By Nepal Youth Foundation | Project Leader
At Nepal Youth Foundation (NYF), we believe mental health is just as vital as physical health, especially for children and young people who have faced significant challenges in their early lives. Through our partnership with Ankur Counseling and Training Center, we are proud to provide compassionate psychological support to children at Olgapuri Children’s Village and beyond.
This year, Ankur’s work has gone far beyond individual counseling sessions. The team has been creating powerful learning opportunities for caregivers, educators, and young people to build a stronger, more resilient support system for every child in our care.
One recent highlight was a training on Positive Dealing with Children and Adolescents, grounded in Dr. Thomas Gordon’s belief that “children don’t misbehave, they simply behave to get their needs met.” This training helped caregivers and staff identify the needs behind challenging behaviors and respond in ways that foster growth, trust, and emotional safety.
Ankur also led a workshop called “Nurturing Young Minds: Psychological and Mindful Interventions for Educators” for teachers at Tsoknyi Gechak Ling and Tsoknyi Gargon Ling. The session explored stages of emotional development and provided practical tools for using mindful interventions to encourage positive behaviors in the classroom.
To further support students, Ankur created and distributed booklets on trauma and exam anxiety, equipping children and educators with tools to better understand and manage these common experiences. The team also conducted a focused session on exam anxiety for students preparing for their municipal board exams.
Our peer counseling program continues to grow as well. After a successful refresher course at Olgapuri, peer counselors now participate in monthly orientation and supervision meetings that build their confidence and skills to support classmates with empathy.
Finally, Ankur continues to integrate play-based therapy into its work, recognizing the truth behind Gary L. Landreth’s words: “Toys are children’s words, and play is their language.” Play allows children to express themselves, process emotions, and build resilience. By using play as a therapeutic tool, Ankur’s counselors help children connect with themselves and others, rehearse for life’s challenges, and heal in meaningful ways.
All of this work — from workshops and peer counseling to therapeutic practices — is made possible by your support. Together, we are helping children in Nepal build healthy coping skills, express themselves confidently, and grow into emotionally resilient young people. Thank you for standing with us in this essential work.
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