Our Story
Founded in 2011, Friends For Nepal emerged from the shared vision of former volunteers from the USA who had served with Volunteers Initiative Nepal (VIN). Originally known as Friends of Volunteers Initiative Nepal (FoVIN), our organization transitioned to Friends For Nepal in 2023, seeking to establish its unique identity while fostering broader collaborations and partnerships. As a 501c3 US-based nonprofit, we are driven by a mission to empower marginalized communities in Nepal, with a particular focus on women and children. Our organizational values of hope, dignity, transparency, empathy, service, integrity, and inspiration guide us in every endeavor we undertake.
Our Work
At Friends For Nepal, we are committed to making a tangible difference in the lives of those we serve. Through our 100% volunteer-driven efforts, we have supported numerous initiatives aimed at addressing various social and economic challenges faced by Nepali communities. From sponsoring teacher salaries and constructing community learning centers to providing disaster relief and promoting sustainable agriculture, our projects span a wide spectrum of interventions. Over the years, we have collaborated with local partners and organizations, including Volunteers Initiative Nepal (VIN) and Friends of Volunteers Initiative Nepal Canada/Netherlands/UK, to maximize our impact and reach. Together, we have implemented programs that have positively impacted thousands of individuals, contributing to long-term empowerment and development in Nepal. As we continue our journey, we remain steadfast in our commitment to creating a brighter, more equitable future for all Nepalis.
Initiatives Supported by Friends for Nepal include:
Sponsoring the salary for a teacher at the Astha Mahila Vidyalaya Women’s Community School in Gatthaghar, Bhaktapur, providing educational opportunities for women and girls (2024-2025).
Provided need-based scholarships to 17 female students through VIN, with three students completing university education (2012-2023) so far.
Collaborated with BookBox Nepal to install community library boxes, promoting literacy and access to educational resources (2023).
Constructed water tanks and provided permaculture training with VIN for 12 Dalit families in Okhaldhunga, Nepal, to enhance sustainable living practices (2022-2023).
Partnered with the Saalt Company and the Mahasukha Foundation to provide period underwear for 30 Buddhist nuns at the Serang Monastery in Nubri, Gorkha, addressing menstrual hygiene needs (2022).
Supported VIN’s sustainable food production program in Okhaldhunga by planting 500 fruit trees, promoting food security and environmental conservation (2021-2022).
We deeply appreciate your donation.
"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”