Dayaram Bhakta Mathema, a devoted statesman for the Royal family, spent over five decades serving the state and the public. Born on January 25, 1927, he witnessed firsthand the dire state of education and health services in Nepal during the early 1940s. This experience ignited a deep-seated desire to foster positive change, which eventually led to the establishment of the Daya Foundation.
The Foundation, inspired by Mr. Mathema's vision, is committed to enhancing education, health, and cultural preservation. A staunch advocate for women's higher education and empowerment, the Daya Foundation launched its inaugural project, the "Kanti Ishwari Scholarship," in August 2009. This scholarship annually supports five women pursuing master's degrees in women's studies at Padma Kanya Campus, Tribhuvan University.
Since its inception, the Daya Foundation has not slowed its pace of innovation. It initiated a mid-day meal program at Bidhodaya School in Kathmandu and Bhairav Prathmik School in Dhulikhel, aiming to meet the nutritional needs of students in government schools. The Foundation also supports the Early Rehabilitation Centre (ERC) from its early days, contributes to the publication of Braille books, and has launched social entrepreneurship activities for the visually impaired.
In the health sector, the Daya Foundation has collaborated with Dhulikhel Hospital, Chetrapati Clinic, and Nepal Ambulance Service, sponsoring essential health service machines and organizing comprehensive community health camps. Additionally, it actively engages in cultural preservation efforts, such as restoring temples, water sprouts, and maintaining the historic Mathema family home in Om: Bahal tole, Kathmandu.
Though Mr. Mathema passed away in 2008, his vision continues to thrive through the ongoing efforts of the Daya Foundation. Today, the foundation remains dedicated to developing innovative programs that significantly benefit community welfare and development.
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