Meet one of our first graduates, Deepa. She worked hard and persevered, constantly pushing herself to do better and never giving up on her dreams. As she entered adulthood, her paths began to take shape. She pursued higher education and landed her dream job, where she was able to put her creativity and passion for writing to use. Her story is one of struggle and of inspiration. Let’s delve in and discover the challenges and triumph that shaped the person she is today. 

In a corner of the Surkhet Valley, there is a small community that has formed around a shared passion for educating their children. The community was made up of people from all walks of life – young and old, rich and poor, from all different cultural backgrounds. A  girl named Deepa was born into a family who loved her endlessly but couldn’t fulfill her needs as they struggled financially. A girl as bright as her was often challenged in a community that considered the caste system as a way to show who’s above and below. No matter how developed the community seemed, Deepa, who was a member of the low-caste system, faced many hurdles in her childhood.

At school, Deepa faced discrimination and prejudice from her classmates and even from some of her teachers. They looked down on her because of her caste and often made hurtful comments and jokes at her expense. 

As a young girl, she always dreamed of achieving great things in life. But growing up in a poor, marginalized community, she knew the odds were stacked against her. It seemed like her dreams would remain just that – dreams. 

But then something amazing happened. Just when she was tired of the life of a low-caste girl, Kopila Valley School opened near her house. A school that promised new education, equality, empowerment, and change. Deepa was transported into a new world when she thought of studying there. Miraculously, she was accepted. Maybe because she lived in a nearby community, or because of the state of her family, but nevertheless, she was grateful for the fateful decision changed her life for good. “As I settled into my new classes, I quickly realized that this was a school like no other. But it wasn’t just the academic side of things that made the Kopila Valley School so special. The school had a strong focus on character education, teaching us important values such as compassion, empathy, and perseverance. We were encouraged to think critically, to ask questions, and to be curious about the world around us.” 

“No one had ever asked me questions. I was always told what to do and what not to do as a low-caste girl. Kopila Valley accepted me for who I was and turned me into who I am today.” Deepa beams with twinkling eyes. She joined Kopila Valley in sixth grade, and she loved her time there. 

Even while school was going well for her, in 2012 Deepa was diagnosed with Lupus. A girl as fiery as her, with passion and determination on a normal day, started to feel weak on a regular basis. Upon hearing the news, Maggie took charge of her health and made it her mission to find the best hospitals for Deepa’s check-ups.   

“I can’t thank Maggie enough for all that she did to keep me healthy and safe. My family wouldn’t have been able to afford my hospital expenses. I was taken to really good hospitals in Kathmandu, and I felt hope.” 

Deepa spent her school years going back and forth from Surkhet to Kathmandu Valley while keeping up her grades. “I had to deal with butterfly rashes, sun sensation, swelling, and extreme hair loss – and I still have to deal with it by being on medication for a lifetime.”

Living with lupus was challenging, but she didn’t let it define her. Despite the ups and downs of her chronic illness, she remained determined to live her life to the fullest. She continued to pursue her education, refusing to let lupus get in the way. 

Deepa graduated in 2017. Soon after, she joined Patan Multiple Campus in Kathmandu to pursue Arts. “I knew that I wanted to do Arts from a very young age,” she mentions. “I have always been a creative person.” Indeed she was creative during her childhood days. She was always participating in slam poetry, debate competitions, and often you would see her scribbling in her diary. She always had stories to tell through her words. 

While she was in Kathmandu, Deepa started to work for Word Warriors, a group of young people sharing their love for words and stories. When she was in her third year, COVID-19 hit, and she had to go back to Surkhet. She worked with Word Warriors from home, but there was often an internet problem when electricity would go out for three to four hours. Unfortunately, she had to leave that job. 

“When the COVID-19 restrictions relaxed, I went back to Kathmandu to continue my studies. My doctor advised me that maybe staying home would be better for my health. Above everything, my health is the priority.” 

Currently Deepa is in Surkhet, preparing to finish her Arts degree from home. Her health is getting better, and she has become a business woman. “I was home recovering, and a lot of ideas were playing around my mind. Sometimes, I thought of going back to Kathmandu even though the doctor specifically told me not to, or find a job here in my hometown. I even thought of taking short courses. I have two siblings, one older and a younger brother. My older brother is a software engineer, and my younger brother is a business student. A thought occurred to me – why not start a family business?”

With the support of her two brothers, Deepa has opened an IT company called CG Group. “I come from a background of creativity, and I handle all the content for websites and social media. Our organization might be the second  IT company in Surkhet, and our customers’ feedback is what’s keeping us going.” It’s been almost two years since the business started, and they proudly handle almost all of the company’s projects in Surkhet. 

Apart from this, a remarkable thing to mention is that Deepa runs an NGO (TheLEADNepal) for the Dalit community. Young children of marginalized communities are given free training (like mobile repairing, data entering classes, and many more skills) so that they can make a living for themselves in this society.  

Deepa is flourishing, proud of all that she has accomplished and excited for all that is yet to come. She remains driven and passionate, always striving to learn and grow and make a difference in the lives of others. In the end, her journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of staying true to oneself. She shows us that, even in the face of adversity, it is possible to create positive change and make a lasting impact on the world. 

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.