There’s always that one thing we dream about — a day when everything falls into place, when life finally makes sense, when we accomplish something, and a sense of fulfillment seems to wrap itself around us like a warm blanket.  We hope that one dream will eventually come true, getting rid of our worries and disappointment. 

Aleena remembers the day when her school teacher asked her what she wanted to be when she grew up. “I want to be a nurse,” she had replied with enthusiasm and determination. The power of her dream coursed through her veins. Her teacher had clapped her hands and told her that she can and  would be a GREAT nurse one day. Aleena wished for it to happen. 

Aleena didn’t dream of becoming a nurse just because she woke up one day and felt very ambitious. In fact, it happened slowly and observantly. During her childhood days, she saw many wounded and fragile people visiting Kopila Valley School for support. Whether it was physically or emotionally, they always sought help. The school’s clinic and wellness team were always there, in the front, helping and healing. She wondered what it would feel like to help someone. Her caring and nurturing nature always brought her to the bedside of ill family and friends. Attending to their needs brought her a deep and meaningful sense of fulfillment. 

SMALL WORLD

“I have been very lucky in life. And I say it with profound  gratitude, knowing that not everyone gets the opportunities and blessings I’ve had. As the daughter of the businessman who owns the only transportation business in Surkhet called  ‘Incharge of Transportation,’ I’ve had nothing in life to worry about. I have an older brother and two parents who love us from all the fibers in their body.

“I felt incredibly fortunate to be accepted into Kopila Valley School when it first opened, as access to quality education can be rare from where I am. Although my family is relatively financially stable and I hadn’t faced the same hardships as many of my peers, the opportunity to attend such a school was a significant advantage. I believe luck has always been on my side. 

“It was there in Kopila Valley school  when the reality of the world struck me. There were hundreds of stories filled with loss, grief, and children who lived a life I had not experienced. I knew that the bubble of my small world had popped. Being a part of Kopila Valley School has been a transformative journey, teaching me invaluable lessons in humility and gratitude. My time in Kopila showed me that I had been living in a very small world, and there was much to see for me. I intended to break out of my small world and help others in the form of a nurse.” 

FEAR AND DOUBTS

However, Aleena knew that most goals you set as a child often get left in the past. She saw many ambitious people taking completely different routes than they planned due to change of heart or circumstances. Passions don’t feed your bellies. Securing a job that pays you a hefty amount is the goal for many people, in the end. You will find rare people following their passions. 

When Aleena was 17 years old, a fear slowly crept into her mind. What if nursing is not the path for her? Doubts started surfacing in every cell in her body, infusing stress. She remembered something someone had once said to her, ‘Change is a part of you, and you have to learn to accept it,’ so she knew that if change must come to her dreams, then  she will accept it without any regrets. But until that time, she will follow the path she planned. 

When in doubt, Aleena knew that she could move past her doubts and fears about the decision by taking a brave step. And she was stunned by her own bravery when she found herself applying for a nursing course in Kathmandu as soon as she graduated in 2023. She says, “My dream was something I always looked forward to. You know how we look forward to the next episode or a next season of a really good TV show with anticipation and thrill? My dream was just like an upcoming season of my favorite TV show. I couldn’t wait for the day I would go to college to study nursing.” 

Today, Aleena is a Bachelor’s of Science nursing student in one of Nepal’s most prestigious colleges, Kantipur Academy Of Health Sciences. Every day she is exploring her skills, whether it is in school or in hospitals, as she learns to tend to people. “I feel like I have never belonged anywhere else before like the way I feel belonging when I am visiting hospitals as part of my course. The thrill, the excitement, the will to learn something new each day is my happy pill.” Finishing her first year, she tells us that she couldn’t ask for anything better in life. Not many people have the luxury to love what they do, and she finds herself to be one of few whose life-long dream is finally unfolding. 

LOOKING INTO THE FUTURE

“I have big plans for my future!” Aleena exclaims. In recent times, she has thought a lot about her future path. “I want to visit urban areas of Nepal and help people. I want to work in big hospitals. I want to experience a nursing student life in foreign countries. I want to be there for everyone who needs me.  But going back to Kopila Valley School and giving back my expertise, my support, my care, and my love is my most important future goal. If you’re wondering why, it’s because I am who I am because of a school filled with inspiring teachers, mentors, supporters, and well-wishers. And I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for Kopila Valley School. Although I am far away in college, I have never once felt that I am not part of the Kopila family. There are people constantly worrying about me, thinking of me, reaching out, and supporting all my dreams and goals. I want to go back and help people that I wasn’t able to when I was just a child.”

Aleena is a beautiful soul, with an affectionate personality. Beside helping others, she loves traveling and hanging out with her friends. She is an energetic spirit who always livens up the room. She is capable of doing anything in the world and we anticipate great things that the future holds for her. 

To her juniors, sisters and brothers, she says, “Behind people who are full of dreams, full of hopes, full of aspirations, there is a heart that is sincere and determined. All you have to do is open your eyes and see who and what and where you really are.”

We are thrilled to have one of our very own Kopila Valley School graduates write this guest blogger series and share alumni stories! Anjali Karki graduated in 2019 and is pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism along with a journalism career. We can’t wait to see what each of these world-changers does next. Follow us on social media with the series hashtag (#NarrateYourKopilaStory) for more about these young adults and their adventures.