NYF Update: The Power of Community
September 25, 2025
Thank you again to the global NYF Community for keeping Nepal and NYF in your thoughts. While the recent unrest has been deeply challenging, we are comforted by your support and solidarity.
Our U.S. team is maintaining close communication with our colleagues in Nepal. Children are beginning to return to school, some are continuing classes online, and families across Nepal are preparing for Dashain (Sept. 22 to Oct. 7), the country’s most cherished festival. This 15-day celebration honors the triumph of good over evil with special devotion to Durga, the powerful mother goddess. It is a time of blessings, family gatherings, and shared traditions.
This year, the importance of community feels especially profound. During Dashain, many of us share blessings and wishes with loved ones near and far. If you would like to join in, NYF’s new Dashain eCards are a meaningful way to send warm greetings while also supporting children and families in Nepal.
As life in Nepal gradually stabilizes, NYF’s work to provide safety, care, and opportunity continues without interruption. At Olgapuri Children’s Village, that commitment was on full display today as children, staff, and caregivers gathered to celebrate the 9th anniversary of this special home.
Olgapuri Day
Since 2016, September 25th has been celebrated as Olgapuri Day, and today the Olgapuri family gathered for a small but meaningful celebration to honor this milestone. Children, staff, and caregivers spent the day together sharing reflections on what Olgapuri means to them, expressing gratitude for the care and stability it provides, and finding comfort in one another after difficult weeks.
The celebration was a reminder that Olgapuri is more than a place to live. It is a community rooted in care, growth, and possibility — a place where children build resilience, young people prepare for their futures, and families find hope even in uncertain times. As one student reflected, “Olgapuri is deeply connected to my life experiences. It is not only accommodation for me, but also my home. Whether it was the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2015 earthquake, or the unrest, in all uncertain times, Olgapuri has put the well-being of children first.”
Carrying Hope into the Days Ahead
Reflecting on the path ahead, NYF President Som Paneru shared, “Keeping Olgapuri alive means creating beautiful futures for our children. Youth will come to Olgapuri and leave with skills in their hands. This momentum must continue into the future, even in the face of challenges like the earthquake, the pandemic, or recent unrest.”
Olgapuri continues to stand as a symbol of resilience in uncertain times. It is a place where children thrive, young people gain skills, and families find hope. As we look to the future, the Olgapuri community remains deeply committed to nurturing the next generation and creating pathways for them to flourish. As one young student shared, Olgapuri is “the place where I have truly felt the meaning of love and family.”
We will continue to update our NYF Community when we can. As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us at info@nepalyouthfoundation.org.