What a great experience it has been to see NYF grow from its early founding by Olga Murray and continuing through the present. It has been wonderful to see the many young people over the years go through NYF to become productive citizens. My father Totton Heffelfinger was on the board and I have been on board for the past six years. My son James and I visited NYF several years ago and the kids were great; it was especially great to meet the dedicated staff and to see the many projects that Som and his team had initiated at Olgapuri including, to name only a few, the many vocational training program options for young women and men, hydroponic farming, and the well-organized school programs for the children. Truly remarkable is that the organization has grown and thrived through natural disasters, economic challenges and the COVID pandemic. I believe that the hallmark of this success has been the capacity of its leadership to adapt its programs to these circumstances while continuing to reach out to new segments of Nepal in need. I also want to note the tremendous strides that our U.S. Executive Director, Eric Talbert, has made since joining us earlier this year.
Won't you please join me in making a generous donation to NYF this year!
Chris Heffelfinger
There is no other charity of this scale and scope operating in Nepal (next up the line is the big UNICEF). Wonderful work achieved by all the elements of NYF in Nepal. Diverse programmes and a nimble approach that allows rapid response to the unexpected....such as Covid. Som Panneru and all the team in Nepal, USA, UK and elsewhere do a fantastic job.
My daughter-in-law was born in Nepal and she has given us a new grandson as of Sept 2020. She told us about this wonderful organization as it is close to her heart. The more I learn about what it has accomplished over the years, the more I am honored to be a part of it on a monthly basis. God bless the NYF in all its efforts!
The range of demographics they serve is very wide: Rescued Kamalaris, disabled children, impoverished children.
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I have known about NYF ever since I was a child as my mom worked for it. I have been growing up with my mom talking about all the children associated with NYF. Their problems, their mistakes, their accomplishments and so on with compassion and love. I have seen her laugh with the children and cry as well. For her, its not just a job, its a way of life.
All this inspires me. The help from NYF and Olga didi is truly amazing.
An amazing organization! I love how honest and communicative they are, and it’s so clear to me that the staff truly cares about the cause! I would definitely recommend í ½í¸Š
I work for One Day's Wages, and we carefully vet organizations to fund projects through matching grants. When Nepal Youth Foundation applied for a matching grant last year, they were very transparent about their work and communicative throughout the process. Nepal Youth Foundation's vocational school program stood out to me because it makes a huge difference in peoples' lives by giving them a skill to be able to make a living to support their families. They've been a great partner in our work to end extreme poverty.
I volunteered with the foundation at their annual Founder's Day event and was truly empowered by their work. Through seeing all of the donors and the presentation of their impact, I could see that NYF was an organization that has been and will continue to transform the lives of many. I hope to be able to work with them again in the future!
I became a donor in February through a matching gift opportunity and I have been so impressed since my first donation. NYF does really meaningful work in the communities they serve.
I helped with some office work and heavy lifting in the US office, but most of the work happens in Nepal. The Nepalese president and staff drive the programs (sometimes to the consternation of the people whose job it is to make sure there is enough money for those ambitious projects to succeed).
I love that the Nepal Youth Foundation focuses on empowering people. NYF has such an amazing 30-year history, and it still continues to evolve based on the needs in Nepal instead of getting stuck doing the same things. One huge example of that is NYF transitioning the Freed Kamlaris program to the very women that it has freed and empowered (NYF's blog has more information on that if you're curious). I am thrilled that NYF is the sort of organization that builds up people and communities to the point that they become independent. In my opinion, that's the sign of a great organization. "Teach a man to fish..." (or, in this case, "Teach a woman to fish...")
Meanwhile, NYF continues to provide housing for children, work on other existing projects, and start new programs that directly address the needs in Nepal. I like that NYF can talk about the need while still celebrating the capabilities and potential of the people it helps.
I encourage you to check out NYF's blog and get to know this organization better.
I donate to this charity, after hearing and seeing the remarkable achievements they are making in the lives of desperately in need children in Nepal. From the Founder, Olga Murray, on down, everyone greets each day and challenge with a smile, sense of purpose, and mission. It is an honor to be a part of the change in the world, and I've seen how seriously they take the responsibility to invest wisely and judiciously. Thank you, NYF, for ALL you do!
I'm extremely proud to have been a patron and sponsor of NYF for over 30 years, it's extremely rewarding to be able to help an organization that so effectively implements critical and life-changing programs , and does so with integrity, efficiency, and compassion.
One of the best elements of being involved with NYF is a personal connection to the children I've sponsored, and to continue to be in touch with them after they've completed their NYF sponsorship and enter the workforce.
Joining the Board recently has only solidified my commitment the the organization, especially to the excellent work of NYF staff in Nepal, as they've risen beyond expectations in response to the pandemic this year and made outstanding accomplishments in difficult situations.
Worked with this group to produce a few podcast episodes to support their donation efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. They were great to work with, believed strongly in their mission, and attentive to the needs of their collaborators.
A wonderful nonprofit to work for and with incredibly organized, passionate and dedicated staff! I was happy to help out with the virtual Founders Day this year.
Such a great nonprofit. They're doing so much mindful, intentional work on the ground in Nepal, all to benefit these great kids who can really benefit from simple opportunities. If you care about helping children, there's something here that you can be passionate about as a donor or a volunteer - whether it's providing nutritional outreach and education, helping keep impoverished families together, or working to overcome systemic societal hierarchies. NYF is definitely worth investing in!
I’m so pleased to give Nepal Youth Foundation a five star review. Their mission and work to bring freedom, shelter, healthcare, and education to some of the most impoverished children and families in Nepal is inspiring. Their programs are helping to transform lives – from hardship and despair into ones filled with hope and possibility. I recommend everyone to check into these programs and how they can help.
A great organization with holistic and sustainable approaches to lifting poverty in Nepal. It's so cool that most of the staff are actually Nepalese, working with the programs in Nepal. Not to mention they are very friendly with a genuine passion for what they do! Highly recommended!
I volunteered for NYF during their Founder's Day event and was really impressed with the organization. The staff was incredibly compassionate and kind, and it was clear that NYF truly cares for, and prioritizes, the populations it serves.
I highly recommend this foundation! This organization does such amazing and positive work for the people in Nepal.
I'm so impressed with the work NYF does, and all the children they help. It's so great to get their updates and see what my donations support!
Nepal Youth Foundation is an excellent and transparent non-profit dedicated to improving the lives of some of the most impoverished children in Nepal. After working and volunteering the NYF, I was impressed by the dedication and genuine passion the team has for their mission. So much thought, patience, dedication, and hard work goes into crafting their programs and I witnessed the positive impacts they are having on the lives of Nepali youth. It also should be known that all activities and programs in Nepal are lead by Nepali's-- a necessary move for sustainable and inclusive development.
I am so excited to have found Nepal Youth Foundation, especially after I learned that their operations and program staff are Nepalese, working in Nepal. NYF is a role model on how support from the global north should be put to good use not only helping the people in their programs but also creating job opportunities for locals. Keep up the good work!
My husband and I toured Olgapuri last year, and we were so moved and inspired by all of the ways in which Olga and her organization help disenfranchised Nepali youth. It’s hard to put into words how courageous and creative and compassionate Olga is. And what makes her special is that she has directed her empathy and intellect in powerfully transformative ways. She has empowered thousands of young Nepali’s to love themselves and live their lives at their fullest potential! If you are inspired I encourage you to support her work, read her book and maybe even visit Olgapuri yourself. You will be forever changed.
NYF is a wonderful non-profit making a tremendous difference for children in Nepal.
I visited some of the programs in 2018 and can attest to the great work happening on the grounds. Thank you, NYF!
Nepal Youth Foundation is wonderful! I've heard about NYF from one of my family members and both their staff and their programs make a huge impact.
NYF is so great! Their programs - spanning freedom, health, shelter, and education - make a great deal of positive change for the children of Nepal.
Olga met with our group of mothers and daughters (young girls 7-12 grade) to share with us her life's passion of providing the children of Nepal, especially the young girls, with the freedoms we take for granted in our country -- to be treated with dignity and respect (physically and emotionally), to be educated and to control our own future. Olga reminded all of us that at any age, at any time in our lives, each one of us can make what is so inhumanely wrong and make it right -- this is what she did when she started NYF.
Phenomenal organization and so impressive what they are accomplishing! We recently heard Olga Murray speak and were so moved by their work and dedication to helping the youth in Nepal.
I've had the privilege and honor of seeing the fruit of NYF's love and labor first hand in Kathmandu and rural Nepal with Olga, Som, and the NYF staff. I've met the children who are vibrant with intellectual curiosity and glowing from their secure, stable home full of love. NYF's work is effective, sustainable, heartfelt and smart. May they continue to grow and flourish.
It’s amazing what one small organization has accomplished in such a short period of time. This organization is inspiring!
Olga and the NYF have such an amazing story and their accomplishments are truly moving. My daughter and I were telling everyone we came in contact with after we attended a speaking engagement learning about the organization. Will be sure to learn more of what we can do since it is so fulfilling and meaningful work.
The Nepal Youth Foundation is an incredible non-profit organization that continually reaches out to thousands of Nepali children while finding ways to aggressively address their ongoing needs such as education, nutrition, shelter, clean water, vocational schooling, healthcare and private business funding. Their work is remarkable and a testament to the fact that just one ripple of kindness can lead to a tidal wave of positive change. Founder, Olga Murray, had a vision and from that an entire segment of our world has changed for the better.
As a regular volunteer at NYF I get to see how much they are able to get done and how efficiently they do it. Olga Murray's story of founding this non-profit should be an inspiration for all of us to really pay attention and to set bold goals that can make a difference in this needy world.
My wife and I are very proud to be donors of NYF.
We are both from Nepal and understand the depth of the need, particularly for children in remote villages.
NYF is not just saving and changing lives every day, the organization is helping entire communities become stronger, healthier, and educated.
Thank you for doing great work in one of the poorest countries in the world, NYF!
-Badri Poudel
Nepal Youth Foundation is doing incredible work to change the lives of vulnerable children and families in Nepal. As a Nepali-American, their mission is especially close to my heart! Thank you for doing what you do and giving children a better chance at living up to their full potential.
Wonderful non profit doing much needed work in Nepal - supporting children and communities. The organization is incredible and Olga Murray is one of the most kind, caring, hardworking and inspiring people I have ever met.
Excellent organization with a very dedicated staff. Their impactful programs are making a real difference in the Nepali community. Great work!
My wife and I lived and worked in Nepal from 1992 to 2005 and have been closely involved with Nepal since our return to California. During all this time we watched and helped the NYF program where we could, as it evolved from a small, safe home for disabled children to today's robust team. NYF has been exceptionally adept, forthright and successful in tackling core issues.
Wonderful non-profit transforming not only the lives of children and families but reshaping Nepali society for the better. Keep up the great work, NYF!
I watched NYF begin with vision of Olga Murray and have seen how it has expanded over more than 25 years to help more than 10,000 Nepalese children. The professionalism, integrity, and compassion of the Nepali team have made projects come to fruition where no one else could have helped. While not its core mission, NYF jumped in to help after the catastrophic earthquake and has moved back to more programmatic offerings in the realm of child health, education and nutrition.
Nepal Youth Foundation is an excellent, multifaceted nonprofit that tends to the needs of children in Nepal in a variety of ways. They are incredibly transparent in their work - donors always know exactly how their dollars are being spent and are encouraged to contact staff with any questions. NYF's services range from healthcare to disaster relief, so donors have a variety of programs to choose from. Keep up the great work!
"The Nepal Youth Foundation is a wonderful organization. While volunteering for a fundraiser, I was able to meet many of the kind, remarkable staff of NYF. I could easily see the passion that these inspiring people have for my country. I am extremely proud of what this organization does for Nepal. I can't wait to see the work firsthand when I return home. Olga, the NYF founder, even invited me to her home the next time I'm in Nepal!"
As the wife of a man from Nepal and an avid supporter of human rights, I am blown away by the work done through the Nepal Youth Foundation. The strong connection between NYF staff in America and staff in Nepal is something that can be hard to come by with international humanitarian organizations. Additionally, the fact that Olga, the founder of NYF (who recently celebrated her 92nd birthday!) lives in Nepal for over half of the year to oversee operations tells you a great deal about the organization's passion for the well-being of the men, women, and children of Nepal. I have had the fortune to meet the NYF team, including Olga, and can certainly say that they are a true source of inspiration for many, including myself.
The Nepal Youth Foundation is an incredible organization that gives invaluable aid to communities in Nepal. NYF has consistently sought to provide the best, most immediate support to those in need by making the most of every donation they receive. The amount that this organization has been able to accomplish since their founding is absolutely remarkable. Over the past few months, I have been volunteering at NYF and I am constantly amazed by the dedication, commitment, and hard work of all of the people involved. NYF is not only incredible because of its brilliant leadership, but also because of the efficiency and expertise within every office. The reliability and effectiveness of NYF makes it one of the very best nonprofits to support.
I have been involved with NYF for over 7 years. The integrity and commitment of the leadership and staff is without comparison. With a program driven by its Nepal-based President, NYF has been able to build a range of services for children and youth that Nepalese families can rely upon both for acute relief from hunger and poverty and for longer term assistance in education, health and nutrition. And thanks to the deep knowledge of Nepal, NYF has also been able to respond nimbly and effectively to crises such as the devastating earthquake in 2015. While there are many worthwhile international NGOs, I cannot think of another where contributions have more significant impact on those in need.
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For anyone who is aware of the many different needs in Nepal, and the deserving nature of its people, it is tempting to conclude that anything short of grand scale international government aid and drastic political reform is futile. Nepal Youth Foundation takes another view. In a country where needs are so great, the one sure way of making a difference is to focus on improving the lives of individual girls and boys, one child at a time. Through the leadership of its founder, Olga Murray, and now its President and Nepal native, Som Paneru, it has achieved remarkable and heart warming successes, even on a modest budget. This is what an international aid organization should be: driven by and responsive to local needs, committed to cost-effective programs, and guided by international expertise to help thousands of boys and girls who otherwise may have little in the way of hope. I would not have joined this Board and committed my time to it if I did not believe that Nepal Youth Foundation is making more of a difference in this world than any other charity of its size.
Nepal is one of the world's poorest countries and it's youngest and most vulnerable suffer the effects of poverty disproportionately. It is daunting to contemplate the tremendous adversity facing impoverished Nepalese children including: forced servitude, child abandonment, malnutrition, unsafe water and waterborne diseases, HIV and AIDS, lack of access to education, particularly for girls.
I almost never write online reviews and have never been inspired to do so for a nonprofit until now. My own experience working at non-profits taught me to be cautious and deliberate with my donated dollars and time. NYF demonstrates the highest standard of effective, ethical, efficient use of all donations.
My confidence in NYF has only grown over time as I learn more about the programs and the highly ethical and transparent policies of the US and Nepal offices.
Poverty programs are hard to implement, tricky to evaluate, challenging to fund -- and success is rare. When interventions are based on the needs and values of the participants, they are more likely to work consistently, as NYF demonstrates the most important, tangible bottom line --saved lives, improved quality of life and health, increased access to education and job opportunities. The graduates of the programs become de facto advocates and models for the next generation of children in need.
NYF has been doing great work in Nepal for over 25 years. It was because of their excellent track record that I became involved with the organization two years ago, soon after learning of them after a move to the Bay area. I was particularly impressed with their emphasis on local Nepali involvement in managing and implementing the Foundation's programs; the U.S. office is lean and efficiently run, allowing more resources to directly impact those living in Nepal.
Among NYF's many life-changing programs, the Indentured Daughter Program - which saved over 10,000 Nepali girls from being sold into enforced servitude - stands out. The Foundation is deeply committed to improving the lives of Nepali children and families, and I hope to be able to support their work for years to come.
I have fifteen years of experience working with nonprofits. Nepal Youth Foundation is one of the best, most reliable nonprofits when it comes to donor stewardship and supporting its programs on the ground in Nepal. NYF values every donation they receive, and strives to implement funds as effectively as possible to help impoverished children in need. This effective and efficient implementation of funds has earned NYF its tenth consecutive 4-star rating, the highest possible from Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent evaluator of charities. Only 1% of all charities evaluated have received at least 10 consecutive 4-star evaluations, indicating that Nepal Youth Foundation is worthy of supporter trust and commitment.
Nepal Youth Foundation has been saving children’s lives in Nepal for more than a quarter of a century. I visited their programs a few years ago and saw firsthand the remarkable accomplishments of this organization – from rescuing girls from childhood slavery to saving lives of severely malnourished children, NYF is a beacon of light in this deeply impoverished and beautiful country. I highly recommend this organization.
My donation to NYF last year helped to save the life of a malnourished child.... when I visited Nepal this past spring and saw the actual work being done, it was incredibly moving.
The Nutrition Homes are not just my favorite NYF project - they may be the most amazing investment of $350 in any nonprofit I know! It only costs $1 - ONE DOLLAR per day - to literally save a life.
Our charity, Global Grandmothers, vets and recommends child-centered charities on our website. We only recommend 9 and Nepal Youth Foundation (NYF) is one. We recently sponsored a walk to raise funds for them. Unexpectedly a family of three showed up to the walk and we asked what had prompted them to come. They told us that the dad regularly commutes on the ferry and that he had met and talked to a young Nepalese man on his commute. This young man told him all about the Nepal Youth Foundation, how it had changed his life, paid for his education, and that he now was married, living in the US with a good job thanks to them. One more evidence of NYF's great work!
I live in Patan, Lalitpur, Nepal. I have seen many people (volunteers) keeping the donated goods to themselves instead of giving it to earthquake victims.
Many International agencys donated so many things but people who were wearing NYF tshort gave only few to victims and kept many releef goods like food, blanckets to themself.
Some people working there said volunteers are NYF manager's relatives.
We were disappointed to hear the local Earthquake victims complain about NYF staffs selling the donated items like tents and blankets to wholesalers in Lalitpur district in Kathmandu valley.
Most of the donors don't go to see the actual victims so they don't know what's happening there. Our organisation donated a lot to NYF, particularly in Lalitpur area because we have a few clients who work there and they asked us to help the victims. The Earthquake victims never received the amount of tents and blankets that were supplied to the area. We think that the person who manages the distribution was involved in the corruption.
I love Nepal Youth Foundation because of its Nepal-centered approach! This is not your SUV driving, fly-in and fly-out charity. They have a US staff of 3 or 4 people, and a staff in Nepal of over 100. Your money goes far because donations are used for services delivered in Nepal, not for fancy offices in the US. Symbolizing this approach, Olga Murray, the extraordinary woman who founded NYF, has handed the reins to Som Paneru, a Nepalese man and a beneficiary of NYF who explains NYF's programs brilliantly in the US and runs them skillfully in Nepal.
I learned about NYF as President of Global Grandmothers when we were researching child-centered charities that we could recommend to our membership. NYF stood out by its high ratings in Charity Navigator and Great Non-Profits, an impression that was only amplified when we reviewed its programs, like the J and K houses and the Nutritional Rehabilitation Homes, and met the leadership. This is an organization with integrity whom you can be proud to support.
I've been donating to NYF for over 10 years. I've been in awe of Olga Murray and her vision which she built into reality. Truly an inspiration. Plus NYF overhead is only 4% which is really very low. Having visited Nepal twice, it's so great to have this Foundation to help these beautiful people.
Fifteen years ago my husband and I were lucky enough to travel to Nepal and meet someone who knew of Olga and the work she was doing. Consequently I was ably to go to the 2 homes which housed their worst-off children and Oh what a wonderful greeting i received!! i will never forget it. They all wanted to show me their home. Unfortunately I didn't meet Olga then but I was able to at a later stage and realized what a phenomenal woman she was. And yet this charity is not all about Olga, she makes that clear. It is about Nepalis helping themselves and finding their own solutions. And it is absolutely amazing what they can do with a small amount of money. The same amount here in the US would disappear into administration but not with NYF. They do miracles with little.
I have sponsored two young men so far all the way through their schooling. The first one is now working repairing computers in a city where most who leave school cannot even find a job. next year my second "son" graduates High school and is not quite sure of his future yet. It is wonderful to be able to keep up an email conversation with them and get to know them and know , though NYF, I am helping them to have something they could not have had otherwise. I could go on. I do not have one bad thing to say.
I have been a donor for over ten years now to NYF. Two years ago I was fortunate enough to travel to Nepal and meet the young woman I have been connected with as a sponsor through NYF. I have followed her growth (through NYF and personal letters and e-mails) from a young girl to a recent high school graduate - now in college. We visited both the girls and boys wonderful homes and met with all the kids. We spent one evening and one whole day with them. There are simply no words for how wonderful the program is, how happy the kids are, and how much they have to study! Education is the priority, but fun times are certainly aplenty as well. I cannot think of anything I'd rather do with my money than support NYF. PS: They are our main beneficiary in our wills.
When the news about the floods and landslides reached Kathmandu I wanted to contribute to the most direct project to reach the affected people. When I received the appeal from the NYF I was tempted to send my donation to NYF because of the US tax deduction but I decided to support a local drive because of the time element. After living in Nepal 40 years and knowing Olga and Som almost 20 years I should have known better. The NYF, with funds collected in the US, was the first relief service to reach the devastated area!! Next time....
Betty Woodsend
Kathmandu Nepal
I visited their projects 15 years ago and have followed their work ever since. Their stamina and professionalism is impressive. May they continue to help the youth in struggling Nepal,
Sincerely, Julie Tave
Saint Germain en Laye, France
I had the privilege of visiting Nepal last October and visiting some of the many programs that the Nepal Youth Foundation runs within the country. When I saw first hand how well-run the programs were and how much impact they are making I decided to become a supporter. It's amazing to see how far our dollars go in Nepal and how well NYF handles donor resources. The good work that they are doing far exceeded my expectations and I will continue to support the organization into the future.
Having lived in Nepal and volunteered at one of NYF's sister NGO's, I can attest firsthand to what a huge impact the Nepal Youth Foundation can make. Children who were sick or starving or abandoned were found by the Nutritional Rehabilitation Homes, the J&K orphanage, and the New Life Center (the one where I volunteered) - all organizations saving and completely redirecting the lives of impoverished and discarded children of Nepal to a future filled with hope and opportunity. NYF helped place a little boy that I met, whose entire family was deceased or infected with HIV but whose dream was to go to school, in their J&K orphanage and now he is attending one of the best schools in Kathmandu and I'm sent photos of him excitedly posing with a stethoscope. NYF truly changes the lives of the Nepali children and I'm now a monthly donor and eternally grateful to them.
Hundreds of children have been clothed, fed and educated. Hundreds of young girls have been saved from slavery...and there is much more, thanks to one little lady. Olga Murray, small in stature only, is actually a giant of a woman. Moving mountains (local government) and securing funds to achieve better lives for the children of Nepal, who are so often in unbelievably dire straights. I am in awe of how one person can see a need, gather friends to share her vision, build and expand her ideas and then, without exaggeration, achieve true miracles. It is an honor to help support her vision for the Nepal Youth Foundation.
Sally S. Krakow
Years ago I read about NYF in the Christian Science Monitor and was attracted to the simplicity and practicality of preventing a child from being sold into slavery by giving the family a goat -- a very precious and desired gift. I began to give an annual donation and was increasingly impressed with the regular reports of progress as NYF's work reached more and more families. It is doing a phenomenal job in Nepal. Recently, NYF was able to provide immediate help to families in the areas where they work when there was a devastating flood. I didn't hesitate to donate to this relief effort with full confidence that the funds would provide immediate assistance and not be held up by bureaucratic measures because the infrastructure was already in place. My support is whole hearted for the work they are doing to overcome child slavery practices in Nepal.
