and staff in Nepal that has been working together for decades. NYF does not impose top-down solutions from a distance; it responds directly to the felt and articulated needs of the people it helps, using a vast body of local knowledge and experience.”
— Sean, Board Member
Subina*
Kinship Care, Day School Scholarships
When Subina, 23 (holding the infant in the photo), was expecting her first baby, she had high hopes for her child’s future. She and her husband live in a remote Gorkha District village, and, as members of a Dalit caste, they had experienced discrimination and hardship growing up. But they had made the most of their opportunities. They were doing well enough financially that they thought their child would be able to access better educational opportunities, building upon their hard-earned progress.
Then they received terrible news. Subina’s brother-in-law and sister-in-law had passed away suddenly in an accident, leaving behind four children. Subina and her husband were the only family these kids had left.
This loving auntie and uncle welcomed their grieving nieces and nephew into their home. They provided as much comfort and stability as they could. They couldn’t imagine doing anything differently, especially when the children were already going through so much.
But with a new baby on the way, the life that had seemed so full of potential was now completely out of reach. Subina and her husband struggled to take on the additional expense of feeding and clothing four growing children. Keeping the kids in school full-time seemed impossible.
Thankfully, the local school had been watching the situation closely. Soon enough, NYF’s Kinship Care officer, Ram Babu Rai, was knocking on Subina’s door to assess the situation and to offer solutions.
Kinship Care is a Shelter program, but wrapped into each Kinship Care stipend is a Day School Scholarship. Subina’s school-aged nieces and nephews were each added to the Kinship Care program. By the time Baby Bina* (far right) was born, Subina’s family financial situation was once again stable.
And thanks to Day School Scholarships for the oldest three kids, this family’s future is bright—for every child in the household.
“NYF is a remarkable non-profit dedicated to transforming the lives of Nepal’s most underprivileged children by providing essential healthcare, education, and a safe environment. Their mission is both vital and inspiring.”
— Grishma, Volunteer
Roshani*
College Scholarship Program
Roshani*, 20, comes from Jhapa District, on the furthest southeast corner of Nepal, bordering India. Her family struggled financially as she grew up, with no regular income. However, they recognized the strong academic potential in their daughter. They dreamed that one day she would become a doctor.
Due to her excellent grades and financial need, Roshani received a full scholarship for the 11th and 12th grades. She focused on the science background she would need to pursue a medical degree. She completed this secondary education with a GPA of 3.85.
During these studies, Roshani’s mother died of breast cancer. Knowing her mother wanted so badly for her to become a doctor has impacted Roshani deeply, motivating her studies. But medical expenses had drained her family’s already-limited resources, leaving the future uncertain.
Family friends supported Roshani as she took on entrance exam prep expenses. She was thrilled to win a seat at a medical school associated with Kathmandu University. Those same friends helped to support her through her 1st year—but the costs began to be too much to manage.
Roshani contacted her school’s administrators to ask for advice. They immediately reached out to NYF’s College Scholarship team, explaining the situation and providing Roshani with a glowing recommendation.
Now, Roshani is being personally sponsored by one of NYF’s generous donors. She is making the most of this remarkable opportunity. Roshani just completed her 2nd year of this prestigious five-year program. She is tremendously grateful to everyone who has helped her to chase her mother’s dreams—as well as her own.
“Psychosocial counseling was a new concept for me. After participating in this
training [hosted by NYF’s Ankur Counseling Center], I have realized that this type of training should be accessible to all the teachers and students in schools.”
— Participant in Ankur’s workshop on Psychosocial Counseling for the Nepal
National Teacher’s Association in January 2024, Beneficiary
Devendra*
College Scholarship Program
Devendra*, 27, comes from Rautahat District, a plains area along the border with India. His family struggled financially throughout his school years, but he was an excellent student. He successfully finished the 12th grade with strong marks.
Unfortunately, the family’s situation grew desperate. Devendra had to end his academic journey as he found a high-paying job in Saudi Arabia.
For eight years, Devendra supported his entire family—his parents, brother, wife, and daughter—with a monthly salary of 20,000-25,000 rupees. Devendra didn’t have room for career growth. He also missed his family. His daughter barely recognized him when he visited.
During one visit home, Devendra learned about Olgapuri Vocational School and joined our four-month welding training. He earned his certification in October 2023, and quickly got a job near Kathmandu making the same amount he was making in Saudi Arabia, plus perks like room and board. Spending time with family is easier now, and Devendra hopes to open his own contracting business once he has gained more experience.
“NYF is dedicated to improving the lives of children in Nepal and the results really show. They do amazing work, are open about their mission and goals, and are passionate to their cause. They are a great organization to support and I am glad I’ve been able to participate in a small way as a donor in the last few years.”
— Shayla, Supporter
Prakash* and Ram*
Boarding School Scholarship, Scholarships for Students with Disabilities
When Reeta Mahat, NYF’s social worker in charge of Day School Scholarships and Scholarships for Students with Disabilities, paid her regular visit to a Kathmandu Valley school, she was delighted to see Prakash*, 9 (left), and Ram, 9 (right), approaching her arm-in-arm on the sunny playground.
Both boys are NYF scholarship recipients. Prakash is receiving a Boarding School scholarship. Ram, who has a vision impairment, receives a Scholarship for Students with Disabilities.
The school Prakash and Ram attend is one of the only schools in Kathmandu Valley equipped to provide a solid education to disability-inclusive classes. Not all of the students live on campus, but kids like Prakash, who do, receive excellent care, including warm, nutritious meals and age-appropriate supervision. Teachers receive extra training in childhood development. NYF is very pleased with the quality of the education offered here, so we have placed multiple students at this school over the years.
As Reeta sat the boys down to chat, she learned that without even realizing they were both receiving NYF support, Prakash and Ram had become very close friends. Access to education is critical on its own, ensuring kids can overcome obstacles like generational poverty and disability discrimination to build their best lives possible. But friendships like theirs are another tremendous benefit of scholarship support.
Before our Boarding School support, Prakash had dropped out of school and was attempting to support himself through begging as his parents struggled with alcoholism. And without his disability-accommodating scholarship, Ram was stuck at home without any education. His tremendous potential was unnurtured.
But here at school together, Prakash and Ram are growing up with an awareness that each of them is worthy and capable of achieving great things. And that they are stronger together. They’re determined to help one another make the most of this opportunity. NYF is so proud to be ensuring they both receive a strong education. And we’re delighted that our support helped to put them on the path to such a beautiful friendship.
“It’s worth noting that its on-the-ground team (leadership and program staff) are native Nepalese — many of whom have personal experience with the challenges its kids are facing. I also like the fact that its programs are designed to be sustainable with long term impact – based on local need, potential and participation.”
— Leslie, Supporter
Asha*
Vocational Training & Career Counseling (Tea and Snacks Shop training)
Asha*, 19, lost her mother at age 9, and had to drop out of school to help manage the household. Then, at age 17, her family forced her to marry. She was in despair, thinking she would never experience any kind of real independence.
However, when she heard about NYF’s Tea & Snacks Shop training, Asha felt a surge of hope and signed up. This very popular course provides young women with streetside food preparation training, recipes for some of Nepal’s most popular street treats and on-the-go meals, small-business financial training, and business start-up support, including a food cart and cooking utensils. Nepali Chiya, or spiced Nepali milk tea, plays a special role in day-to-day life across Nepal, so streetside tea and snack vendors play a crucial role in local economies.
Immediately after completing the training, Asha set up shop. She quickly identified the most popular snacks in her area. Her shop is a great success, and the money she brings home gives her an elevated status in her new family, increasing her independence.
“We often engage in certain practices without fully comprehending the consequences, and the play effectively served as an eye-opener.”
— Community Member in Saptari District, after attending a public street drama performance put on by local girls as part of NYF’s Caste Equality Project
Anju Sada
Caste Equality Project in Saptari District
Anju Sada is known throughout her village for her colorful and cheerful artwork. She belongs to the Sada community in Saptari District—one of the most oppressed Dalit subcastes.”
In mid-2024, Anju became the first woman from her village’s Sada community to ever complete the 12th grade. She was able to accomplish this because her parents sent her to live with her uncle in another region for much of her childhood. Growing up in another community allowed her to master both Maithili (her native language) and Nepali.
When Anju first met NYF, she was accepting what she thought was a one-time translation job—a great opportunity to bring home extra income. But ever since our team shared details about the Caste Equality Project, Anju has been passionately supporting our work as a local advocate and leader.
Today, Anju is an inspiration to other local girls as she encourages them to stay in school. She’s NYF’s go-to local translator, providing vital community mobilization support.
“The Nepal Youth Foundation (NYF) is filled with people who are honest to the core and deeply passionate about their work. I’ve witnessed firsthand the joy and positive impact they bring to the communities they serve. Their dedication truly changes lives for the better.”
— Alex, Monthly Donor
Binita & Nitesh*
New Life Center (Medical Recovery Home)
Six-month-old Nitesh* comes from a tiny village in Siraha District in southeastern Nepal. Binita*, 17, contracted an infection when she was pregnant—and the infection caused health troubles for Nitesh when he was born.
Local medical workers were unable to provide the care Nitesh needed, so they referred the family to Kanti Children’s Hospital in Kathmandu. Binita had barely enough money to make the trip. She also had no idea where she would stay or what she would eat while in Kathmandu.
Fortunately, after Nitesh’s first tests and treatments, the hospital referred her to NYF’s New Life Center (a temporary recovery space for rural families visiting Nepal’s capital city of Kathmandu for critical medical treatment and surgery).
During a ten-day wait until her son’s follow-up appointment, Binita had a safe, warm place to stay and nutritious meals. The NLC nursing staff also worked with Binita to help her understand the doctor’s instructions, empowering her to provide Nitesh with the best possible care once she returned home.
At the end of their stay, Nitesh and Binita returned home refreshed, happy—and much healthier. Binita expressed deep gratitude for the help and support she received here.
“At first, I thought, since the service is free, why not see what happens. During my 14-day stay at the [NYF’s] Nutritional Rehabilitation Home (NRH), my child gained little weight, and I was not satisfied with the progress of my children. But after discharge, I noticed real changes. My children’s eating habits improved. They stopped demanding junk food, and we stopped giving it to them. Following the NRH routine at home, their weight has increased significantly.”
— Mother who received care at our NRH, Beneficiary
The kids at Olgapuri Children’s Village
Olgapuri Children’s Village
Since February 2024, extra care has been taken at Olgapuri Children Village as the children process the loss of NYF’s founder, Olga Murray. For the past 30+ years, Olga had been a personally involved grandmother figure and loving family member for the kids living here.
In any circumstance, the loss of such an important person requires processing and safe opportunities to grieve. Besides this, many of the children at Olgapuri have experienced the deaths of beloved adults before. These losses have been associated with incredible upheaval. Because of their personal histories, the children here are prone to hypervigilance regarding changes that may once again throw their lives into turmoil. Our remarkable team was aware that Olga’s passing would become an important moment to prove to these children that Olgapuri truly is a stable, permanent home for them—building trust in ways that will benefit the children tremendously moving forward.
A private memorial event was organized by the house parents in late February. Here, children were invited to share their memories of Olga as a community. Our Ankur team organized several extra group sessions, dividing the children by age, both to meet their different developmental needs and because older children were especially close to Olga, having spent much more time with her. The Ankur team reports that the children are each processing the loss in a healthy manner.
“From their role in eradicating the Kamlari practice to their support for education and skill-building at Olgapuri Children’s Village, NYF empowers children to become confident and independent. NYF’s efforts don’t just help individual children; they contribute to a stronger, more prosperous Nepal.”
— Sagun, Supporter
Tara Bishwakarma
Educating Dalit Lawyers
Tara, 18, is a member of Cohort Two of our Educating Dalit Lawyers program. She began law classes at Kathmandu’s prestigious Nepal Law College in January 2024.
Tara is the first high school graduate from her family, and the first to attend college. When she first arrived in Kathmandu to take NYF’s entrance exam prep classes, she had tremendous difficulty with the English language. She had to work extremely hard to develop proficiency. She was also contending with school-related trauma from her past, which threw frequent psychological blocks in her path. In the early days of exam prep, she says, she would read practice test questions at least ten times, trying to comprehend them, and she had more than a few days when she would return to her hostel feeling demoralized and embarrassed.
But Tara was resolute. She poured her efforts into reading English-language newspapers and practiced creative writing in English. She made rapid progress, developing confidence, daring to attempt creative answers on her practice tests, and challenging herself to not only pass, but to excel. When Tara sat for the national law school in the entrance exam, she achieved the 98th rank of all 1,000+ test takers, winning a seat at one of Nepal’s top law schools.
Tara grew up in Tripurasundari Rural Municipality in Dhading District, a hilly area of central Nepal. She is one of five siblings. Her father supports their large family through their tough traditional occupation of ironworking. Tara’s father was only able to complete the 3rd grade, as the culture discouraged the sons of Dalit families from seeking an education. Her mother was never provided with any opportunity for education; she manages the family household and looks after their small farm.
Growing up, Tara and her family experienced many forms of discrimination, including the outrage of untouchability. She had to be aware of which homes belonged to “higher”-caste families in her area, because members of Dalit families were forbidden to come too close to these homes or to touch anything that might belong to a member of a “higher” caste. In school, her strong academic performance was routinely dismissed because of her caste background. Some subjects, like the English language, were deprioritized in the curricula she had access to.
One of Tara’s elder brothers started his own career in social work, eager to improve conditions for the Dalit community. But he has faced multiple challenges in this career, many of them compounded by his lack of expertise in the law. Tara is inspired by her brother’s mission, and she chose to pursue a legal education to provide this vital support to her community. She believes that the knowledge of the law will help her identify the best ways to help Dalit people fight against the kind of atrocious discrimination she and her family have experienced. She tells us that she is eager to ensure the fundamental rights of people who are too often silenced by oppression.
As a lawyer, Tara’s goal is to provide free legal aid to members of her community who are being deprived of justice. She wants to represent the voice of the Dalit community in Nepal’s courts.
Tara’s academic journey—especially with the English language—is still ongoing. But her academic performance continues to improve. She is tremendously grateful to all those far-away allies who are making this scholarship possible for future lawyers from the Dalit community!
“The EDL program has been progressing remarkably well so far. From my perspective, it has not only provided aspiring Dalit lawyers with essential academic and professional opportunities but has also empowered them to challenge systemic barriers in the legal field. The participants have shown commendable dedication, and the program is steadily paving the way for greater inclusivity and justice.”
— Samikshya, Educating Dalit Lawyers student in Cohort One
Generosity from the NYF Community sustains our impactful programs, fostering growth and opportunity for the young people of Nepal. As we move through 2025, we’re thrilled to continue our community-led programs to bring Education, Health, Shelter, and Freedom to all those we serve.
2024 Year-in-Review
2024 was a significant and bittersweet year for NYF. In February, we said goodbye to our beloved founder, Olga Murray. Olga’s vision continues to be NYF’s compass as we carry out her legacy of empowering Nepal’s children and families with Education, Health, Shelter, and Freedom.
Amid our loss, we will also remember the year for many hopeful and exciting reasons, too. We achieved so much together. To honor all the significant moments of this remarkable year, we’ve created a special timeline of the year that notes many of our accomplishments and events. Please note that many of our more transformative programs—NYF’s flagship Nutritional Rehabilitation Home, our Vocational Training courses, New Life Center’s Medical Recovery Home, Ankur Counseling Center, Olgapuri Children’s Village, and our various scholarship programs—are ongoing and did not get included in the timeline below.
Thank you to all those in the NYF Community for standing with us through such a pivotal year. Your support for our work is appreciated even more than you know.
7,710
children received* nutrition screening through NYF
955
students received* scholarships from our education programs
935
youths trained* in NYF’s various vocational training courses
86%
of trainees found employment within 3 months of graduating
2
Community Learning Centers inaugurated in Saptari District
86
children* called Olgapuri Children’s Village their home
1,549
counseling sessions* completed by Ankur Counseling Center
20,300
individuals reached* through NYF’s transformative programs
*based on reporting from NYF’s last fiscal year between June 2023 and July 2024
As we look ahead to 2025, support from our NYF Community is more critical than ever. If you haven’t already, we hope you’ll consider making a gift today:
The Ankur team organized their annual Psychological Care Camp for the younger kids at Olgapuri Children’s Home. The kids spent time with our incredible counselors for lots of fun and many grounding activities.
On January 27th, our Caste Equality Project (CEP) team conducted an intensive 10-day residential training program for a group of ten local girls from Tirhut Rural Municipality, facilitated by trainers from the Aarohan Gurukul School of Theatre. The project draws inspiration from the impactful street drama programs from NYF’s anti-Kamlari movement in early 2000s. The newly-trained youths will perform street plays throughout 2024 (and beyond!) to raise awareness against caste discrimination and social malpractices prevalent in the communities we are working with.
In February 2024, over 100 people gathered to watch ten girls from Tirhut Rural Municipality, Saptari District, perform their first street drama as part of the Caste Equality Project’s Street Drama Activism. Their play tackles various scenarios related to child marriage. This included dowry negotiations by the groom’s family and self-serving middlemen, the squandering of dowry funds on alcohol, a daughter’s stand against her forced marriage, and harmful consequences for girls experiencing early marriage.
On February 20, 2024, Olga Murray, adored founder and inspirational leader of Nepal Youth Foundation, passed away peacefully at her home in Sausalito, California. Olga leaves behind a tremendous legacy—over 34 years of work that was made possible through the NYF Community. Visit Olga Murray’s memorial page.
In March 2024, Ankur counselors organized special sessions to help children grieve the loss of Olga Murray. The sessions helped the children to bring back their fond memories of Olga and deal with her loss in healthy ways. The sessions concluded with each child writing a letter to Olga.
NYF welcomed newest full-time staff member, Aryaa Regmi, to the U.S. team on March 6th. As a Nepali-American with a background in international development and nonprofit advocacy work, Aryaa has brought tremendous passion and insight to NYF’s fundraising and communications work.
On April 4th, NYF hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of two new community centers in Saptari District. The ceremony was completed in collaboration with village members, and a respected elder named Chebli Sada performed a “jag puja,” or foundation blessing, to purify the land. These Community Centers will serve as vital hubs for Caste Equality Project programs.
In mid-April, thirty girls (aged 13 to 19) from the rural municipality of Tirhut in Saptari District, traveled with our staff to Olgapuri Village as part of the Caste Equality Project to participate in a five-day Peer Counseling training at our very own Ankur Counseling Center. The training began April 23rd. Building peer counseling skills within individuals will help empower young leaders to make an impact in their own communities.
Spring 2024 marked the beginning of the School Enrollment Campaign in Saptari District through our Caste Equality Project. Beginning in April, our team worked hard to organize all kinds of activities and programming to boost school enrollment in Tirhut Rural Municipality, including:
- Making door-to-door visits to chat with parents, encouraging them to enroll their children in school and answering any questions they may have
- Distributing hundreds of school uniforms and bags to children in the region (handmade by our industrial tailoring students enrolled at Olgapuri Vocational School!)
- Coordinating rallies around villages
- Running return-to-classroom bridge tutoring classes for 60 girls who previously dropped out of school
- Offering free nutritious mid-day lunches in classrooms
The School Enrollment Campaign ran until May 10th. Our team saw an increase of 35% in enrollment over 2023 numbers, with 820 children enrolled in school for the 2024-2025 school year.
On May 3rd, NYF kicked off rallies for the School Enrollment Campaign of our Caste Equality Project. Community members and students took to the streets with handmade posters and marched through their communities while chanting inspirational slogans like, “Send all children to school/leave no one behind!” & “Quality education is our right!”
As part of the Educating Dalit Lawyers program, a National Conference on “Caste in the Judiciary & Dalit’s Access to Justice” was organized on May 7, 2024. All 31 EDL scholars and stakeholders participated in the workshop.
On May 30th, the NYF community of supporters gathered in San Francisco at Founder’s Day for a bittersweet evening as we reflected on Olga’s remarkable life, celebrated her transformative legacy in Nepal, and recommitted to our shared promise to Nepal’s rising generation. It was a record-breaking fundraising event for NYF. Read our event recap here.
NYF celebrates another batch of graduates from our Industrial Tailoring course at Olgapuri Vocational School! We were so honored to have Manjali Shakya, Deputy Mayor of Lalitpur Metropolitan City, join us.
Monthly Mental Health Desk (Man Chautari) has continued in three schools as part of NYF’s Community Mental Health Program, which was launched in July 2023 by Ankur Counseling Center in partnership with Ward 22 of Lalitpur Metropolitan City to address the rising mental health crisis in the communities. This July, an additional Man Chautari was added in a new school.
On July 31, 2023, NYF’s Ankur Counseling Center launched the Community Mental Health Program to fight Nepal’s growing mental health crisis. This year, we marked one year of success of the program, which is increasing access to mental health services and raising awareness about this topic in communities across Kathmandu Valley. Read more about the program here.
On August 8th, NYF’s Vocational Education team organized a Career Orientation Program for youths in Konjyosom Rural Municipality. These orientations are given before training to share information about career prospects to local youths. It also serves as a way for our team to identifying a community’s needs and interests.
A four-day camp was conducted from September 9-12 in Melamchi Municipality of Sindhupalchowk district. The Nutrition Outreach camps were held in four different locations in 4 days. Altogether, 1,454 children received nutrition screening among which 36% were found malnourished 12 children with SAM (Severe Acute Malnutrition) 94 children with MAM (Moderate Acute Malnutrition), and 415 children with mild malnutrition.
On September 25, 2016, Olgapuri Children’s Village opened its doors to provide a permanent, loving home for children whose parents are unable to care for them. On the 27th of September in 2024, the kids and staff at Olgapuri celebrated this special occasion with a joyful array of performances, including vibrant dances and creative skits.
On October 2nd, Ankur Counseling and Training Center organized an early World Mental Health Day celebration for students in three local schools. From powerful artwork on mental health done by Grade 6-8 students to moving poems by the teachers, the event was a beautiful showcase of creativity and awareness. NYF also presented results from a study done on the effectiveness of mental health desks (Mann Chautari), which is a program run under our Community Mental Health Program.
NYF worked on a flood/landslide relief campaign in coordination with the ward offices of Lalitpur Sub-Metropolitan City. Our team distributed relief items, including gas stoves, cooking utensils, mattresses, bedding, and food (large bags of rice, lentils, oil and other groceries) to affected families whose homes were totally destroyed either in the flood or by landslide. Read about the devastating flooding and landslides here.
Urmila Chaudhary is a fearless NYF graduate and advocate who transformed her liberation from bonded servitude into a lifelong fight for justice. On October 21, 2024, she was honored in Washington, D.C., with the prestigious Global Anti-Racism Champions Award, recognizing her dedication to advancing the rights of marginalized communities and combating systemic racism in Nepal. Her relentless activism helped liberate thousands of girls, co-found the Freed Kamlari Development Forum, and secure the Supreme Court’s 2013 ban on the practice. Now in the final semester of her Bachelor of Legislative Law program, Urmila is preparing to amplify her fight against injustice through legal advocacy.
On October 21st, members of the NYF U.S. team and the Board of Directors joined our Nepali colleagues and others as we commemorated and celebrated Olga’s life at Olgapuri Children’s Village. Over 450 guests attended the ceremony. We were deeply honored to be joined by many special guests, including Nepal’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honorable Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba, who was a close and dear friend of Olga’s.
Thanks to the global NYF Community, NYF meets our ambitious GivingTuesday fundraising goal of $13,284 to provide free nutritious lunches for all 820 children enrolled in school in Saptari District through June 2025 (this campaign is part of the Caste Equality Project).
In early December, NYF organized a four-day Nutrition Camp in the Khadadevi Rural Municipality of Ramechap district, located just southeast of Kathmandu. This camp reached children across all nine nearby villages. Our nutrition team screened 1,099 children, identifying 280 cases of malnutrition—a reminder of the urgent need to continue address this pervasive issue.
On December 30th, our Caste Equality Project team distributed warm clothing to over 700 children in Saptari District. This was made possible due to a generous donation from an NYF friend.
Thank you again for all your help making 2024 such a significant year for NYF. We hope you’ll consider helping us make an even greater impact in 2025!
Holiday Wishes 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, 2024. If you’d like to receive messages like this in the mail, please subscribe to our email list here.
Dear NYF Community,
After your love and generosity during Nepal’s festival season at Dashain and Tihar, it is now our turn to send warm holiday wishes to all of you.
When we ask our graduates about their experiences with NYF, most of them mention holiday celebrations. Of course, they are tremendously grateful for the opportunity to receive a good education, for excellent healthcare, for nutritious meals, and for a safe, stable home. But happy festival memories bound them together as a family.
Our late founder, Olga Murray, always understood intuitively that alongside our wonderful programming, the children in our care needed these joyful traditions. These special times bring us together, creating a shared sense of belonging.
This is our first holiday season since Olga’s passing. It is a bittersweet occasion. The holidays are not the same without her mischief and laughter.
But even this is part of what makes these occasions important. Cherished festival traditions provide opportunities to remember those who came before us, to remember everything they made possible.
This holiday season, I am tremendously grateful for all the years we spent with Olga—and for all the ways she showed her love for Nepal’s children. I am grateful that her work introduced us to all of you, our generous supporters. And I am so moved by the way you have embraced Olga’s promise to the children of Nepal, and made it into Our Shared Promise.
Thank you all for sharing this remarkable year with us, and for your loving commitment to our shared promise. We wish you and yours a warm and joyful holiday season, and love and prosperity in 2025.
Som Paneru, President
Nepal Youth Foundation
Educating Dalit Lawyers Program Fall 2024 Update
The Nepal Youth Foundation is thrilled to share the latest developments in our Educating Dalit Lawyers (EDL) scholarship program. This transformative initiative is supporting 31 aspiring lawyers from Nepal’s Dalit community as they pursue legal education and work to break barriers of caste-based discrimination.
Since our last update in Spring 2024, the EDL program has continued to grow. Students are excelling both academically and in extracurricular activities. Many are now focusing on specialized areas such as child rights, women’s rights, and policy development. These are fields that urgently need Dalit representation.
Read on to learn more about the incredible strides being made by these determined future leaders!
*Please note that our team has received permission from each of these students to use their real names in updates moving forward.
Program Highlights
This fall, the EDL program reached significant milestones. This included the Mentorship Initiative, where students get paired with mentors working in legal professions. All second-cohort students were paired with their respective mentors, who will offer practical advice, constructive feedback, and emotional support to guide the students in their legal journeys.
Student Achievements:
- Sarita Mijar participated in a Moot Court Training Session, focusing on International Criminal and Commercial Law, where she honed her skills in research, advocacy, and parliamentary procedures.
- Amrita Darji, a 5th-semester student, attended a Law, Politics, and Justice conference, exploring the interplay between legal frameworks and social justice.
- Pradip Nepali engaged in a Mock Parliament Simulation, developing his legal research and argumentation skills through immersive practice.
Leadership and Advocacy:
On July 27th, 2024, Dalit law students in the Kathmandu Valley formally established the Dalit Law Students’ Society, a groundbreaking initiative providing support and resources to Dalit students pursuing legal education. Nine of the 14 founding members are NYF’s very own EDL scholarship recipients, highlighting the profound impact of the program. EDL superstar Shishir Bishwakarma was elected as president, Rudra Bahadur Sarki as secretary, and Tara Bishwakarma as joint secretary!
This society, supported by Dignity Initiative, aims to:
- Coordinate caste-related fieldwork and human rights programs.
- Facilitate leadership training and networking opportunities.
- Build a fraternity-style network to assist final-semester students with internships and career placements.
As a result, by organizing this society, our EDL students are paying forward the generosity they’ve received, creating pathways for future Dalit law students to succeed and advocate against caste-based oppression.
Additionally, EDL students eagerly participated in the global event, “Breaking the Caste Bars: Sustainable Development Goals Framework for Justice and Inclusion of Dalits.” This high-level virtual discussion featured speakers from Nepal’s government and a global network of civil society organizations addressing caste-related issues.
In short, the program explored the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) from a Dalit perspective, highlighting how caste influences a wide range of international challenges. It also provided opportunities for students to build global connections.
Spotlighting Excellence:
Ghanashyam Bishwakarma, 19, received the prestigious Glocal Teen Hero award for his advocacy efforts. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ghanashyam used radio broadcasts to share safety information with remote communities. Since his tween years, he has shown remarkable leadership, in issues including child protection, climate justice, and ending child marriage.
Shishir Bishwakarma, a third-semester EDL scholar and president of the Dalit Law Students’ Society, was elected to Nepal’s Youth Sounding Board, an EU initiative amplifying youth voices in global policy. From August 2024 to September 2025, he’ll work with 30 young leaders to advise the EU office in Nepal on youth-focused programming.
Looking Ahead
Your support is enabling Dalit students to thrive in Nepal’s competitive law programs and to advocate for justice and equality. As they advance in their studies, these students are emerging as advocates for child rights, women’s rights, and policy development. Their work is driving efforts to dismantle caste-based oppression at systemic levels.
Dhanyabad!
Thank you for standing with us and these courageous students as we create pathways to justice and empowerment. We look forward to sharing more updates in Spring 2025!
Urmila Chaudhary & Rising Leaders in Saptari District
Urmila Chaudhary receives the Global Anti-Racism Champions Award
On October 21, 2024, NYF’s own Urmila Chaudhary was in Washington, D.C., one of six civil society leaders receiving the Global Anti-Racism Champions Award from the U.S. Secretary of State.
This prestigious award honors Urmila’s dedication to advancing the rights of marginalized castes and ethnic communities across Nepal and for combatting systemic racism and intersectional abuses. It brings us such joy to see Urmila’s remarkable accomplishments recognized on the world stage in this way.
NYF President Som Paneru first met Urmila in 2007 when she was 17 years old. She had been trapped in kamlari bonded servitude since age 6. She learned about NYF’s work from a brochure about street dramas being performed by girls like herself who had been liberated. Soon, she began seeking us out in a daring bid for her own freedom.
When Urmila returned to her village in Dang District, she joined an ongoing rally against the bonding practice before stopping to reunite with her family. She immediately became a relentless force and leader within her community, determined to ensure the freedom of the many others who were still enslaved.
- Urmila performed in street plays to raise awareness.
- She stormed outgoing buses at checkpoints to ensure no girls were being sold.
- She visited the families of young girls, convincing them not to send their daughters away.
- A natural leader, Urmila was one of the founders of the Freed Kamlari Development Forum.
- In 2013, Urmila was even hospitalized after being beaten unconscious by police during a peaceful demonstration. Footage of the brutality experienced by Urmila and other demonstrators was broadcast on national TV. It permanently turned Nepal’s people against the kamlari practice. By the end of the year, Nepal’s Supreme Court had formally outlawed the practice.
Perhaps most remarkable of all is this: Urmila accomplished all of this while still attending school. Urmila had never set foot in a classroom before being sold into bondage. Following an academic bridging course, Urmila enrolled in Grade 5 alongside 10- and 11-year-olds, taking on school at the same time that she was becoming one of the fiercest, most active leaders in the Kamlari Freedom movement. Today, she is in the final semester of her Bachelors of Legislative Law program at one of Nepal’s best law schools.
Urmila will use that law degree to continue her lifelong fight against injustice.
As we reflect on Urmila’s story, we see the same spark and passion in the young people we are serving in Saptari District. In these earliest days of the Caste Equality Project, several young women have already distinguished themselves as superstars—born leaders capable of achieving tremendous change for their communities. Please scroll down to learn more about two of these leaders, Renu and Anju.
Our Caste Equality Project is helping them unlock their remarkable potential.
For nonprofit organizations like ours, the “Giving Season” between now and the end of the year determines how much we can accomplish in the new year. Thanks to the success of the Empowering Freed Kamlaris program, we already have a proven roadmap for extraordinary, community-led change.
But only your help can keep the wheels in motion. The loving gifts you send right now determine how many young people NYF can support next year.
We’re hoping to raise an additional $250,000 by December 31st to ensure that we can reach as many kids and young adults as we can in 2025. The more you give, the more people we can support.
NYF’s transformative work has always been fueled by loving supporters like you. We hope you’ll consider making a donation today.
At NYF, we know how powerful young people can be, with the right support. With passionate leaders like Urmila, the Tharu girls we liberated in the early 2000s ended the terrible kamlari practice within a single generation. Today, we’re already identifying powerful young Dalit leaders in Saptari District. Will you help empower them in 2025?
Meet the rising leaders in Saptari District:
Renu Kumari Sada, 20
Renu Kumari Sada is an upbeat, optimistic young woman who grew up in a family of ten. She is part of the Sada community, a Dalit subcaste that experiences intense discrimination even from other Dalit groups.
Renu’s family relies entirely on income from agricultural labor jobs, so she was only able to attend school through grade three. After that, she needed to help support the family, which she did through household chores and farming.
When she was only 13, Renu’s family married her off to a local young man. But her husband soon moved another woman into their marital home, calling her his “new” wife. Humiliated, Renu returned to her family home, locked into a life with no future prospects, and full of social rejection—all before she ever reached adulthood.
Everyone in the village, even Renu’s family, blamed her for this misfortune. Everything would have been fine, they said, if she had only been able to make her husband happy.
Renu was living with her parents in March 2024, when she heard about a community gathering nearby. NYF was presenting information on the career training programs available through Olgapuri Vocational School. Our team hoped to include these programs in the first year of Caste Equality Project work in Saptari District.
Most young people in Saptari District’s Dalit-majority villages were too anxious to sign up for vocational training this year. These communities have endured so many broken promises, casteist obstacles, and exploitation that many parents discouraged their adult children, believing that after our training programs, any job opportunities would disappear. Their families, they thought, would end the year in worse financial condition than they began.
But where others expected a dead end, Renu saw an escape hatch.
Renu enrolled in NYF’s Industrial Tailoring training program with tremendous enthusiasm, leaving her village for the first time ever and moving to Kathmandu. Despite her limited educational background, she committed herself to mastering the math and literacy skills needed to enter this new career path. Today, Renu is thriving at work in Kathmandu’s garment industry—and her success has been noticed back home.
Inspired young adults in Saptari District are looking at vocational training opportunities with greater interest. After only a few months, Renu is putting money aside in savings and also sending some home to her family.
Anju Sada, 20
Anju Sada, 20, has already left a positive mark on her village through her artwork. Like Renu, Anju belongs to the Sada community. Most of the buildings in their village are simple, traditional structures made of mud, bamboo, thatch, and wood. The method of insulating with mud allows for intricate decorative patterns sculpted on the walls.
During the COVID lockdowns, Anju began experimenting with paints, enhancing the designs on nearby homes with beautiful colors. She refreshes the colors every Tihar, when Nepalis traditionally deep clean their homes for the coming year.
For this young woman from the most oppressed subcaste of all, this cheerful artwork was a kind of defiance. Despite generations of harmful messaging about her place in the world, Anju knew that she and her neighbors deserved to be surrounded by joy and beauty. And she was determined to create as much of that beauty as she could.
Anju was a local trendsetter before NYF ever arrived—she was our first local teammate when we arrived in Saptari District!
In mid-2024, Anju became the first woman from her village’s Sada community to ever complete the 12th grade. She was able to accomplish this because her parents sent her to live with her uncle in another region for much of her childhood. Growing up in another community allowed her to master both Maithili (her native language) and Nepali—but it also separated her from her cultural heritage.
When Anju first met NYF, she was accepting what she thought was a one-time translation job—a great opportunity to bring home extra income. But her eyes lit up as our team described the Caste Equality Project.
She’s been a passionate local Caste Equality Project leader ever since.
Today, Anju is an inspiration to other local girls as she encourages them to stay in school. She’s NYF’s go-to local translator, providing vital community mobilization support. And she’s also been working as a paid volunteer, helping girls who recently dropped out of school to rejoin their peers in the classroom.
