Kathmandu — The Barbara Foundation has clarified the source of its funds after its name was linked with the recent Gen-Z protests. In a statement released on Sunday, the foundation said it had been unnecessarily drawn into controversy.
According to the foundation, the late American citizen Barbara Adams, who spent her entire life in Nepal, transferred her personal assets to the foundation upon her death. Based on that contribution, the foundation received approximately NPR 28.8 million, which has been managed under the Social Welfare Council’s legal framework.
The foundation reported that in the past eight years it has generated around NPR 78.2 million, including interest income. Of this, about NPR 36.4 million has been used for programs and administrative expenses, while approximately NPR 39.5 million remains in bank deposits.
Programs, Impact and Clarification on Alleged Links
The foundation has been running the Investigative Journalism Award, fellowships on environmental and cultural preservation, and a regular “Talk Series.” During the COVID-19 pandemic, it honored 87 healthcare workers across Nepal and awarded journalists engaged in investigative reporting.
The foundation also rejected claims of financial ties with the “We are Nepal” organization, clarifying that cooperation with youths during the pandemic was limited to program-based collaboration only.
The statement concluded: “We want to see a transparent Nepali society, just as we have tried to conduct our own work with transparency. We sincerely urge everyone not to attempt character assassination with the intent of diverting attention from core issues.”
