Maggie Doyne

Maggie Doyne (Nepali: म्यागी डोएन ) (born c. 1987) is an American philanthropist who has built an orphanage, women's centre and school in the Kopila Valley of Nepal. She won the CNN Hero of the Year Award in November 2015.

Early life

Doyne grew up in Mendham Borough, New Jersey with parents Steve and Nancy Doyne and two sisters, Kate and Libby. After she was born, her father quit his job as the manager of a natural food store to be a stay-at-home dad, while her mother worked in real estate. Doyne attended West Morris Mendham High School.

First visit to Nepal

In 2005, following her high school graduation, Doyne took a "gap year" to travel with the organization LeapNow. During that trip, she spent time volunteering at a children's home in northern India. The manager of the home was often away, leaving Doyne in charge of the 50 children who lived there and the 160 children who attended the school. While there, Doyne became friends with a refugee from Nepal and during a cease-fire in the Nepalese Civil War, went with her to visit her home village.