When most people turn 65, they retire. They start golfing, perhaps, or start that knitting project they always wanted to start but never found the time to do so. Maybe they begin to volunteer, or host dinner parties, or read more books.
Olga Murray is not most people. When she turned 65, she started a nonprofit. In Nepal.
The Sausalito woman didn’t let her age stop her and continues to plug away.
On June 11, she celebrated the 20th anniversary of her Nepalese Youth Opportunity Foundation — and her 85th birthday.
Engage As You Age attended the affair, which drew 200 people to the City Club to celebrate NYOF and the woman who gave it life.
The seeds for Murray’s nonprofit sprouted in 1984 when the retired lawyer (and California Supreme Court clerk) flew solo to Nepal. A chance encounter with an orphanage inspired her to independently sponsor five children.
From that, NYOF was created in 1990, and it has since grown dramatically.
The organization has provided thousands of Nepalese children with educational scholarships, from kindergarten through medical school. NYOF also places children in group homes and pays for living, education and medical expenses.
Murray’s foundation also aims to end the practice of young Nepalese girls being sold into indentured servitude. (You can watch a video about this here.)
Even as an octogenarian, Murray continues to travel to Nepal annually and actually lives there half of the year.
Engage As You Age applauds Murray for her efforts and energy at 85.
2 Comments
Hi Stacey,
Thanks for writing this inspiring article about Olga. She’s a role model for all of us!
Take care,
Gregg
Development Director, Nepalese Youth Opportunity Foundation
Olga is an amazing woman! My students have done fund-raisers for the past year, and have twice donated enough money to sponsor a village child’s education for a year. We hope to continue to support Olga’s work in Nepal for years to come!
Denise Beebe
Assistant Professor
Buena Vista University
Storm Lake, IA