Breaking the Cycle

of Poverty

and Stigma

Empowering Nepal's most vulnerable populations through mental health care, economic opportunities, and community leadership.


Breaking the Cycle

of Poverty

and Stigma

Empowering Nepal's most vulnerable populations through mental health care, economic opportunities, and community leadership.


Breaking the Cycle

of Poverty

and Stigma

Empowering Nepal's most vulnerable populations through mental health care, economic opportunities, and community leadership.


Our Approach

Imagine enduring extreme poverty or discrimination in a remote rural area while suffering from mental illness, or caring for someone who does. This is the harsh reality for many individuals, and LEADS is taking significant steps to change it.


Our APPROACH is holistic, addressing every aspect of their lives to transform living conditions and create lasting, meaningful change that empowers them for the future.

Our Programs

MENTAL HEALTH ASSISTANCE and SERVICE IMPROVEMENT

We organize mental health camps with psychiatrists for diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care, while fostering coordination among stakeholders in mental health to enhance services.

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS TO REDUCE STIGMA

We help patients and carers understand and manage mental illness and organize awareness campaigns and workshops to reduce stigma surrounding it.

SUPPORT FOR CARERS and VULNERABLE INDIVIDUALS

We assist carers, Dalit families, single women, and those in extreme poverty in accessing resources, support, and empowerment opportunities.

EMPOWERING THROUGH SKILLS AND TRAINING

We provide vocational training in areas like poultry farming, vegetable production and handicrafts, alongside specialized training for staff and carers to strengthen their skills.

COMMUNITY-BASED INITIATIVES

We build mutual aid networks, starting with carers' self-help groups that form clusters and expand into associations and cooperatives, driving sustainable change and independence.

LIVELIHOOD AND ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT

We promote financial independence for people with mental illness and carers through income-generating activities, fostering empowerment, stability, and long-term economic security.

Our Approach

Imagine enduring extreme poverty or discrimination in a remote rural area while suffering from mental illness, or caring for someone who does. This is the harsh reality for many individuals, and LEADS is taking significant steps to change it.


Our APPROACH is holistic, addressing every aspect of their lives to transform living conditions and create lasting, meaningful change that empowers them for the future.

Our Programs

MENTAL HEALTH ASSISTANCE and SERVICE IMPROVEMENT

We organize mental health camps with psychiatrists for diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care, while fostering coordination among stakeholders in mental health to enhance services.

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS TO REDUCE STIGMA

We help patients and carers understand and manage mental illness and organize awareness campaigns and workshops to reduce stigma surrounding it.

SUPPORT FOR CARERS and VULNERABLE INDIVIDUALS

We assist carers, Dalit families, single women, and those in extreme poverty in accessing resources, support, and empowerment opportunities.

EMPOWERING THROUGH SKILLS AND TRAINING

We provide vocational training in areas like poultry farming, vegetable production and handicrafts, alongside specialized training for staff and carers to strengthen their skills.

COMMUNITY-BASED INITIATIVES

We build mutual aid networks, starting with carers' self-help groups that form clusters and expand into associations and cooperatives, driving sustainable change and independence.

LIVELIHOOD AND ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT

We promote financial independence for people with mental illness and carers through income-generating activities, fostering empowerment, stability, and long-term economic security.

Our Approach

Imagine enduring extreme poverty or discrimination in a remote rural area while suffering from mental illness, or caring for someone who does. This is the harsh reality for many individuals, and LEADS is taking significant steps to change it.


Our APPROACH is holistic, addressing every aspect of their lives to transform living conditions and create lasting, meaningful change that empowers them for the future.

Our Programs

MENTAL HEALTH ASSISTANCE and SERVICE IMPROVEMENT

We organize mental health camps with psychiatrists for diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care, while fostering coordination among stakeholders in mental health to enhance services.

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS TO REDUCE STIGMA

We help patients and carers understand and manage mental illness and organize awareness campaigns and workshops to reduce stigma surrounding it.

SUPPORT FOR CARERS and VULNERABLE INDIVIDUALS

We assist carers, Dalit families, single women, and those in extreme poverty in accessing resources, support, and empowerment opportunities.

EMPOWERING THROUGH SKILLS AND TRAINING

We provide vocational training in areas like poultry farming, vegetable production and handicrafts, alongside specialized training for staff and carers to strengthen their skills.

COMMUNITY-BASED INITIATIVES

We build mutual aid networks, starting with carers' self-help groups that form clusters and expand into associations and cooperatives, driving sustainable change and independence.

LIVELIHOOD AND ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT

We promote financial independence for people with mental illness and carers through income-generating activities, fostering empowerment, stability, and long-term economic security.

Our Story


FROM DESPAIR TO HOPE: THE ORIGIN OF LEADS In 2004, during the conflict between Maoist insurgents and the Nepali government, Padam Shrestha saw the heartbreaking effects of poverty and mental illness on a family. The parents, overwhelmed by severe depression, were frozen by fear and unable to leave their small, dark living space, where they were living in terrible conditions. Meanwhile, their daughters, just 15 and 17 years old, were forced into prostitution to support the family. Padam stepped in to help them escape this desperate situation, but the war brought more tragedy, taking the lives of both parents and one of their sons. This painful experience motivated Padam to start LEADS in 2010, an organization focused on reducing the suffering caused by mental illness and poverty.

Our Team

Our Team

  • Boluwaji Durogbola

    text

    Beekeeping initiative has helped in diversifying my streams of income and promoting my farming experience. I managed apiary for not less that fifteen farmers, harvesting and processing for them as a paid service

  • Patricia, Ghana

    text

    I will use my honey money from this harvest to provide meals for my children and buy some essential items. Beekeeping is so important for us now.

  • Jostina Biira

    text

    We no longer fear bees and are excited to see more hives colonized. We have respect in our village. People now come to visit our Apiary as it is the only one they have seen in our village!

Dr.Padam Shrestha

Founder and Executive Director

Padam has led LEADS since its founding in 2010, driving strategic planning, fundraising and stakeholder engagement. He previously collaborated with development agencies like DFID and UNFPA, overseeing impactful health and community projects. His leadership ensures effective operations and long-term sustainability.

MONA BHANDARI

Administration and Finance Manager

Mona oversees accounting, budgets, and audits, ensuring compliance and financial accuracy. Her expertise supports LEADS’ mission by maintaining operational integrity and effective resource management.

SADHANA DHAKAL:

Gender and Women Entrepreneurship Officer

Sadhana leads gender-inclusive strategies at LEADS, coordinating programs in mental and reproductive health, and training health volunteers. Previously with TPO Nepal, she has advanced advocacy and policies that empower women entrepreneurs and promote equitable systems.

NISHA GC MAHAT

Programme Coordinator

Nisha facilitates the growth of Carers´Associations and Cooperatives, enabling self-governance and advocacy for carers' rights. She oversees program implementation and works with district networks to amplify carers' voices in policy discussions.

BIBEK KC

Livelihoods Programme Coordinator

Bibek collaborates with project staff and Carers’ Cooperatives to enhance agricultural productivity. He plans, trains, and supports farmers while promoting sustainable practices to improve crop and livestock yields, directly benefiting carers and individuals with mental illness.

Meet them all

Meet them all

Meet them all

Our supporters

Ian Grant

I came across Bees Abroad through a talk by Richard Ridler and immediately saw the benefits of encouraging beekeeping in Africa. I now donate any fees that I receive for my talks and when I collect swarms as I know that this money can change lives.

Betty

I have been raising money on my own for Bees Abroad by making and selling little pine cone Bees. I have managed to raise £300 which turned into £675 during the BIG Give week. It makes me feel happy knowing that the money I can raise for Bees Abroad is helping to change the world.

Nadia

I like to invest my effort in every activity which I deem sustainable, and Bees Abroad is one of them: sustainable environmentally and financially. Moreover, the team of volunteers is very good company!

Anthony

I was glad to help your beekeeping cause with a donation. Your organization is doing great work especially by advancing beekeeping training to others. It is a noble cause.

✨

Connect to Content

Add layers or components to infinitely loop on your page.

✨

Connect to Content

Add layers or components to infinitely loop on your page.

Current supporter

Past supporters


WE NEED YOUR HELP

Together, we have the power to create a future where mental health is prioritized, poverty is conquered, and every individual has access to the care and opportunities they deserve.

Join us in making a lasting impact! Your involvement will help empower individuals to thrive with dignity, hope, and a renewed sense of possibility.

Donate

+977-61-580943
Pokhara Metropolitancity-3

info@leadsnp.org


WE NEED YOUR HELP

Together, we have the power to create a future where mental health is prioritized, poverty is conquered, and every individual has access to the care and opportunities they deserve.

Join us in making a lasting impact! Your involvement will help empower individuals to thrive with dignity, hope, and a renewed sense of possibility.

Donate

+977-61-580943
Pokhara Metropolitancity-3

info@leadsnp.org


WE NEED YOUR HELP

Together, we have the power to create a future where mental health is prioritized, poverty is conquered, and every individual has access to the care and opportunities they deserve.

Join us in making a lasting impact! Your involvement will help empower individuals to thrive with dignity, hope, and a renewed sense of possibility.

Donate

+977-61-580943
Pokhara Metropolitancity-3

info@leadsnp.org

Our Work

Get Involved

Blog

Donate

Donate