I am a product of traditional Nepali parents who have never written a word or even read their names out loud. They rely on their ancient wisdom. When my mother opens the kitchen door, I open my books. When she holds a broom, I hold a pen. When she organizes her chores, I organize my thoughts. Where I am from, most people of my generation are the first to go to school – that is, if they’re lucky. This is why I count myself among one of the luckiest people on the planet earth. 

I was just a baby when my parents migrated to the plains of Surkhet from Oda, Kalikot. Their destiny led them to the door of Kopila Valley Children’s Home. It’s very unlikely for two parents to be employed and earning in Nepal, especially in rural areas. At the beginning, my family couldn’t afford to rent a room, so Maggie mom and Tope uncle provided us with housing and boarding. We were given a room at the school. I loved seeing my mom manage her belongings, decorating the room and sweeping it every day. She was so happy!  Due to my parents’ employment, my younger brother and I got a second family. My brother was just a baby at the time, so he stayed with my parents, and I stayed at the Kopila Valley Children’s Home. I found sisters to share my feelings with and brothers to protect me. 

I grew up seeing my parents save up every penny they could earn. They were multi-taskers. My dad painted rooms and walls at the school and children’s home, he tended to gardens, he lifted rice bags and rocks and bricks. My mother cooked, she cleaned, she washed, she mopped and swept, she bathed children, she braided hair; there was nothing she couldn’t do except write her own name. As a child, I loved seeing her sitting out on the patio of the children’s home with a broom beside her and flipping through the pages of a book, just looking at words – ENGLISH words. My mother is very curious, so she would grab anyone walking by her and make them read it out loud to her. 

Then my mom’s happiest days came, when Anjali didi (former English teacher and career counselor) decided to give basic English lessons to all the staff. My mom couldn’t contain her happiness. She could name ‘broom’, ‘kitchen’, ‘how are you?’, ‘My name is Amrika’, ‘family’, ‘love.’  And this always made me think, if only my mom had received the opportunity to go to school, she would be a miracle. But honestly, whether she can read or not, she already is a miracle. 

My parents bought a small piece of land with their savings almost four years ago.  They built the house by themselves. When I say by themselves, I mean they carried all the rocks and sand, and after their shifts in the evening, they built the house brick by brick and rock by rock. If you’re imagining a two or three-story house, I’ll do you a favor: don’t. The roofing has been done with shiny tin. It has only two rooms, one bathroom and one kitchen built separately, but it’s a home. 

I really didn’t want to leave the children’s home as it had already become my second home. But when finally, with lots of tears, I came to our very first home, I realized I was going to be spending a lot of time with my parents, and I maybe just needed that. I know I will always have my Kopila family with me, no matter where I go. 

I graduated from Kopila Valley in the year 2022. I had always known that I wanted to pursue a Diploma in Hotel Management. I have learned along the way that it’s time that people recognize the proficiency and professionalism in any field of work, especially work that is not using a written certificate or degree. 

As I dive into the future, I have a goal that makes me grow and work hard for it. By pursuing Hotel Management, I want to show my parents that the work they do is invaluable, that it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. My line of education takes me places, and I want to see the world mainly on behalf of my parents, who never had the opportunity and often only know a world inside their bubble. I have just begun, and there is a lot more to do, but for now that’s the hope, that’s the dream.    

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.