Today we hear from Graduate Kalpana, in her own words, about her journey…

As soon as the helicopter landed gracefully to the ground, a collective hush fell over the crowd.  Everyone’s attention shifted towards us like a sunflower tilting toward the sun. Whispers rippled through the air like a soft breeze, translating the curiosity and speculation about my father and my four brothers. 

I was born in a small village called Oda, embraced in the hills of Nepal. Here, we spent our days tending to animals, cultivating and growing our meals. Death came to our village frequently. If people fell sick, there were no immediate healthcare services; we had to walk for days to the nearest town. Many deaths have happened due to accidents and the lack of available medical care. When my mother passed away from illness too, I was a small child, but my little brother was still breastfeeding. 

We struggled, barely able to get a meal each day. My father was holding himself and us together, all the while grieving the loss of my mother. We came face to face with hardship intimately, grappling with the relentless struggle for sustenance, often uncertain if our next meal would be served. 

The phenomenon of nature is surprising. It keeps on surprising you. 

I was around six years old, unaware of what was happening around me, but I do remember being amazed to see a helicopter for the first time in my life. That day my life changed, but I did not see it coming. That’s how life kept on surprising me. 

But life never stops surprising you, right? 

I was sitting on the patio of our grass-roofed house when a  foreign young lady approached me, introduced herself as Maggie, and asked me a question in a language I was not familiar with. Someone translated that into Nepali. 

“Do you want to go to school?” 

Why would I not say yes?

I said “YES” without knowing that I would very soon be calling her my mother!

When the opportunity to move to the Children’s Home came knocking at my small-framed door, my father believed it was a good choice because he could not care for us and we would be properly fed. Most importantly, he was assured that we would be safe, our fate would change, and we would go to school.  Leaving my father and my two older brothers was not easy, and I am sure they had even more difficult circumstances, but they were happy that we would get to live a life they could only wish for.  

Sometimes I think of what my life in the village would look like if I never left. Every day is a struggle for girls in my village. I am sure that by now, I would have been married and would be holding a  baby in my hand instead of a pen, raising them instead of getting an education. In most of the villages, they practice Chaupadi, where girls have to sleep in a hut during their period and many die from snake bites and are subject to rape and abuse. Being born as a baby girl is considered a disappointment in remote villages of Nepal. And I know that if my fate wasn’t written differently, I would be one of those village girls—a victim to rituals and traditions that dictate their freedom. 

But life doesn’t conclude after a setback, right?

 So a six-year-old me got a chance to be reborn again. Kopila Valley Children’s Home has given me the opportunity to grow within myself and share my feelings with the world. I am surrounded by sisters and brothers. Hanging out and connecting with them is a gift beyond imagination. Even though I am not a good cook, I helped the aunties in the kitchen whenever I could. I am not a morning person, so in the evening I went for walks. Life has shown me many phases, and I have grown to adapt according to its nature. I could never imagine leading the life I’m now living, but the biggest achievement is getting into college.

But the journey of life never stops, right? 

 I graduated in the year 2023 from Kopila Valley School. I’ve always known that I wanted to pursue further studies abroad, but didn’t know where. When I think of the time in my village, I have come a long way. If I were still in my village, I would not have dared to dream of leaving the country. Since the helicopter trip, I have believed in miracles. And miracles do happen!!! 

In the Spring of 2024, I got off a plane in New York City to pursue my Bachelor’s Degree in Business at Wagner College. Coming from a country thousands of miles away, I knew this was a leap into the unknown, but I was ready to embrace it.  I am in my second semester, and I remember feeling a bit like a fish out of water in the beginning – navigating classes, making friends, and adapting to a culture that was both familiar and foreign. But now I sense growth in me — growth in my decision-making skills, growth in my social skills, growth in a clear vision and goals that I have set for myself.  

Now, as I pursue my degree at Wagner College, I reflect on this journey with gratitude. The country that once felt so foreign has become a second home. The friendships I’ve forged and the lessons I’ve learned have equipped me not just for my academic endeavors, but for life itself. I feel empowered to chase my dreams and to contribute positively to the world around me. This journey is far from over. Each day presents new opportunities for growth and learning. I’m excited to see where this path will lead me.

But you never forget your roots, right? 

I’ve always wanted to explore and experience the world that exists outside of Nepal. I knew  the initial change would be hard, like the day when I had to leave my family at a young  age, but my passion to grow and learn was tremendous. 

Looking back to the day when the helicopter arrived in my village, that’s when I took my first step towards fulfilling my dream of going to school. That day, that one moment, changed my life forever.  

With the completion of my undergraduate degree, I hope to bring what I learn back to my village. My dream is to one day ensure that every girl in my village has an opportunity to follow their dreams, inspire them, and help them build courage for trying new things in life – because that is what I needed when I left my village and when I left my Kopila family. 

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.