Archives: Teams

Choodamani Poudel

J House & Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Alumnus

Children’s Home J House & Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Alumnus
Director, Nepal Disabled Association – Khagendra New Life Center, Kathmandu

Choodamani Poudel’s life changed while he was receiving treatment for his leg at the Hospital for Rehabilitation of Disabled Children. Recognizing his circumstances, Prof. Dr. Ashok Kumar Baskota connected him with Nepal Youth Foundation (NYF). Soon after, Choodamani was welcomed into a school hostel supported by NYF, where he began the educational journey that would shape his future.

From 1986 to 1996, NYF provided Choodamani with education, stability, and care. That foundation opened doors he never imagined possible. He went on to earn two master’s degrees—one in Health Care Management and another in Education Planning and Management—transforming early hardship into opportunity.

Today, Choodamani serves as Director of the Nepal Disabled Association Khagendra New Life Center in Jorpati, Kathmandu. He leads programs focused on empowerment and rehabilitation for children and adults with disabilities, using an integrated approach that includes medical support, education, vocational training, employment pathways, and assistive devices such as prosthetics. His work reaches individuals in some of Nepal’s most rural communities.

Before this role, he founded and ran an inclusive school for eight years and served as a regional chairperson of the National Federation of the Disabled – Nepal. He credits NYF as the source of his inspiration, having witnessed firsthand how even small support can transform a child’s life.

Choodamani envisions a prosperous and peaceful Nepal where the next generation has access to equal opportunity, justice, and meaningful work. His advice to young leaders is simple: complete your education, apply your knowledge in service of your community, and help build the Nepal you wish to see.

Nirmala Gyawali

Olgapuri Children’s Home (Formerly K-House)

Olgapuri Children’s Home (Formerly K-House)
Disability Rights Advocate / Public Relations & Fundraising Manager, Ability Development Society Nepal (ADSON)

Born visually impaired, Nirmala Gyawali grew up in a world that offered few educational opportunities for blind children in Nepal. What could have been a story defined by limitation instead became one of possibility, resilience, and leadership—thanks to early access to education and unwavering support from NYF.

Raised in NYF’s K-house (now known as Olgapuri Children’s Home), Nirmala received long-term support from 1989 to 2004. At a time when Braille education was available in only one school nationwide, she was enrolled at the Laboratory School in Kirtipur and later supported through a bachelor’s degree in Sociology, followed by a second degree in English Literature. In 2005, she was awarded a scholarship through the US-PLUS program to complete a 26-month course in the United States, further strengthening her skills as an advocate and leader.

Education opened doors not only for Nirmala, but for her entire family. Her sister became the first blind woman in Nepal to earn a master’s degree, and both of her siblings now work as teachers in Kathmandu—powerful examples of what access and opportunity can make possible.

Since returning to Nepal in 2007, Nirmala has dedicated her life to advancing the rights of persons with disabilities. After six years working with the International Organization for Migration supporting Bhutanese refugees, she now serves as Public Relations and Fundraising Manager at Ability Development Society Nepal (ADSON), helping provide education, skills training, and livelihood support to more than 1,500 children and adults with disabilities each year.

Nirmala’s advocacy has led to tangible change—from promoting wheelchair-accessible classrooms and sign language interpretation to founding Kathmandu’s first Braille library, which remains in use today. She also helped ensure Olga’s Promise was reproduced in Braille and continues to advocate for disability-inclusive systems nationwide, including accessible banking that allows blind individuals to live independently.

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

Her message to future leaders is clear: “Whatever you do, make it inclusive—so that no one is left behind.“

Dr. Alisha Rasaili

Empowering Dalit Daughters Alumna

Empowering Dalit Daughters Alumna
Ophthalmologist, Government Hospital

Dr. Alisha Rasaili’s journey with NYF began in 2006, after she completed her School Leaving Certificate with outstanding marks. Though she dreamed of continuing her education in Kathmandu, social and economic barriers made that path feel out of reach. After learning about NYF’s Empowering Dalit Daughters (EDD) program through a newspaper and completing a competitive application and interview process, Alisha was selected for support that would change her life.

Through the EDD program, NYF supported Alisha for three years, enabling her to pursue higher education at a well-established college in Kathmandu. Living and studying in the capital at a young age helped her grow both academically and personally, exposing her to new opportunities and shaping her confidence as a future leader.

Today, Dr. Alisha serves as an ophthalmologist at a government hospital, where she restores vision and improves quality of life for patients with limited access to healthcare. Working at the municipal level, she provides specialized eye care at minimal cost, easing the burden on families who might otherwise go untreated.

“Serving people at the ground level is deeply meaningful to me,” she shares. “As a specialist in a government hospital, I can reach those who need care the most.”

Alisha is also committed to building a healthier Nepal beyond hospital walls. She conducts health camps, promotes public health awareness, and works to bridge the gap between communities and the healthcare system. Her vision for Nepal’s future includes stronger healthcare systems, political stability, inclusive development, and equal opportunities for the next generation.

To future leaders, Dr. Alisha offers simple but powerful advice: remain honest, stay humble, keep learning, and always be a voice for the voiceless. Through her work, she is creating the Nepal she wants to see—one patient, one community, and one restored vision at a time.

Budhani Tharu

Vocational Education, Industrial Tailoring Graduate

Vocational Education & Career Counseling (VECC), Program Alumna
Industrial Tailoring Graduate & Small Business Owner, Dhangadi

Budhani Tharu was 21 years old when her life finally changed. After more than 15 years in the Kamlari system as a bonded child laborer, she was rescued and given her first real chance at freedom. Sent away from her home as a young girl, she spent her childhood working from dawn until dusk—without a voice, protection, or choice.

Even today, it is difficult for her to speak about those years. “I was just a child, but I worked from morning to night—scared, voiceless, invisible,” she recalls. Alongside endless household labor, she was responsible for caring for another child, despite barely knowing how to care for herself.

After her rescue, Budhani was introduced to NYF’s Vocational Education and Career Counseling (VECC) program. Trust came slowly. When she was offered industrial tailoring training and later a job in Kathmandu, fear resurfaced. “For a moment, I wondered if this was another trap,” she says. But Budhani chose courage.

She completed industrial tailoring training and went on to work at a garment company in Kathmandu, where she spent the next decade rebuilding her life. She gained skills, confidence, and financial independence, got married, became a mother, and began shaping a future of her own choosing.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Budhani returned to her hometown—not in fear, but with savings and a dream. Today, she owns and operates a small tailoring and garment shop in Dhangadi, supplying affordable, high-quality clothing to the local market. Her business supports her family and provides employment to two other women seeking a path toward independence.

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

Budhani believes education and skills training are key to breaking cycles of poverty and inequality. Her hope is simple yet powerful: that no child will ever be forced into bonded labor again, and that every girl will have the chance to learn, earn, and live with dignity.

It is time to break the chain.

Susmita Baniya

Vocational Education & Nutritional Rehabilitation Home

Vocational Education & Career Counseling Program Alumna & Beneficiary of NYF’s Nutritional Rehabilitation Home
Entrepreneurship Development Facilitator, Hetauda Sub-Metropolitan City Office

When Susmita first came into contact with Nepal Youth Foundation in 2007, she was a young girl suffering from severe malnutrition. She was admitted to NYF’s Nutrition Rehabilitation Home (NRH) in Kathmandu, where she received the care she needed to recover. During this period, her health challenges placed a heavy emotional and financial burden on her family, especially after the loss of her father. To help stabilize the family’s future, NYF began supporting Susmita’s education.

Even as a child, Susmita was known for her bright personality and determination. Inspired by the nurses who cared for her at the NRH, she dreamed of becoming one herself. She completed her School Leaving Certificate exams and began preparing for nursing entrance courses with great enthusiasm. However, after health consultations, she was advised not to pursue a career in the medical field. The news left her heartbroken. She continued her studies through the intermediate level but was unable to complete Grade 12, leaving her uncertain about what the future might hold.

“I was devastated—not being able to get a job or see a way forward,” she recalls. “It was during this difficult time that Laxmi Ma’am and Ram Babu Sir counseled me and encouraged me to join the Entrepreneurship Development Facilitator training. I am so grateful to them for showing me a new path.”

In August 2019, Susmita enrolled in NYF’s 18-month Entrepreneurship Development Facilitator training through the Vocational Education and Career Counseling (VECC) program. The course gave her renewed hope and the practical skills to become independent—something she had always aspired to, especially after watching her mother’s quiet strength in keeping their family together.

As part of her field training, Susmita worked with a local organization that motivated young girls in nearby villages to stay in school. The group also collaborated with municipal leaders to secure educational support—books, uniforms, and supplies—for children from Dalit and underprivileged backgrounds. The experience strengthened her confidence and deepened her passion for social work.

In September 2021, Susmita’s persistence paid off when she was selected for a government position as an Entrepreneurship Development Facilitator at Hetauda Sub-Metropolitan City. Today, she empowers women’s groups to launch micro-enterprises, helps them access interest-free municipal loans, and conducts training sessions that encourage income-generating activities.

“Today, I earn Rs. 33,000 a month through my government job—but honestly, it’s not just about the money,” she says. “What matters more to me is that I can finally stand with dignity. I no longer feel helpless. I feel respected, confident, and proud of the journey I’ve made.”

Looking back, Susmita sees NYF as the constant support that helped her reach where she is today. “NYF has been like a real father to me,” she shares. “I lost my own father when I was very young, but NYF stepped in, supported me, guided me, and never let me feel alone. Everything I am today is because they believed in me.”

To the next generation, she offers a message of encouragement: “Life is worthwhile when you live with purpose and help others rise. That’s what I’m trying to do too.”

P.S. Learn more about Nutritional Rehabilitation Homes (NRHs) + Vocational Education and Career Counseling at NYF.

Dr. Ram Suphal Ram

College Scholarship Program Alumna

NYF College Scholarship Alumna
Consultant Pediatrician, Udayapur District Hospital

Ram Suphal Ram grew up in Lahan, Siraha District, in a Dalit family facing deep financial hardship. His parents worked as farm laborers, and continuing his education beyond high school seemed nearly impossible. After passing his SLC exams, he moved to Kathmandu with community support and completed +2 Science through PDRC. While preparing for MBBS entrance exams, he learned about Nepal Youth Foundation and received an NYF College Scholarship for his MBBS studies at KIST Medical College from 2010 to 2013.

The scholarship made all the difference. “NYF helped cover my books, accommodation and food,” he shares. “It allowed me to focus on becoming the doctor I dreamed of becoming.”

After completing his MBBS, Ram Suphal served in a rural health center in Khotang and later passed the Public Service Commission exam to become a government medical officer. He went on to earn a full Government Scholarship for his MD in Pediatrics at BPKIHS Dharan. Today, he serves as a consultant pediatrician at Udayapur District Hospital.

Deeply committed to children from marginalized communities, he treats patients from low income families free of cost whenever possible and advocates for child health, education and rights. “I come from a background where opportunity was limited,” he says. “I want every child to have a chance to thrive.”

His hopes for Nepal’s future are clear: quality education for every child, stable governance, strong anti corruption systems and economic opportunities that uplift all communities.

To future leaders, he offers this advice: “Have a clear vision. Be honest and transparent. Stay motivated and always keep the wellbeing of children at the center.”

Dr. Ram Suphal Ram’s journey reflects NYF’s long standing belief that when a young person receives the support they need, they can rise to transform their community and the nation.

Shivaraj

Olgapuri Vocational School Electrical Program Alumna

Electrical Trainer, Olgapuri Vocational School, NYF

Growing up in a remote village in Nepal’s hilly region, Shivaraj understood perseverance from an early age. As one of eight children, he watched his parents—both farmers—work tirelessly to support their large family. The government school he attended was miles away, and during the monsoon season, the steep, muddy paths made the journey nearly impossible. “I had to skip school many times just because of the rain,” he recalls. Supplies were scarce, and there were days he and his siblings went to class without notebooks or textbooks—but he never let that stop him from learning.

After finishing Grade 12, Shivaraj’s formal education came to an end. There were no higher secondary schools nearby, and his family’s limited income meant he had to stay home and help with farming. For years, it seemed like his dreams of building a different life would remain out of reach.

That changed in September 2019, when Shivaraj learned about NYF’s vocational training opportunities through his rural municipality office. He was selected for the Electrical Trade training at Olgapuri Vocational School (OVS)—an opportunity he describes as “searching for a stone and finding gold.” The choice felt deeply personal. As a boy, his family had relied on dim oil lamps for light, and when his village was finally electrified, no trained electricians were available to fix outages. The experience left a lasting impression, sparking his fascination with the power of electricity and the possibility of bringing light to others.

The three-month training at OVS transformed Shivaraj’s life. With the practical skills he gained and NYF’s job placement support, he quickly found work as an electrician with a construction company in Kathmandu. But just months later, the COVID-19 pandemic forced him to return home. Determined not to lose momentum, he continued practicing wiring work in his village and prepared for the National Skill Test, which he passed with flying colors.

When OVS began launching satellite training programs in rural areas, Shivaraj was invited to assist a lead trainer in Dhading District. His enthusiasm, quick learning, and natural ability to communicate complex concepts in simple Nepali quickly set him apart. Before long, he transitioned from an assistant to a full-time electrical trainer.

Today, Shivaraj leads training sessions at Olgapuri Vocational School with pride and purpose. “I feel so proud when I sign the trainees’ certificates of completion,” he says. “Just a few years ago, someone signed one for me—and now I’m giving that recognition to others.” Many of his students come from rural communities much like his own. After graduation, they return home to electrify their villages, wiring modern houses and supporting the country’s growing infrastructure.

For Shivaraj, the most rewarding part of his work is seeing others step into a brighter future—literally and figuratively. His journey from a rural hillside classroom to the front of an OVS workshop is proof that opportunity and education can transform lives and communities alike.

Lynn Hetterich

Director

Lynn fell in love with Nepal during a trek to Everest Base Camp in 1981. Three years later, newly married, she returned with her husband, Steve, during their 18-month trip around the world. Back in Denver, she began hearing about Olga Murray and her inspiring work. In 2000, while traveling abroad with their two children, Lynn and Steve met Olga and Som and witnessed NYF’s life-changing programs firsthand—an experience that began her enduring commitment to NYF.

Raised by parents who modeled a life of service and philanthropy, Lynn was inspired early to give back. While earning a degree in International Studies, an influential professor nurtured her passion for meaningful engagement. That opportunity arrived when Montview Church, her Denver congregation, funded a pediatric wing at Patan Hospital in Kathmandu and sent volunteers to “follow the money.” Lynn co-led the first service trip in 2000, and since then has brought more than 200 people of all ages to Nepal to connect with its people and contribute through community projects.

Under Lynn’s leadership and encouragement, Montview Church helped fund the first Nutritional Rehabilitation Home (NRH) in Kathmandu and three community centers in Saptari District. The church has also supported NRHs across Nepal, the New Life Center, and the reconstruction of a school destroyed in the 2015 Gorkha earthquake. Lynn’s family sponsored the playgrounds at the Kathmandu NRH and at Olgapuri, and have sponsored a brother and sister through NYF since 2000—remaining close to them as adults today.

Now retired from a career in residential real estate, Lynn and Steve have passed the business to their children. They remain avid travelers, hikers, cyclists, gardeners, and cooks.

Bunu Sherpa

Olgapuri Children's Home (Formerly K-House)

Associate Finance Specialist at Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (UNFAO)
Mentor and advocate for education and financial empowerment

When Bunu Sherpa arrived at Nepal Youth Foundation’s children’s home in 2000, she was just a child in need of stability and support. For the next sixteen years, NYF became her home.

“NYF’s support made it possible for me to truly envision a future for myself, something that once felt completely out of reach,” Bunu recalls. “They provided more than financial aid. They gave me confidence, guidance, and a deep sense of belonging.”

During her years with NYF, Bunu was able to continue her education without the constant burden of financial stress. She grew up in J & K House (now called Olgapuri Children’s Village), in a warm, family-style environment with devoted house parents and a close community of peers—celebrating festivals, sharing meals, and receiving the holistic care every child deserves. More importantly, she grew into a self-assured young woman with purpose and hope. “NYF didn’t just help me, they became my family. They gave me the roots I needed to grow, and the belief that I matter.”

Today, Bunu is an Associate Finance Specialist at a humanitarian organization, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (UNFAO). Her work allows her to contribute directly to projects that support vulnerable communities across Nepal. “Being able to serve others through my work is incredibly fulfilling, and I know it’s a path I wouldn’t be on without the foundation NYF gave me,” she says.

Beyond her professional role, Bunu mentors young people in her community, offering guidance and encouragement as they pursue their education and career goals. To her, transforming the world is not only about large-scale programs, but also about small, consistent acts of kindness that spark hope in others.

Education and financial empowerment remain deeply personal to her. Growing up with limited resources, she saw how these barriers kept many from realizing their full potential. “NYF gave me the tools to break through those barriers—a solid education and the confidence that I could create a future for myself.”

Her vision for Nepal’s future is one where every child has access to education and the resources needed to thrive. She dreams of a country where young people are not limited by poverty or traditional barriers, but are instead inspired to innovate, lead, and uplift their communities.

Bunu’s advice for future leaders is simple but powerful: “Stay grounded. Keep your eyes on the long-term vision. Always choose service over recognition. True leadership is about creating meaningful change, and the leaders who leave the deepest impact are those who lead with empathy, resilience, and integrity.”

From her childhood at Olgapuri to her current role in the humanitarian sector, Bunu’s story is a testament to the power of education, empowerment, and belonging. Today she stands as a proud NYF alumna—independent, compassionate, and committed to shaping a brighter, more inclusive Nepal.

P.S. Recently, Bunu returned to Olgapuri to emcee the unveiling of Olga Murray’s statue—a moving tribute to the woman she considers part of her family.