BEFORE KOPILA VALLEY

Ganga was only seven years old when she lost her mother due to a lack of access to good healthcare. Born in the remote village of Oda, Nepal, her world was shattered by this early tragedy. The loss of her mother was more than just the absence of a loved one—it left an unspoken void that echoed through her life.

When something so precious is taken from you at such a tender age, it has a way of quieting your soul. For Ganga, that silence lingered, becoming a part of her. She struggled to express the emotions that swirled inside her. Words seemed to elude her, and her voice felt locked away. Her mother’s passing was the silent force behind her reserved nature, a heavy weight that shaped her interactions with the world because the villagers would look at her with pitiful eyes. And when Ganga did talk to people, they would always be talking about her mother’s untimely death. 

She might have been quiet, but big dreams were always swirling inside her like a magic potion on a hot stove. 

“In my village, many girls don’t go to school and are married before their 16th birthday. I come from a village where girls are not expected to have dreams, but they are expected to look after the house, prepare meals, work on the field, and take animals grazing.  After losing my mother, I knew that I couldn’t let her story be mine or any other girl’s. But the question was: How would I do that?”

 Yes. Ganga was sure that she wanted to change her fate. Persistent even. But with no privilege and no way to know how to do that, and also at such a young age to change the course of her life, she was left with no options. 

But not for long! 

There was an option for her, and it seemed to be a helicopter. 

One fine crispy morning, a helicopter landed on a barren field in Oda. An unusual sight to see for the villagers. While the entire village was swarming the helicopter, Ganga’s father was busy packing what little clothes she owned in a tote-like bag, which her mother had sewn with her very own delicate, yet calloused, hands for Ganga. It was tattered, with mismatched patches of fabric sewn on to cover the holes, each bearing a different pattern. She wore her Kurta and Suruwal, and they too had patches of fabric sewn on to cover the holes. We match! She thought, shouldering the tote bag as her father gently pushed her toward the helicopter. 

She climbed onto the helicopter and took her seat, fastening the aviation headset over her ears. As the aircraft lifted off and soared high above the clouds, vivid memories of the village people whispering among themselves came rushing back;

‘She is going to the city to go to school.’   

‘Poor child, she lost her mother and now she is getting separated from her father.’

‘Her life will change.’

‘She will have someone who will love her.’ 

She was going to another place, to another home, to another family. As excited as she was, she was equally nervous. ‘Will they like me?’ kept replaying in her head.

“I remember being surrounded by so many faces when I arrived at the Children’s Home—just like the way my village people had gathered around the helicopter, their curious eyes filled with wonder and questions. Both moments felt overwhelming, but this moment carried a strange sense of belonging, like I was already accepted, with all my flaws and imperfections. ‘Ganga, come with me, I’ll give you a bath,’ Shova di [“older sister”] uttered with her soft smile. That was when I released my breath, which I hadn’t realized I was holding. She gave me a warm bath, scrubbed me through and through, and washed my hair with a shampoo that smelled heavenly. I noticed the murky water that flowed through the drain, and I realized  it came from me. I felt cleansed that day, and I smelled so so so good,” Ganga says, wearing a wide grin on her face. 

The next couple of days at the Children’s Home were moments of astonishments, adjustments, wonders, questions, and before she could fathom, she was adorned in a school uniform and strapped in a school bag, heading to school. 

AFTER KOPILA VALLEY

“We ask ourselves big questions like, ‘What is the purpose of this?’ I also asked myself the same question when I was applying for colleges and universities,” Ganga reveals. She graduated from Kopila Valley School in the year 2023, not knowing what to pursue as her college degree. 

“I did what many Nepali students were doing, applying abroad. But in the process, there was something tugging at my heart, warning me that my decision might change at any moment. While there were emails flooding my Gmail account from international colleges and universities,  I was already enrolled in Global College Of Tourism in Kathmandu.”

What made her take this step? 

“Inspiration. When I have older brothers and sisters already on their journeys, showing what my possibilities and options are, it’s easy. I was fascinated with Tourism ever since two of my siblings [from the Children’s Home] were  pursuing it. Not wanting to risk losing a year to figuring out universities and colleges, I packed my life in a tiny suitcase and headed to Kathmandu.”

Does she like Tourism? 

“This phase of my life has taught me that sometimes, the purpose doesn’t need to be questioned. You simply take the path, and along the way, the purpose reveals itself. Enrolling in a Tourism course made me realize what my purpose is, and that is to travel the world. This tiny human is daring to see the world, every bit of it.”

Ganga is in her second year of studying for a Tourism degree, finding new things to get excited about every day. In January of 2025, her college took her to Langtang as a part of her course for seven days. 

“Trekking through the hills and mountains in Langtang, it reminded me of my village, Oda, and how much life can change. It reminded me of my mother, her soulful eyes, soft smile, and graceful touch. 

This trip filled me in ways I can’t put into words. I want to do this forever, be able to travel to places and reflect.”

What has Tourism taught her? 

“I was always a very shy person, and Tourism urges me to talk to people, socialize, and build networks. It’s not easy, that’s for sure. But I like who I am in this present time. I am confident, I am building my horizons and expanding my network. I no longer am a 7-year-old Ganga who is quiet, or a 13-year-old who is reserved, I am a 21-year-old young woman exploring my interests on my own quest. I am my biggest competition, and I am always daring myself to do something out of my comfort zone.” 

One life lesson Ganga has learned

“New beginnings can be challenging, but they are the first step toward the future you’re meant to have. Every journey starts with a single step, and though the path may feel uncertain, it’s these fresh starts that lead you to your true destination. New beginnings have purpose.” 

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.