Merry Christmas from all of us here at World Youth International!
As Christmas draws near, it’s a special time to pause and reflect on the year that has passed - on the stories, moments and experiences that have shaped our journey. It’s a chance to think about the lives touched, the communities supported, and the meaningful connections that have grown through our work.
This year, World Youth International has witnessed incredible acts of generosity, dedication, and kindness - from volunteers giving their time, to partners and supporters sharing their resources, and communities showing resilience and hope. Christmas is a reminder that these moments of compassion and collaboration are what create lasting change and a brighter future for those we serve.
With gratitude and a sense of wonder at what can be achieved together, I’m proud to share this reflection on the year and the impact made through our shared commitment.
A Message From Our General Manager
2025 has been a productive year for World Youth International (WYI), impacting communities across Nepal, Kenya, and Uganda. Reflecting on my 36 years with WYI, I am continually inspired by what a dedicated team can achieve together.
This year, our Board of Directors developed a 5-year roadmap to guide WYI’s growth, and I would like to acknowledge Natalie Hamood for her leadership in this process.
We celebrated six years of partnership with Computershare, whose support continues to fund the WYI School, Boarding Centre, and IT College. Their staff fundraising and adventure events have raised vital resources for our programs.
WYI also launched Choose Action, enabling companies to design tailored staff engagement and community impact experiences overseas. Volunteer participation remains strong, with 113 Allied Health Professionals contributing across Nepal, Kenya, and Uganda, including our first combined Nurses in Action Program.
Our social media presence has grown to nearly 70,000 followers, reflecting a committed community of healthcare professionals giving back. Special thanks to partners like Kerrie Bunn and Mater Hospital, whose support has enabled staff to engage in multiple programs and fundraising initiatives.
Thank you to our supporters for helping WYI create meaningful change, transform lives, and strengthen communities worldwide.
Education Pathways Program: Creating Sustainable Impact Through Learning
Thanks to the incredible reputation of the WYI School and the generosity of our sponsors and partners, nearly 800 students - including 17 residing at the Centre, are thriving in safe, supportive and inspiring learning environments.
Highlights from the Past Year
- Strong academic progress, supported by dedicated teachers and a nurturing learning environment.
- Extracurricular and cultural activities that build confidence, leadership, and critical thinking.
- Sports programs promoting teamwork, discipline, and resilience.
- Educational excursions connecting students with culture, community, and real-world learning.
- Comprehensive health and wellbeing initiatives, including hygiene programs, vaccinations, dental care, and life-skills workshops.
- Community empowerment, with programs supporting girls’ and women’s leadership, social harmony, and scholarships for disadvantaged students.
Strengthening Communities, Shaping Futures
Our holistic approach ensures the impact of education extends beyond the classroom—building stronger, more inclusive communities and preparing the next generation of compassionate young leaders.
Thank You to Our Supporters
We acknowledge the commitment of our educators, students, and long-standing partners such as Computershare, whose support continues to enhance facilities, scholarships, and vital programs.
Your support ensures more children in Nepal can access the education they deserve.
Supporting a Child Through the Education Pathways Program (EPP)
A key part of our mission this year has been the Education Pathways Program (EPP), which provides targeted support for children facing significant financial, social, or personal barriers to learning. Through EPP, students receive not only scholarships covering tuition, uniforms, meals, and essential resources, but also tailored guidance, mentoring, and emotional support to help them thrive academically and personally.
The impact of EPP is profound. For students who might otherwise be forced to leave school, the program ensures continuity of education, instills confidence, and opens doors to future opportunities. Beyond academic achievement, EPP fosters resilience, self-belief, and life skills, empowering children to overcome challenges and fully engage in school life.
This year, thanks to the generosity of our donors and partners, several students have successfully completed milestones within EPP, setting them on a path toward higher education and meaningful careers. By supporting a child through EPP, you are not only investing in one student’s education - you are helping to break the cycle of disadvantage, strengthen families, and contribute to the growth of vibrant, thriving communities across Nepal.
The Anderson–Zaska Education Scholarship Fund
This year, World Youth International celebrated the launch of the Anderson–Zaska Education Scholarship Fund, a new initiative supporting students at the WYI School in Nepal. Generously established by long-time supporter Neil Anderson, the fund covers essentials like uniforms, meals, books, excursions, exams, and curriculum fees, allowing five students each year to continue their education without financial barriers. Neil has supported WYI for many years through individual sponsorships, contributions to the Sapana Dreaming program, and ongoing monthly donations. Inspired by his father’s belief that education is the key to a better life, Neil’s generosity aligns perfectly with WYI’s mission to empower children through learning.
This year, five remarkable students were awarded scholarships. Dolma (Grade 7) lost both parents and was at risk of dropping out; Anita (Grade 8) is the only child in her family attending school; Prabav (Grade 9) faced family instability that threatened his education; Manika (Grade 11) achieved top grades despite financial hardship; and Sumikshya (Grade 11), the first in her family to complete school-level education, can now focus on her studies without worry. Each of their stories reflects resilience, dedication, and the transformative power of education.
The Anderson–Zaska Education Scholarship Fund goes beyond financial support, it’s a lifeline. The fund ensures that multiple students can complete their 10+2 education and unlock future opportunities. While these five students received support this year, many more still rely on vital assistance. With this fund, and the generosity of supporters like Neil, WYI continues to open doors for children who need it most, helping them build brighter futures and inspiring hope for the years ahead.
Goat Upgrading Project: Empowering Communities in Kenya
Since 1992, World Youth International has partnered with communities in Kenya to deliver initiatives that improve education, health, and livelihoods. One standout program, the Goat Upgrading Project in Homa Bay County, empowers widows, orphans, and vulnerable families affected by HIV through sustainable livestock farming. By introducing exotic Saanen bucks for cross-breeding, households have increased income, improved nutrition, and strengthened social inclusion.
Key achievements include:
- 403 families participating, benefiting over 2,000 children with improved nutrition and access to school fees.
- 68% of households reporting higher incomes, with a 36% average increase through goat milk, meat, and manure.
- 253 farmers trained in livestock management, agribusiness, and climate-smart techniques, boosting skills and confidence.
- 70% of families participating in Village Savings and Lending Associations to reinvest in farming and access health support.
The project uses a “Passing-on-the-Gift” model, ensuring long-term sustainability by encouraging farmers to donate goats to new beneficiaries, fostering community ownership and resilience.
Despite challenges such as climate-related flooding, market fluctuations, and livestock health issues, adaptive strategies like climate-smart agriculture, responsible breeding management, and strengthened VSLAs have maintained progress and strengthened community resilience. Building on Homa Bay’s success, WYI and the Mango Tree Orphan Support Trust Kenya plan to expand the model to Kilifi County, supporting teen mothers through goat farming, education, and agribusiness training to build financial independence and brighter futures.
The Goat Upgrading Project demonstrates how sustainable livestock farming can transform lives - improving income, nutrition, dignity, and hope across generations.
Odede Hospital: Strengthening Healthcare in the Community
Since opening in 2013, Odede Hospital has become a cornerstone of the community, providing medical care to over 120,000 patients and earning recognition as the best maternal health facility in western Kenya. Serving the 20,000-strong Odede district, the hospital goes beyond treatment, supporting community health, education, and empowerment initiatives. WYI programs include healthcare awareness, dental and hygiene camps, income-generating projects, and HIV education—contributing to one of the lowest HIV rates in Western Kenya.
Over the past year, the hospital treated 5,320 patients, despite challenges including the sudden collapse of the government-funded NHIF insurance scheme, which left many families unable to afford care. Thanks to the generosity of Nurses in Action volunteers, additional funds have supported vital services, including new equipment, medical supplies, birthing packs, solar energy solutions, and facility upgrades such as a covered walkway and maternity improvements.
Looking ahead, WYI plans to expand Odede Hospital with a new operating theatre and recovery ward, enabling care for more patients locally and moving the hospital closer to becoming self-sufficient.
This year, 113 volunteer nurses and healthcare professionals contributed through the Nurses in Action and Global Adventurers Programs. Their efforts have strengthened local medical teams, delivered essential care, and extended health education across the community - covering hand hygiene, maternal and sexual health, nutrition, and disease prevention.
The dedication and professionalism of WYI volunteers continue to enhance local healthcare, empower communities, and foster meaningful cultural exchange and development.
Nurses In Action
This year, the Nurses in Action (NIA) volunteer program continued to grow across Kenya and Nepal, while further strengthening its long-standing presence in Uganda. World Youth International has been working in Uganda for over 15 years, and in 2025 we built on this long-standing presence by delivering a combined Kenya and Uganda Nurses in Action program. This integrated approach enables NIA volunteers to support communities across both countries where access to essential healthcare remains limited, preventable illness is prevalent, and gaps persist in maternal and child health services. Through clinical support, health education, and capacity-building initiatives, the program continues to strengthen local health systems and respond to community-identified needs.
Volunteers delivered care through health camps, treating hundreds of patients for common illnesses and supporting vital maternal and child health services. Through school-based programs, they educated approximately 800 students per placement on hygiene, nutrition, sexual health, and mental wellbeing. Community outreach initiatives saw volunteers supporting sick, elderly, disabled, and bedridden individuals in their homes, while hospital placements enabled participants to gain hands-on clinical experience alongside local health services.
In total, 113 participants took part in the program this year, each receiving CPD certification and a complimentary set of WYI-branded scrubs, generously provided by Scrub Lab. We have been incredibly fortunate to continue our partnership with Scrub Lab, whose ongoing support ensures every Nurses in Action volunteer is equipped with high-quality, practical, and stylish scrubs. Seeing volunteers proudly wearing their Scrub Lab scrubs throughout their placements reinforced a strong sense of professionalism and unity, while highlighting the tangible impact of this valued partnership - one we look forward to continuing and growing in 2026.
The impact of Nurses in Action continues to be profound, improving health outcomes in underserved communities, strengthening local health systems, and empowering young people and families with the knowledge to maintain their wellbeing. For volunteers, the program offers invaluable professional development, cultural competency, and leadership skills, helping to cultivate the next generation of compassionate healthcare leaders.
Informed by feedback from past volunteers, we are also preparing to launch a new two-week condensed Nurses in Action program. This shorter format has been designed to increase accessibility for healthcare professionals while maintaining the program’s impact, quality training, and meaningful community engagement.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all volunteers, partners, and supporters - together, we are creating meaningful and lasting change around the world.
Healthcare Heartbeat
During 2025, Healthcare Heartbeat continued to support the healthcare workforce through a collaboration with nursing agency Altaira and the Australian Nursing & Midwifery Federation - SA Branch. We successfully delivered "PulsePoint," a tailored mental fitness program facilitated by Katheryn Curnow, designed to equip aged care nurses with critical tools to recognise stress and prevent burnout. Extending our care to the next generation, we also supported graduating nursing students at the ANMEC Industry Linkage Day, which was facilitated by our Nurses In Action Team Leader Kally Hooper. To complement this mental health support, nurses received nutritious meals from our Pulse Provider, The Family Cook. Since launching in 2021, Healthcare Heartbeat has enabled over 70 healthcare and emergency workers to access free, holistic resources, ranging from mental fitness training and leadership courses to meal deliveries and wellness packs. Designed to address the root causes of burnout, our programs equip workers with practical tools that improve individual wellbeing and patient care. Thanks to key partnerships with Altaira and Xeople, and a network of Pulse Providers, we can provide vital resources, ensuring a healthier, more resilient workforce.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Thank you for standing with World Youth International and for believing in the power of people working together for good. We wish you and your loved ones a joyful, safe, and restful festive season, and we look forward to continuing this meaningful work together in the year ahead. Merry Christmas.
