Lars Olsen

In 2004, Lars Olsen travelled from his home town of Hervey Bay to Nepal to volunteer at a children’s orphanage. During this time, he became deeply disturbed by the systemic problems of malnutrition, abuse and poor levels of care that plagued the orphanage. Upon returning to Australia, Lars devoted himself to improving the lives of Nepalese orphans and worked to establish the Forget-Me-Not Children’s Home in Kathmandu. From the orphanage’s humble beginnings where it housed six orphan girls, Lars has led a tireless fundraising effort that has seen the Forget-Me-Not Children’s Home grow dramatically. By the end of 2007, the home is expected to house 20 orphan children and employ six full time local staff. Lars, 25, also works full time as a swim coach and Assistant Manager at the Hervey Bay Aquatic Centre