Helen Keller International is a non-profit organization with a vision of a world where no one is deprived of the opportunity to live a healthy life and reach their true potential. Co-founded in 1915 by Helen Keller and George Kessler, our work includes support to grow and eat nutritious food, stave off malnutrition, build strong immune systems, access life-saving medical treatments, and prevent and treat blindness and vision loss for over 80 million people in 20 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the United States.
Helen Keller has been operating in Nepal since 1988, initially focusing on eye care and Vitamin A supplementation, but has since expanded to include maternal and child health and nutrition, nutrition behavior change, and nutrition-sensitive agriculture, among other sectors. We aim to tackle malnutrition and food insecurity in vulnerable communities by building local capacity and ownership; leveraging on strong monitoring, evaluation, and research systems; and advocating for national policies.
In response to the changing development landscape across the globe, Helen Keller has undergone a significant transformation. Formerly, the organization’s strategic focus was divided into three areas: nutrition, health, and neglected tropical diseases. We have now a two-pillar approach that prioritizes the food system and health systems and aims to create more impactful and resilient programs.
The organization is a pioneer in implementing integrated nutrition programs such as Suaahara I & II, Action Against Malnutrition through Agriculture (AAMA), and Sustainable Action for Resilience and Food Security (SABAL).