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Unforgotten Fund Project (2021 - ongoing) 

Unforgotten Fund Project: Journey and Milestones since 2021

 

2021: Launch and First Steps 

  • PSD Nepal, in partnership with the Unforgotten Fund, began supporting waste picker families and orphaned children in Kathmandu
  • The first cohort included 15 children (ages 6-16), prioritized for non-formal education and basic learning materials
  • The focus from day one was equal support for girls and boys, targeting children with single or no parents and living near dumping sites
  • Parents and families participated in awareness training on hygiene, health, and children's rights for long-term empowerment

 

2022: Growth and Holistic Support

  • The program expanded: 36 children (21 orphans in Lalitpur, 15 children from waste pickers' families in Kathmandu) now received access to formal education and daily extra tutoring
  • PSD established the Learning Center, a safe evening space offering school help, personal development, play and basic computer skills from nursery to grade 8
  • Each child's strengths and challenges were tracked, and families continued to benefit from group awareness sessions on health, hygiene, and rights
  • Regular scholarships and daily monitoring strengthened educational outcomes and family engagement
  • The center became a hub for creativity, support, and motivation among the children

 

2023: Expanding Impact

  • The project reached 41 children in Lalitpur and Kathmandu, with two hours of extra classes each day, scholarships, and expanded holistic support
  • Academic achievement and literacy rates improved steadily, alongside boosts in self-confidence and social skills
  • PSD Nepal distributed essential supplies (stationery, sports items, nutritional packages) and organized regular medical check-ups for health monitoring
  • Families were increasingly involved in activities and decision-making, reinforcing social and emotional development for all children

 

2024: Infrastructure and Health

  • 42 children, including orphans and waste pickers' kids, benefited from continued support in education, scholarships, health, and career counseling
  • medical professionals provided regular check-ups, consultations, and targeted treatments, while PSD Nepal improved infrastructure at homes by installing clean water systems and safe sanitation facilities 
  • The project prioritized a safe learning/living environment, healthy nutrition, and daily progress monitoring, working towards breaking cycles of hardship
  • Career counseling sessions exposed children to diverse aspirations, from IT to medicine, helping connect dreams with concrete next steps

 

2025: Resilience, Advocacy, and Future Vision

  • PSD Nepal maintained daily support for 21 orphaned children and 21 waste picker children, focusing on formal education, personal development, and daily extra learning
  • Water and sanitation infrastructure further improved, ensuring safe, healthy living spaces for all beneficiaries
  • Awareness programs on health, hygiene, and children’s rights remained central, and family engagement became a foundation for lasting change
  • The project’s success highlighted the necessity of donor support, partnership building, and innovative program design in reaching Nepal’s most at-risk children
  • PSD Nepal committed to ongoing updates, advocacy, and transparency, sharing progress with supporters and inviting further involvement in building futures for vulnerable children
  • A highlight of the year was the School Leaving Certificate results: Siddhartha (Babylon National School) secured an A+ with a GPA of 3.95, Saloni (Babylon National School) achieved an A with 3.57, Shristi (Namuna English School) received a B with 2.68, and Sitashma (Namuna English School) earned a C+ with 2.50. These achievements reflect both progress and the need for continued support -  We are really proud of them! :) 

 

The Learning Center

The PSD Nepal Learning Center was established to provide a safe, nurturing, and creative environment for children from waste picker families - offering them more than just a place to learn. In the early years of life, children experience rapid brain development, making a supportive community space essential for healthy growth, identity formation, and socialization.

Our Learning Center is designed for children from Nursery up to 8th grade, with daily sessions (Sunday to Friday, 5–7 PM) that focus not only on academics but also on play, imagination, and personal development. The primary goal is to keep children away from hazardous dumping sites, ensuring they have a secure space to discover, play, and thrive through place-based and holistic education.

At the Center, each child’s strengths and challenges are addressed individually - whether that’s improving writing skills, building confidence in English, or sparking curiosity through interactive lessons and basic computer literacy. Interns and educators engage the children in English, helping them develop language abilities, social skills, and digital literacy in a supportive setting.

The Learning Center is more than tuition: it is a place where students are encouraged to enjoy learning, express themselves, and grow as individuals. Daily monitoring and tailored support allow us to track each child's progress closely, celebrating their talents while helping them overcome learning obstacles.

This impactful initiative is made possible by the generous support of the Unforgotten Fund and many donors. Together, we are building brighter futures, one child - and one joyful learning experience - at a time.