World Youth International

"A once in a lifetime experience and opportunity. Challenging and eye opening, but also so rewarding and fulfilling." That's how past NIA volunteer Courtney describes her time in Odede, Kenya.

And she's not alone. Nurse after nurse, midwife after midwife - they come back changed. More grateful. More grounded. More connected to the profession they chose.

On an NIA program you'll work within a small, close-knit team of no more than 12 volunteers - running medical camps treating up to 300 patients in a single day, delivering maternal and child health care, conducting home visits and educating local communities on hygiene, sanitation and sustainable health practices.

Everything is organised for you. All you need to bring is your skills, your heart and your willingness to show up. If you're a nursing student or registered nurse, midwife or allied health professional and keen to volunteer on one of our programs find out more here: https://worldyouth.org.au/volunteer/nurses-in-action

Something as simple as washing your hands properly can save a life. It sounds almost too straightforward to be true but the evidence is clear. Proper hand hygiene is one of the most effective and affordable ways to prevent the spread of infection, particularly for young children.

In the communities we work alongside in Kenya, Uganda and Nepal, health education is woven into everything we do, and that includes the basics. Teaching children and families about hand washing, hygiene and infection prevention is not a small thing. It is the kind of knowledge that protects entire communities. Because when a child stays healthy, they stay in school. And when they stay in school, everything changes.

Today, we celebrated the official opening of the Computershare & World Youth International IT College in Nepal - a milestone 7 years in the making.

As our General Manager, Terry Hoey put it: “Together, we have collaborated to create one of the great success stories of Nepal. Thank you Stuart, Lucy, Gen and the team at Computershare for placing your trust in us. Onwards and upwards 🙏”

Students enrolled in the four-year Bachelor of IT program will gain world-class digital skills, while fees from the program will directly support the broader WYI school - helping provide education and resources to 800 students.

To the entire Computershare team, thank you for your belief in our mission through the Change A Life workplace giving program. Together, we are building pathways to brighter futures, one student at a time.

Today our CEO Stuart Irving was thrilled to celebrate the official opening of the Computershare & World Youth International IT College in Kathmandu, Nepal. This initiative, funded by our Change A Life workplace giving program, marks a powerful investment in the future of young people through high-quality IT education.

What makes this model truly impactful is its sustainability - fees from students enrolled in the four-year Bachelor of IT program will directly support the broader operations of the WYI school, helping provide education and resources to 800 students.

This is more than a campus opening - it’s a long-term commitment to empowering communities, building digital skills, and creating pathways to brighter futures.

Access to technology is no longer a luxury in education - it is a foundation.

For young people in developing communities, digital literacy opens doors that would otherwise remain closed. The ability to navigate technology, develop IT skills and engage with digital learning tools has a direct and measurable impact on employment outcomes, economic independence and long-term quality of life.

Research consistently shows that communities with access to quality IT education see stronger workforce participation, greater entrepreneurial activity and improved capacity to engage with an increasingly digital global economy. For young people who already face significant barriers to opportunity, these skills are not just valuable - they are transformative.

At World Youth International, we understand that education cannot stand still. Equipping students with relevant, future-focused skills is central to our mission — because the communities we work alongside deserve access to the same opportunities as anyone else.

IT education is not about screens and software. It is about agency, opportunity and the ability to shape your own future.

Today is World Malaria Day, and malaria a cause that sits very close to our heart at World Youth International.

According to the World Health Organisation, there were an estimated 610,000 malaria deaths globally in 2024 - with the WHO African Region accounting for 95% of all cases and deaths. Children under five years of age make up approximately 75% of those deaths.

For the communities we work alongside in Odede, Kenya, this is not a distant statistic - it is an everyday reality. The impact goes beyond health. For adults, malaria means lost income. For children, it means missed school days and disrupted learning - compounding the barriers to education that so many families are already navigating.

That's why we're proud that our Odede Community Health Centre was one of the first medical facilities in Kenya to introduce the RTS,S malaria vaccine for children. Since September 2019, over 245 children have been part of the program. Our Nurses In Action volunteers also work alongside local health professionals to educate communities on prevention - from mosquito net use to early symptom recognition.

As Fred Mito, Director of the Odede Community Health Centre, said: "If malaria rates reduce, children's school attendance would improve - and this would translate into a better future."

That future is what we're working toward.

Nepal is a country of deep cultural heritage, breathtaking landscapes and incredibly resilient communities. It is also one of the places where World Youth International has had the privilege of working for many years, and where we continue to show up, season after season.

So what does that work look like?

Through our WYI school, children in Nepal have access to quality education in an environment built for learning, giving them the foundation and the confidence to shape their own futures. Our Child Scholarship Program ensures that financial barriers don't stand between a child and their education, while our Education Pathways Program supports young people beyond the classroom and into meaningful career opportunities.

And through our Nurses In Action program, volunteer nurses and midwives work alongside local health workers, delivering primary care, health support, and community health education to families across the region.

It is partnership, not charity. It is long-term commitment, not short-term aid. And it is built on genuine respect for the communities, the culture and the people we are privileged to work with.

Nepal holds a very special place in the heart of WYI, and we are proud to keep showing up.

In 2025, WYI School students achieved a 100% pass rate for their +2 (final year) exams.

This outcome reflects consistent access to education, structured support and a stable learning environment over time. It also highlights the impact of long-term investment in schooling, where students are supported through to completion, not just initial access.

For organisations and partners, this is a clear example of how sustained education programs can deliver measurable results and create pathways into further study and employment.

Our Nurses In Action programs are more than just a placement, they're a real, hands-on experience in communities that genuinely need support.

From health camps seeing hundreds of patients to school programs and community outreach, every day is an opportunity to step into real-world healthcare. You’re not just observing, you’re learning how to adapt, communicate and provide care in environments that challenge and grow you in ways you don’t expect.

Our programs are designed for nurses and healthcare workers who want more than theory, offering structured opportunities that build confidence, perspective and practical skills that stay with you long after you return home.

If you’ve been thinking about doing something like this, this is your sign to take the next step.

Applications are open, and placements are limited, apply now: https://worldyouth.org.au/forms/program-application

Education is one of the most effective drivers of long-term social and economic change.

Through our Education Pathways Program, young people are gaining access to skills, training, and opportunities that lead to sustainable employment and greater independence.

The impact extends beyond the individual - contributing to stronger households, more resilient communities, and improved local economies.

This is measurable, scalable impact and how we create lasting change.