Child Protection Nepal Project #2739

Psychological Counseling for 20 Nepali Children

by Nepal Youth Foundation (NYF)

Project Report | Mar 5, 2025
Psychological Care Camps at Olgapuri

By Nepal Youth Foundation | Project Leader

Every spring, as the school year winds down and the holiday break begins, the Ankur Counseling Center team steps in with a unique and impactful initiative for the children at Olgapuri Children’s Village (OCV) — the Psychological Care (PC) Camp. Designed to provide both fun and growth, these camps create a supportive environment where children develop essential psychological skills through creativity, play, and hands-on activities.

Fostering Self-Awareness Through Engaging Themes

In 2024, the PC Camp focused on children in Grades 3-4, with the central theme of Self-Awareness. Over five enriching days, the camp explored different facets of self-understanding, encouraging children to connect deeply with their emotions, social relationships, and personal aspirations.

Day 1: All About Me
The camp kicked off with activities centered on self-discovery. Children shared their favorite things, discussed their roles and responsibilities within the Olgapuri family. As well as explored their feelings and learning healthy ways to regulate emotions.
Day 2: My Social Circle
The focus shifted to relationships, with discussions about their biological families, Olgapuri family, and friendships. Through storytelling and drawing family portraits, children reflected on cherished memories and the importance of connection.
Day 3: Knowing Myself
Activities like mask-making helped children differentiate between their public and private selves. They also explored the concept of the real vs. ideal self, promoting self-acceptance and authenticity.
Day 4: Loving Myself
A day dedicated to self-compassion, children engaged in mirror exercises, practicing positive self-talk and affirmations. They identified personal strengths, celebrated physical features and qualities, and highlighted meaningful aspects of their lives.
Day 5: My Dreams, Hopes, and Wishes
The camp concluded with collage-making sessions, allowing children to visualize their dreams and aspirations. A reflective review of the camp helped consolidate their learning experiences.

At the camp's closing, each child received a "strength name" — a title reflecting the positive qualities and behaviors they exhibited throughout the week. This recongition not only boosted their self-esteem but also reinforced their unique identities within the Olgapuri community.

NYF is so grateful to our generous donors for helping us provide a healthy upbringing for the remarkable kids at Olgapuri Children's Village. Watching these kids grow and thrive is such a privilege for our team—and it creates incredible opportunities for the future for each child. Dhanyabad!

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Nov 6, 2024
Over 1,150 counseling sessions completed - thanks to supporters like you!

By Nepal Youth Foundation | Project Leader

Psychological Care Camp hosted by Ankur

NYF’s Ankur Counseling Center provides essential psychological support to children and adolescents facing trauma and life challenges. Over the past ten months (July 2023 to April 2024), Ankur has conducted 1,152 counseling sessions, benefiting individuals from NYF's Children’s Homes, scholarship programs, vocational trainees, and local community members. These sessions included techniques such as sand play therapy, expressive arts, storytelling, and cognitive behavioral interventions. Group counseling helped foster emotional recognition, self-esteem, and teamwork.

Ankur also organized a ‘Psychological Care Camp’ during the school holidays, where children from Olgapuri Village engaged with counselors in activities designed to support their mental health and resilience. Additionally, students from grade 7 to 9 at Olgapuri participated in specialized training on Sex & Sexuality, ensuring they received critical education on important topics in a supportive environment.

To further strengthen support, Ankur carried out 30 house visits to Olgapuri Children’s Homes for observations, group activities, and discussions with house parents. Additionally, Ankur organized 15 training sessions for 201 participants, covering essential topics such as psychological counseling, anger management, self-esteem, communication skills, and creative movement therapy. These efforts aim to empower not just the children but also parents, teachers, and caregivers, fostering a supportive environment for holistic mental well-being.

A Heartfelt Thank You

We are deeply grateful for the generous support from donors who contribute to this project. Your commitment helps ensure that children and youth receive the psychological care and emotional support they need to thrive. Thank you, and dhanyabad for being an integral part of this journey toward healing and empowerment.

Staff Members Celebrate World Mental Health Day

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Jul 15, 2024
Five-Day Peer Counseling Training at Ankur Counseling Center!

By Nepal Youth Foundation | Project Leader

In mid-April, thirty girls (aged 13 to 19) from the rural municipality of Tirhut in Saptari District traveled with our staff to Olgapuri Village to participate in a five-day Peer Counseling training at our very own Ankur Counseling Center. The training began April 23, 2024.

For many of these girls, it was their first time leaving their village, a journey that brought both excitement and apprehension. Our staff dedicated a lot of time to earn and maintain their trust while supporting them every step of the way.

Building peer counseling skills within individuals will help empower young leaders to make an impact in their own communities. This is a prime example of NYF’s approach to addressing the “felt needs” of communities over “observed needs,” which includes recognizing community members as experts of their own experiences, successes, and challenges. This community-centered approach is a cornerstone of NYF’s strategy to ensure sustainable, far-reaching social change!

Peer counseling trainings leverage shared experiences and mutual support to create effective, accessible mental health care, particularly beneficial for young girls in reducing stigma associated with seeking help. At Ankur, counselors offer culturally relevant and sensitive support, fostering a deep sense of understanding, empathy, and validation among the girls. We look forward to seeing the impact peer counseling has on the wider Dalit community!

None of this would be possible without your generous support. Your contributions have made mental health care accessible for women and young children in Nepal—a fundamental aspect in creating healthy and thriving communities. Thank you for making a real difference in fostering a brighter future for these girls! Dhanyabad!

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