Bhanimandal, Lalitpur
Our Nepal work began with emergency medical camps after the 2015 earthquakes — and grew into something steadier. Today, community programmes operate from Bhanimandal in Lalitpur, in partnership with the True Light Foundation, a registered Nepali NGO.
How we got here
In April 2015, a 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck Nepal, followed by a major aftershock in May. Nearly nine thousand people died. Hundreds of thousands of homes were destroyed. The disaster hit rural communities in Gorkha, Dhading, and the Kathmandu Valley especially hard. Thanksgiving Australia's first involvement in Nepal was emergency medical camps in Chitwan and Dhading — deploying volunteer doctors and medical supplies to communities cut off from hospitals by landslides and damaged roads. But aid that disappears when the news cameras leave is not the kind of aid TGA believes in. After the emergency phase ended, we stayed — building a permanent presence in Bhanimandal, Lalitpur, a community on the southern edge of the Kathmandu Valley. Today, our work in Nepal is anchored by the True Light Foundation — a Nepali NGO registered with the government. Together, we run community health, education, and livelihood programmes — the quiet, patient work of walking alongside families over years, not weeks.
True Light Foundation
Nepal NGO Register 165990/073/074
A registered Nepali non-governmental organisation operating community development programmes in Lalitpur and surrounding districts, with deep local relationships and a track record of practical, accountable service.
Programmes in Nepal
Each programme is delivered alongside our local partner — True Light Foundation.
Community Health
Continuing the medical care that began with earthquake response — now as an established community health programme.
- Regular health camps serving families in Bhanimandal and surrounding communities
- Maternal and child health support — prenatal care, vaccinations, and nutrition guidance
- Medical supplies and equipment for local health posts
- Health education workshops on preventable diseases, hygiene, and family wellness
Education & Skills
Supporting children's education and building practical skills for young adults in the Lalitpur area.
- School scholarships for children from low-income families — covering fees, uniforms, and supplies
- After-school tutoring programmes in core subjects
- Vocational skills training for young adults — sewing, carpentry, and computer literacy
- Adult literacy classes, particularly reaching women in the community
Livelihood Development
Helping families build stable incomes through small business support and agricultural initiatives.
- Micro-grants for small family businesses — from tailoring shops to vegetable stalls
- Agricultural support for families farming terraced plots in the hills around Lalitpur
- Savings groups and basic financial literacy training for women in the community
On the ground in Bhanimandal, Lalitpur
Your gift supports families in Nepal — from earthquake response that stayed, to community programmes that endure.
Thanksgiving Australia Incorporated (ABN 13 696 899 427) is endorsed as a Deductible Gift Recipient under Item 1. Gifts of $2 or more are tax-deductible in Australia.
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