World Youth International

07/08/2026

The first hour after birth is when breastfeeding support matters most and it's often when it's hardest to access. Kenya's biggest challenge in child survival now lies in the first days of life, with a 29-percentage-point gap between skilled delivery care and the quality of newborn care that follows. (Health Business)

It's a gap that shows up most in the communities furthest from a hospital, or a trained midwife, where a mother might deliver safely, but the support she needs in those first hours and days simply isn't there yet.

Our Nurses in Action volunteers work alongside local health workers in these communities, helping close that gap - one mother, one newborn, at a time.

Nurses In Action Scrub Lab

Source: Kenya Ministry of Health, World Breastfeeding Week 2026 launch

29/07/2026

Sunday marked World Hepatitis Day - a day the World Health Organization uses to shine a light on one of the world's most under-recognised diseases. This year's message: break down the barriers standing between people and the care that could save their lives.

In the communities we work alongside in Nepal and Kenya, those barriers are real. Limited access to testing, distance from clinics, and a lack of awareness all mean hepatitis often goes undiagnosed until it's serious.

It's exactly why our health camps and clinic partnerships matter. The camps our teams run bring basic screening, education and treatment referral closer to people who'd otherwise go without. It's the small, steady work of closing that gap, one community at a time.

09/07/2026

If you missed our last post - the World Youth International and Computershare Change a Life IT College is officially open. And now we want to give you a proper look at what has been built.

Because, behind the ribbon-cutting and the celebrations is a facility that has been carefully thought through, planned and brought to life, with one thing in mind, to give young people in Nepal access to the kind of digital education that opens doors for a lifetime.

Here's a look at what has been built:
💛 A purpose-built IT College with five fully equipped classrooms
💛 The technology and infrastructure students need to learn and thrive in a digital world
💛 A four-year Bachelor of IT program, supporting over 120 students once fully operational
💛 First intake commencing August 2026

This was made possible thanks to Computershare and their incredibly dedicated employees - including those who took part in the recent Trek for Tech through the Grampians, which funded the computers and multimedia equipment now waiting for students to arrive.

This is what eight years of generosity looks like. And we can't wait for the students to see it in August.

02/07/2026

By now you may or may not have seen the news - the World Youth International Change a Life IT College is officially open!

If you've been following our journey for a while, you'll know this moment didn't happen overnight. And if you're new here, we want to take you back to where it all began.

In 2017, employees of Computershare's Change a Life workplace giving program voted to select World Youth International as their global charity partner - with the goal of supporting the WYI School in Gokarna, Nepal. Over the eight years that followed, thousands of Computershare employees have donated monthly through payroll giving, matched dollar for dollar by Computershare, and taken part in incredible fundraising efforts including treks through the foothills of the Himalayas.

That funding has transformed the WYI School. New classrooms. A boarding home. Upgraded science labs and libraries. Scholarships. Teacher wages. Buses. New roads. And more. The school is now one of the most respected in the region - and moving steadily toward long-term self-sustainability.

Then in 2022, Computershare employees voted to take the partnership even further - to build something brand new. An IT College that would bring digital education to young people in Nepal and help sustain the school's operations for generations to come.

On the 30th of May 2026, that vision became a reality - with WYI General Manager Terry Hoey travelling to Kathmandu alongside Computershare CEO Stuart Irving, WYI Directors and the global Computershare team to celebrate the grand opening. The first intake of students will commence in August 2026.

Over the next few weeks we'll be sharing the full story - what was built, who made it possible, and what it means for the students whose lives it will change forever.

But if you can't wait, head to our website now to read the full article: https://worldyouth.org.au/about-us/media-and-news/2026/eight-years-in-the-making-the-story-behind-the-wyi-it-college

23/06/2026

We're proud to share that Infectious diseases expert, Dr Paul Griffin, has officially joined World Youth International as our Health Ambassador!

For 38 years, WYI has been sending volunteers to communities across Kenya, Nepal, Uganda and beyond, and from day one, the safety and wellbeing of every person who travels with us has been at the very centre of how we operate. Having someone of Dr Griffin's standing in Australian public health alongside us, as we continue that work is both a privilege and a milestone, and we could not be more grateful to have him in our corner.

Dr Griffin is one of Australia's leading doctors when dealing with infectious diseases, risk management and global health, and his guidance will help ensure that our volunteers continue to be supported by the strongest possible health and safety framework. From localised risk assessments to active monitoring and thorough preparation, his expertise reinforces an approach that has underpinned WYI's impeccable safety record since 1988.

At WYI, we have always believed that meaningful international experiences and rigorous safety standards go hand in hand. Welcoming Dr Griffin is another step in living that belief - for the benefit of our volunteers, our partners and our wider community.

Safe. Supported. Empowered. Creating positive change together.

18/06/2026

The official theme for Men's Health Week 2026 is 'See Your GP' and is backed by the "101 Reasons to See Your GP" initiative - encouraging men to take proactive steps with their health.

But for many men in the communities we work alongside, seeing a GP isn't a simple decision. For them, even the first step can be the hardest.

Men's Health Week looks different depending on where you live. For many men in Kenya, Nepal and Uganda, it's not about awareness, it's about access. In many of these communities, men (as well as women) face real barriers to accessing healthcare - distance, cost and limited services play a big part. The result is that conditions often go undetected and untreated for weeks, months or even years.

Through our Odede Community Health Centre in Kenya and our Nurses In Action program across Kenya and Nepal, we are working to change that. From hypertension and cardiovascular screening to health education on preventable disease, our teams help ensure that healthcare reaches every member of the community - even when seeing a GP is out of reach.

11/06/2026

In global health, some of the most significant outcomes come from the simplest interventions. Hygiene education is one of them.

When Nurses In Action volunteers deliver community health education sessions across Nepal and Kenya they are doing more than sharing information - they are transferring knowledge that continues to protect communities long after the program has ended.

The evidence behind this approach is well established. Proper hand washing alone is among the most effective and affordable public health interventions available, significantly reducing the transmission of infectious disease - particularly among children under five.

A hand washing session in a small village may seem like a small act. But across families, across generations, across entire communities, it is one of the most powerful things our volunteers can do. This is the work of NIA. This is the mission of World Youth International. And the impact will outlast every program.

04/06/2026

"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

05/05/2026

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.

01/05/2026

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.