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DIPAK:Turning action into reality, One step at a time

Meet Dipak, a young man with a boundless imagination and a deep drive to turn his dreams into reality. From a young age, he has always been a visionary, constantly imagining new possibilities and dreaming up ways to make the world a better place. But Dipak is not content to simply dream; he is a doer, always taking action. 

Let’s journey through his story.

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Born the youngest of six children, Dipak grew up amidst the care and affection of his older siblings. In the village of Kalikot, his home had no electricity, no running water, no road access, and no access to a safe school. But what Kalikot lacked in infrastructure, it made up for with beautiful rhododendron forests and rugged green hills that he wandered as a child. In the morning, he woke up with the smell of black tea wafting through the chimney. After breakfast, his parents set out to sow grains in the field while his older sisters went out to get grass or firewood and water before going to school. He played with friends during the daytime.

Dipak’s older brother was away studying Hotel Management – he was the family’s hope, and his parents often praised him. This brother was a topic that the villagers always talked about. Dipak looked up to his older brother and one day wanted to follow in his steps. 

When Dipak was four, his father got sick. There was no proper health facility to care for him and no transportation to take him to a good hospital. It would have been months and months of walking. Sadly, Dipak’s father passed away due to the severity of the disease.

Dipak’s family started struggling, not just emotionally but financially. His older brother had to leave his education and find work to prioritize feeding his family. His older sisters left school as well and started working full-time on the fields. Dipak helped the family in any way he could. He spent his day taking animals grazing and the evening collecting food and fruits nearby the creek. 

“My father had always gone fishing in the morning so we could have fish soup for lunch, and I missed it,” he recalls. “My mother couldn’t bear the loss of her husband, but despite it all, she had to brace herself and work. Everyone stepped in to help my mother. But what could our help amount to as we were all just children?” 

While they could collect vegetables and grow crops, they still needed money to buy oil, salt, and grains in the seasons when they couldn’t grow enough or save up. His older brother became the breadwinner of the family and decided to go to India to work. 

Dipak’s destiny took a different course when he reached the age of five. He was granted a choice to stay with his family or to take a path of education. He chose education, and he was brought to the Kopila Valley Children’s Home. The air was crisp and the sky was clear that day, as if the universe itself was welcoming him with open arms. 

Despite the challenges of living in a remote village, Dipak never lost this sense of wonder and optimism. He believed that there was something special waiting for him out there in the world, something beyond the narrow confines of his village. 

“Growing up in a family that showed me the importance of love, respect, and hard work has had a profound impact on who I am today. From a young age, I was instilled with a strong sense of family values and the importance of treating others with kindness and empathy,” he shares with us. “Every day I thank God that I have sisters and brothers that I can count on to watch my back, and Maggie Mom and Tope Uncle whom I can call and rely on. Whether I need a shoulder to cry on, someone to celebrate with, or just a listening ear, they are always there for me. They are a constant source of love and encouragement, and they help me navigate the ups and downs of life with grace and resilience.”

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In 2020, the pursuit of higher education took Dipak to UWC (United World College), Netherlands. Leaving Nepal that day, the idea of something as foreign and revolutionary as living in the Netherlands made him restless with excitement and fright –-he was truly going far away from home. 

Dipak  was astonished by the newness of the college world.  “At UWC, I learned to spread my wings, to soar to heights I never knew existed. I found a home in a global community where differences were celebrated.” He tells us that UWC was a transformation of the heart and mind, a journey of growth and discovery that left a lasting impact on him which truly was one of a kind. He is building connections in every part of the universe. “It’s surreal to tell myself that I have friends from 100 nations!” he exclaims, full of wonder in his eyes.

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At present, Dipak has signed up to continue his education with a major in Computer Science and Business and a minor in Data Analytics at Furman University of South Carolina, U.S. “Know your roots,” he reminds us. “Every day I am reminded of my roots, and where I come from and that inserts encouragement in me to always aspire for bigger things in life.” During his free time, you will find him playing sports, working out, and playing guitar. “When I play guitar, I am always reminded of my Kopila Valley home and my sisters and brothers. I miss them every day.” 

As we reach the end of Dipak’s journey for now, we can’t help but feel a sense of pride and contentment. He faced countless obstacles, overcame numerous challenges, and has grown in ways he never thought possible. Through it all, he has formed deep connections with people along the way, and he has learned to appreciate the beauty and richness of life in all its forms. He is always eager to see where his journey will take him next. 

 

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