NYF Update: Catastrophic Flash Flooding

You may have seen news coverage of the catastrophic flash flooding that struck the Nepal-Tibet border region on August 26. The disaster, triggered by a glacial collapse and landslide near Rasuwa district, has killed hundreds, left nearly two thousand missing, and affected communities across Rasuwa, Nuwakot, and Dhading districts. Preliminary estimates indicate that 17,000 children have been affected. NYF is ready to mobilize. Read our letter below as we share what we know and how our team is planning to respond. If you have any questions, please reach out to us at info@nepalyouthfoundation.org.

August 28, 2026

Dear NYF Community,

We are writing this letter with heavy hearts as we continue to learn more about the catastrophic flash flooding that struck the Nepal-Tibet border region on August 26. Triggered by a glacial collapse and landslide, this disaster has devastated communities across Rasuwa, Nuwakot, and Dhading districts.

First, thank you. So many of you have reached out to members of our team both in Nepal and the United States to ask how everyone is doing. Your messages of concern and care have meant more than we can express.

We want to share what we know at this time. We are grateful to report that all of the children, students, and staff at Olgapuri Children’s Village are safe. Our U.S. team remains in close contact with our team in Nepal as they navigate the situation in real time while continuing to check in with children, young people, staff, and communities connected to Nepal Youth Foundation (NYF) programs and scholarships across the country.

We know that the impact of this disaster extends far beyond NYF’s programs. NYF’s mission has always centered on helping Nepal’s children and young people build healthy, educated, and empowered lives. And when Nepal faces moments of extraordinary need, we do what we can to support the country we care so deeply about. This time is no different.

Building on decades of experience in Nepal, including lessons from the 2015 earthquake and the COVID-19 pandemic, the Nepal team has developed a four-point response plan that puts NYF’s existing facilities, staff, and programs to work for children and families affected by this disaster. You can read more about the response plan on our website.

With so much still unknown, we know this response may need to adapt as needs and priorities change in the weeks ahead. NYF will continue to focus on where our resources and deep roots in Nepal can fill critical gaps, while ensuring those already connected to our programs remain safe and supported.

Even as we respond to this extraordinary moment, NYF’s ongoing work continues. The children and young people who rely on our programs every day will continue to need our care and support in the months ahead. Our response to this disaster is an extension of that commitment, not a replacement for it.

We will keep our NYF Community updated as we learn more. In the meantime, you can read the latest information about NYF’s four-point response plan and our ongoing efforts on our website here.

Our hearts remain with the people of Nepal, all those affected, and families around the world waiting for news of their loved ones. In the difficult days ahead, we will continue to stand alongside the children, families, and communities we have been privileged to serve for more than three decades.

With Nepal in our hearts,
The Nepal Youth Foundation U.S. Team

A Gift that Outlasts a Lifetime

Make A Will Month 2026

Every August, Nepal Youth Foundation (NYF) marks National Make-A-Will Month. It’s an annual reminder to think about the people and causes you love, plan for your future, and ensure your wishes are recorded exactly the way you want them.

Planning for your future is more important, and much easier, than many people realize. We hope you’ll take this time to reflect on your estate plans—and consider making a legacy gift to NYF.

Why Estate Planning Matters

Estate planning isn’t just about money. It’s about love and the peace of mind that comes from caring for the people and causes you cherish most.

Depending on your state’s laws, the absence of a will may result in your estate being distributed by a court system that does not understand your values or your relationships. It may also increase the tax burden on your heirs. This process can be slow, costly, and out of your family’s hands, with assets frozen the entire time. An up-to-date estate plan spares your loved ones extra time, money, and stress during what is already a difficult and emotional time.

Whether your estate is large and complex, or small and simple, all adults should have a will!

Including a gift to NYF (or another nonprofit) in your will

When creating or reviewing your will, you can choose to leave a part of your estate to a nonprofit like NYF. Sometimes, leaving a “legacy gift” is a great way to reduce estate taxes for your heirs. It also costs you nothing during your lifetime, but will make a tremendous impact on causes close to your heart for years to come.

At NYF, a legacy gift doesn’t need to be large to make an incredible, lasting impact. A bequest of $10,000, for example, can keep a 6-year-old girl in school for 12 years. That means her education can be secured from her first day of primary school all the way to graduation. This is the impact a single gift, planned today, can have on a child’s entire future.

When you include NYF in your will, your legacy gift goes directly toward programs that protect and empower children and youth in Nepal:

• At Olgapuri Children’s Village, legacy gifts ensure the kids in our care can continue to be loved, nourished, educated, and cared for in a family-style environment—in perpetuity.
• Through our vocational education program, bequests allow hundreds of teenagers and young adults to access the skills and resources they need to put food on their tables and dignity in their hands for the rest of their lives.
• A planned gift guarantees that a child being raised by extended relatives through our Kinship Care program never has to leave the community that knows and loves them the most.
• A gift in your will ensures that children experiencing malnutrition continues to receive all the care they need at NYF’s Nutritional Rehabilitation Home to grow into healthy adults with empowered futures.

And above all, planned gifts secure the future of NYF’s programs. They help us withstand unexpected disasters, like pandemics and earthquakes, and give us the stability we need to keep serving Nepali children well into the future.

Olga’s Own Commitment

Our founder, Olga Murray, was one of the driving forces behind the creation of the Legacy Circle. The Legacy Circle is our way of saying Dhanyabad, or Thank You, to those who remember us in their estate plans. She became its first member by including NYF as a beneficiary in her own estate plans, helping ensure her life’s work would continue beyond her lifetime.

Today, NYF’s Legacy Circle has grown to almost 60 members. Each member has made a personal and generous decision to protect the children in NYF’s programs for generations to come. Among them is Arlin, from California, who first fell in love with Nepal in 2002 while hiking:

“I’m very pleased to be able to support NYF now, but I want to continue after I’m gone. There is so much need, and the US dollar goes a long way in Nepal. I know what I’m leaving will help NYF continue its essential work helping the Nepali people have better lives.”

Every Legacy Circle member has their own story of how Nepal, and NYF, found a permanent place in their heart. What they share is a decision to make that generosity and love last well beyond their lifetimes.

Ways to join our Legacy Circle: It’s simpler than you think!

There’s no minimum bequest required to join NYF’s Legacy Circle. All you need to do is let us know you’ve included NYF in your estate plans.

Thankfully, there are many ways to include a gift to NYF in your will. Some popular ways include leaving a specific amount, leaving a percentage of a donor’s total wealth, or designating the remainder of a donor’s estate after other bequests have been paid. Many of these options may also lower the tax burden on your family. Visit our Planned Giving page to learn more!

Additionally, if you decide to designate a charity as a beneficiary, it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. You can always decide to leave any percentage you wish to one or multiple charities.

Already included NYF in your estate plans but aren’t sure we know about it? Please let us know so we can properly welcome you into the Legacy Circle and say thank you.

Let’s chat!

If you’d like to have a no-pressure, no-obligation chat with a member of our team, we’d love to sit down with you and help you think about what your legacy at NYF could look like. Because at the end of the day, a will isn’t just a legal document. It’s one of the most personal, hopeful things you’ll ever write. And we hope this is the year you write it—no matter where you are in your life.

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

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

Dear NYF Community,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

With love and gratitude, 

Benju Lwagun
NYF-Nepal Board Member & Program Alumna

Celebrating Student Success: SEE Results in Nepal

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

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

Preparing Students for the SEE

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

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

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

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

Meet Prajita*

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

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

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

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

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

Meet Sanjiv*

Success doesn’t stop after the SEE.

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

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

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

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

Thank you & Dhanyabad!

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

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

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

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.“

Women’s History Month 2026

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

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

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

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

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

Meet the Women Leading Change:

Nirmala Gyawali

Olgapuri Children’s Home Alumna

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dr. Alisha Rasaili

Empowering Dalit Daughters Alumna

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

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

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

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

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

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

Budhani Tharu

Vocational Education, Industrial Tailoring Graduate

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

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

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

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

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

Honoring Olga Two Years Later

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Olga’s Legacy Lives On

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

Remembering Olga, Together

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

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

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

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