Optimist Movement in Nepal
The Optimist Movement in Nepal has its roots in the devastating 2015 earthquake, which claimed thousands of lives and left hundreds of thousands of Nepalis homeless as entire villages were flattened. Among its many consequences, the education system in numerous villages nearly collapsed. In response, a group of community service enthusiasts launched a program in community schools focused on adolescent wellbeing, with the goal of helping students return to their education.
The program facilitated direct interaction between adolescents and experts, with the aim of strengthening psychosocial health. These workshops made it evident that pessimism was deeply rooted in the adolescents’ minds, posing a serious risk to their future lives and livelihoods. This underscored the need for programs that foster positive emotions and nurture an optimistic mindset in children and adolescents. This realization led to the launch of the Optimist Movement in Nepal, founded by Uday Niraula, with Prithvi Raj Thapa as co-founder.
The Movement then launched wellbeing programs with the support of local minds and resources, focused on fostering hope among adolescents, while Mr. Niraula simultaneously began researching the foundational principles of optimism to cultivate hope. During this research, he came across The Optimist Creed, the guiding creed of Optimist International. Drawn to its message, Mr. Niraula explored Optimist International further and discovered that the organization is dedicated to promoting optimism as a philosophy of life while supporting the development of children and adolescents.
He then emailed Optimist International, expressing his desire to collaborate in promoting optimism and bringing out the best in children and adolescents. Within a couple of days, he received an equally enthusiastic response from Jim Boyd, the Director of Strategic Growth. It was May 11, 2017. Just 20 days later, after completing the formalities, Nepal’s first Optimist Club — the Optimist Club of Kathmandu — came into existence on May 31, 2017.
The Optimist Movement in Nepal has experienced rapid growth since its inception, marked by key milestones and unwavering enthusiasm. The first national conference was held in 2018, followed by a historic event in Pokhara in 2019, attended by Jim Boyd, a driving force behind the movement. A major breakthrough came on November 17, 2020, when Optimist International officially recognized the Nepal District — the first district of Optimist International outside North America. The Optimist Movement in Nepal is grateful to Jim Boyd, Director of Strategic Growth, and Mark Weinsoff, 2020–2021 President of Optimist International for their tireless efforts and unwavering support in strengthening the movement in Nepal and helping to establish the Nepal District.
The Convention Was Organized in Hybrid Mode During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Furthering its mission, the Nepal District launched the Asia-Pacific Optimist Conference (APOC) in March 2022 to unite Optimists across the region, strengthen social and professional ties, and promote a shared vision of optimism and hope.
The Optimist Movement in Nepal is dedicated to fostering hope in individuals and communities through the development of optimism. At the heart of its mission is the promotion of wellbeing, grounded in the core purpose of embracing optimism as a philosophy of life. To fulfill this commitment, the organization has implemented a set of strategies, collectively known as the Wellbeing Initiatives, designed to help individuals, especially children and adolescents, cultivate wellbeing and lead fulfilling lives.
The Optimist Movement in Nepal now operates under the flag of Optimist International, and we are committed to holding this flag high with pride and purpose. This is a journey we have wholeheartedly embraced, and we will continue to keep the Optimist flag flying high in Nepal.