AllPeopleBeHappy and Rukmini Foundation bring School Lunches to Children in Nepal
We are excited to announce that AllPeopleBeHappy and the Rukmini Foundation will partner on a school lunch project to address malnutrition among schoolchildren. This project will replicate a similar project at a new partner school and will begin immediately.
The Rukmini Foundation and some of their local partners will work together to make this project a reality. The local municipality will provide partial funding for some of the meals. The first school that implemented such a program and with great success will help guide the launch of this new project. The school’s principal, teachers, and volunteers are on board and have agreed to manage the program. A registered nutritionist will advise on building out menus, and the Rukmini Foundation will work directly with local farmers to provide fresh produce at reasonable costs, so they benefit, while also keeping the overall project costs down.
The Rukmini Foundation’s hope is to see improvements in student BMI, better school attendance, and less household spending on cheaper but less nutritious food.
We are thrilled to be able to collaborate on this project. Please stay tuned for updates throughout the coming months. If you’d like to support this project and our partners at the Rukmini Foundation, please donate here.
Update: April 1st 2025
We’re thrilled to share an update on the Rukmini Foundation’s Community Health Impact Project (CHIP) – Nutrition Program, one of our first inaugural impact projects for 2025.
At Setidevi Secondary School in Talku, 170 students now receive daily nutritious meals—a vital step toward better learning and well-being. Thanks to additional contributions from local government, community donors, and even teachers, the program has now expanded to Bal Sudhar Basic School, where 78 more students benefit from daily meals.
Above: Students are served daily nutritious meals, generally rice, vegetables, and soup.
While still in the early stages, the project’s initial success is evident in the following areas:
Community involvement: School principals, teachers, and local donors actively support the initiative.
Improved nutrition: Students now have access to well-balanced meals, leading to better concentration and energy levels.
Future impact: Expected long-term benefits include increased attendance, improved health, and enhanced academic performance.
Above: Parents attending the inauguration of the Day Meal Program with their children
The Rukmini Foundation remains committed to expanding and sustaining this program and hopes to continue providing healthy meals that empower students to thrive.
Stay tuned for continued updates.
Update: May 8th 2025
Rukmini Foundation has been approved for phase 2 of their Community Health Impact Project (CHIP)! Phase 2 of the project will focus on staff training and mental health. The main activity will be training trainers, which is a very cost-efficient and sustainable way of reaching greater numbers of students. Rukmini will partner with a recognized expert in Nepal for the training, and they hope to build capacity within their staff, their partner schools, and other community leaders.
Update: July 17th 2025
Now in its fourth month, the Mental Health Teacher Training project led by Rukmini Foundation is making powerful strides in strengthening emotional well-being in schools. With support from AllPeopleBeHappy and Dakshinkali Municipality, and guidance from experts at the Nepal Institution of Mental Health, this six-month initiative is equipping educators with the knowledge and tools to better support their students’ mental health.
So far, four out of six training sessions have been completed, reaching 20 participants (13 teachers and 7 Rukmini Foundation staff). Topics covered include mental health basics, stress management, and emotional wellness, delivered through interactive group discussions and role-play activities. Many teachers have already begun applying stress relief techniques like palm and square breathing in their classrooms, and are actively teaching these skills to their students, helping them feel more confident in supporting their students.
This collaborative effort is supported by dedicated volunteers who assist with coordination and logistics. Looking ahead, Rukmini Foundation sees exciting potential to deepen impact through programmatic consulting, research partnerships, and expanded resources.
Update: April 2nd 2026
The Rukmini Foundation’s School Nutrition and Awareness Program is helping create healthier futures for children and families in Nepal. Working across five schools with technical support from Sochai, the initiative provided nutrition education sessions for students and parents, emphasizing balanced diets, the dangers of anemia and ultra-processed foods, and the importance of incorporating locally available nutritious foods into daily meals. At the same time, the program expanded its Day Meal initiative to support students in Grades 6–10, ensuring children have access to nutritious food that supports both learning and overall well-being.
The program directly benefited approximately 300 students and their families from Setidevi Secondary School and Balsudhar Basic School. Beyond improving access to healthy meals, the initiative has contributed to increased school attendance, improved student health, and greater awareness among parents about making informed food choices. Volunteers, teachers, local leaders, and families all played an important role in the project’s success, demonstrating how strong community partnerships can create lasting change. By combining practical support with education, the program is laying the foundation for healthier habits, stronger academic performance, and a community that values nutrition as an investment in its children’s future.
Final Update:
In partnership with Dakshinkali Municipality and with technical guidance from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIOMH), the initiative trained 13 teachers and 7 Rukmini Foundation staff members in mental health awareness, emotional support, self-care, digital well-being, and Psychological First Aid. By equipping educators with practical tools and strategies, the program is empowering schools to better recognize and respond to the emotional needs of students while reducing stigma around mental health.
The impact of this training extends far beyond the 20 participants, reaching hundreds of students across 13 schools. Teachers reported increased confidence in supporting students experiencing stress or emotional challenges and gained valuable skills to promote resilience, mindfulness, and well-being in their classrooms. Participants also emphasized the importance of caring for their own mental health, recognizing that emotionally healthy educators are better able to nurture and guide their students.
Perhaps most importantly, the project is helping create a lasting cultural shift within schools by normalizing conversations about mental health and encouraging early intervention. The combination of practical training, community partnerships, and a focus on self-care is laying the groundwork for more compassionate, resilient school communities where both teachers and students can thrive.