OUR PARTNER IN NEPAL Bhuvaneshwori Satyal Foundation
Nearly 30 years ago, the late Mrs. Bhuvaneshwori Satyal established the Center for Child Studies and Development (CCSD) a program for early childhood education for children of poor and migrant families. In 2009, CCSD became a partner of the Mitrata-Nepal Foundation for Children, Inc. and in 2012, expanded to manage the underprivileged children in our sponsorship programs in boarding schools, living at home with guardians, and attending universities and colleges. In 2013, CCSD changed its legal name to the Bhuvaneshwori Satyal Foundation (BSF) in honor of the late Mrs. Satyal, a pioneer in social work with children in Kathmandu.
While school education comprises the main focus of BSF, fulfilling other needs of the children is important for successful outcomes. BSF operates with a holistic approach to the well-being of the children by providing healthcare, counseling, and coordination with schools and doctors, among other services. Staff from Mitrata make annual trips to oversee our programs, while BSF manages the daily operations and needs of our education and health services for our children in Nepal.
Christine with BSF board members and the late Mrs Satyal (3rd from left) who is sorely missed.
Since its founding, BSF has brought about immeasurable, positive change to the lives of the many children they have served from disadvantaged families and difficult backgrounds. We are grateful for BSF’s unending commitment to our children’s health and education.
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BSF STAFF
LEENA SATYAL
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Leena began working as program manager of CCSD as she was deeply motivated by the work of the late Mrs. Bhuvaneshwori Satyal. Leena feels her involvement with BSF has changed her own life profoundly. In her words, "It helped me realize better that each child is unique and precious, and the best way to secure a child's future is through education."
Leena played a pivotal role in ensuring successful migration of the Mitrata-Nepal children from its previous partner in Nepal and also in ensuring a smooth transition of those children into their new environments.
Leena is Executive Director of BSF, serves as the main liaison to Mitrata-Nepal and continues to oversee the Contact Center (early childhood education) program. She and her team in Nepal work closely with the children, their families, the schools and their doctors to ensure the health and well being of each child. She has a B.A. degree and many years working in nonprofit leadership.
ACHYUT KRISHNA BHATTA
PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Achyut Krishna Bhatta holds a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Sociology. With over one and a half years of experience at BSF, Achyut supports both school and college students in their educational and personal development. He is passionate about creating inclusive spaces that empower students to overcome challenges and achieve their full potential.
ANJU KHADKA
JUNIOR PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Anju Khadka joined BSF on May 11, 2025, as a Junior Program Coordinator. With a bachelor’s degree in Social Work, she is excited to step into a role that will allow her to make a positive difference in the lives of children. Since joining the organization, Anju has developed key skills in report writing, program coordination, reflective listening, and emotional intelligence.
MINA DEVI TAMANG
SENIOR TEACHER, CONTACT CENTER 1
Mina joined BSF in 2015 as a primary teacher in the Contact Center. She has been trained in Montessori teaching methods and Psychosocial Support. She creates the course structure for her classes, which includes planning and presenting lessons for her students. Mina researches and develops new teaching materials, records student performance, and maintains her students’ health updates. She analyzes the students’ strengths, abilities, talents and interests; while ensuring they receive the proper love, care, and respect. Mina is deeply committed to BSF’s mission and finds great pride in serving vulnerable children.
Mina says, “I am very proud to be a part of BSF as it has always helped many parentless children, single women’s children, familyless children and underprivileged children. It is my honor to be a part of BSF, and I will be always thankful to BSF for having me as a staff.”
TINA CHETTRI
NURSERY TEACHER, CONTACT CENTER 2
Tina Chettri joined BSF in January 2024 after completing her postgraduate studies in Social Work. She teaches pre-primary classes for the nursery aged children at the Contact Center. She is also an enthusiastic dance teacher and kids love her classes. Tina describes BSF as her second home and feels blessed to be part of a caring and inspiring team.
YAGYA RAJ PHULARA
SENIOR TEACHER, CONTACT CENTER 2
Yagya Raj Phulara is a committed educator with nearly 10 years of teaching and leadership experience. Currently pursuing a Master’s in Education, he has served as a school principal and actively collaborated with NGOs/INGOs in education and health programs for underprivileged children. At BSF, he manages admissions, reports, home visits, and classroom teaching, always prioritizing an inclusive and child-friendly approach.
KUMARI BIMALA JOSHI
PSYCHOSOCIAL COUNSELOR
Bimala has been working as a counselor at BSF serving the children and families. Since 2004, she has worked and gained experience helping vulnerable and marginalized communities through her positions with several non-governmental organizations. Her recent focus at BSF has been on increasing mental health awareness, wellbeing, and psychosocial support through individual, group, couple, and family counseling. Bimala has a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts in Population Education and is completing a Bachelor of Arts in Law. She has completed training programs in Counseling, Psychosocial Counseling, Trauma Response, and Child Sexual Abuse.
LEKHNATH POUDEL
FINANCE AND HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER
Lekhnath joined BSF in 2013 as finance officer and through his discipline and hard work he has now grown in his position to managing human resource processes. Some of his key responsibilities include preparing financial budgets, the day-to-day management of finances and human resources, and timely governmental reporting. Lekhnath earned a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting and Auditing and has completed certificate programs in Computers, Human Resources and Administration.
According to Lekhnath: “I am grateful to have the opportunity for the last many years to personally participate in the process that BSF and Mitrata have jointly undertaken to help the children coming from socially and economically challenged families, by primarily empowering them through education and also by fulfilling some of their basic needs like nutrition and overall health and well-being.”
MERINA KARKI
HEALTH CARE ASSISTANT
Merina Karki is a registered nurse who joined BSF in January 2024. She is responsible for managing the overall health status of BSF’s members, as well as coordinating medical appointments, distributing medications, and monitoring the overall wellness of the children. Merina finds great fulfillment in her work and takes pride in contributing to BSF’s mission.
YOGESH SATYAL
BSF BOARD PRESIDENT
Yogesh works as a freelance trainer consultant, executive coach and university management lecturer. He completed his Executive MBA from Ace Institute of Management, Pokhara University. Yogesh has always been very taken with the work of his mother, the late Mrs. Bhuvaneshwori Satyal, and her unwavering love and service to the countless disadvantaged and underprivileged children of Nepal. Yogesh serves as chairperson of the BSF board helping to continue and extend her legacy through his guidance and vision. In his own words, "The Mitrata-BSF cooperative partnership has brought about positive change through education in the lives of numerous severely underprivileged children of Nepal over the last several years. And there couldn't have been a better tribute to Mrs. Satyal and a way to celebrating her exemplary life and work."
Bhuvaneshwori Satyal Foundation
Chakrapath
Ward No. 3
Kathmandu Nepal
Nepal Social Welfare Council No: 38211