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.

The Olgapuri Carnival is officially underway!

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

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

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

Stories of Impact in 2025

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

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

Harkaman
Scholarships for Students with Disabilities

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

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

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

Girls’ Education in the Balami Community
Kinship Care

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

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

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

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

Anita
NYF’s New Life Center

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

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

Sudina
Scholarship Program

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

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

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

Rakshya
Day School Scholarship & College Scholarship Program

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

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

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

Roman
Vocational Education and Career Counseling (VECC)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jitendra
Vocational Training & Career Counseling, Caste Equality Project

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

That changed in 2023, when Jitendra enrolled in NYF’s Building Electrician Training program in Tirhut Rural Municipality. After 390 hours of training, he graduated with a certificate and a brand-new toolbox—giving him the confidence to begin a new journey, not just for himself, but for his family.

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

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

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

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

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

Maya
New Life Center

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

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

Saugat
College Scholarship Program

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

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

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

2025 Highlights

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

Celebrating 147 diplomas in 2025

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

Rate of malnutrition dropped by 30% in 2025

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

First Educating Dalit Lawyer graduated

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

3 new Community Learning Centers constructed

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

Success at Olgapuri Children’s Village!

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

New vocational training school in Dhangadi

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

One-Day Nutrition Training in Saptari District

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

More Community Learning Center success!

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

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

Happy Holidays from Nepal!

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

Dear NYF Community,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Yellow Dal Recipe – A Taste of Olgapuri

Our gift to you!

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

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

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

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

Yellow Dal Recipe (Olgapuri style)

Base Ingredients

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

Ingredients for Tadka (tempering)

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

Instructions

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

Did you know?

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

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

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

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