Our Story – The Didi Foundation Inc.

Didi means ‘Sister’ in Nepali

The Didi Foundation’s journey began in 2009, during my first visit to Nepal. I instantly fell in love with the country’s beauty, its people, and the awe-inspiring Himalayas surrounding Kathmandu Valley. In 2011, I was moved by the heart-wrenching story of two orphaned children who desperately needed care. This moment led to me starting Bright Future Learning Centre, a safe home for children, where they could grow and thrive.

Over the years, our team of supporters have witnessed these children grow from sick and malnourished to healthy, confident young adults—who are now pursuing successful careers. This experience opened my eyes to the broader challenges in Nepal, particularly the struggles of mothers who, for various reasons, could not care for their children. I realized that to make a lasting impact, we needed to empower women and help them become financially self-sufficient. This vision led to the creation of The Didi Foundation Inc. with a focus on life skills training for women and enabling them to care for their families.

In partnership with Sudip Koirala, we established Didi Foundation (Nepal) in 2012 and officially registered as a charity. What began with just five donated sewing machines, one rented room, and one teacher has now flourished into a sustainable model that empowers women to break the cycle of poverty.

Where we are Today

Looking back, I never imagined that saying ‘YES’ in 2011 would lead to such profound change. Today, Didi HQ is a vibrant four-story building in Mulpani, Kathmandu, managed by a passionate team of young Nepali changemakers dedicated to supporting women’s empowerment. We have provided programs to over seven thousand women with eighty percent gaining employment. 

Today, over 150 women attend our Vocational Training Centre daily,  where we offer courses in tailoring, industrial sewing, computer literacy, English, beauty, cooking and recently barista training. We mentor our graduates into meaningful employment, helping them create brighter futures for themselves and their families.

Our students come from challenging backgrounds, selected based on their hardship, lack of educational opportunities, and socio-economic challenges. All students must share a desire to succeed and transform their lives.

In alignment with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Didi Foundation Nepal is committed to sustainable development. We also run Didi’s Bakery Café and Didi’s Savings and Credit Cooperative, both on the ground floor of Didi HQs. The cooperative provides low-interest loans to help graduates start or expand their businesses. These initiatives are integral to our vision of creating a sustainable social enterprise model in Nepal.

Forever Grateful

It has taken a truly remarkable tribe of supporters to get us to where we are today. A heartfelt thank you to our donors, supporters, the Australian Embassy in Kathmandu, DFAT, and UNHCR for believing in our mission and making this journey possible.

With your continued support, we look forward to expanding our impact and ensuring the sustainability of Didi HQ for years to come. 

Jan Pryor – Founder.

Our History

(In Chronological Order)