Where others see challenges, 25-year old Kamala sees opportunities. Meet one of our accomplished alumni who has found her calling.

Hi, Kamala! What have you been doing after graduating?

After graduating from Kopila Valley School in 2017, I found myself at a crossroad. On one hand, I was excited to finally be done with school and start my career. On the other hand, I had this nagging feeling that I still had so much more to learn. I have always been a curious person, eager to explore new ideas and expand my knowledge. So after much thought and consideration, I decided to pursue further studies. 

At first, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to study. I did Management in +2, but I felt that I wanted to branch out and explore other areas of interest. I considered a few different options, such as BBA (Bachelors In Business Administration), literature, psychology, and even computer science. In the end, I decided to pursue a Bachelor’s in BBS (Bachelor’s In Business Studies). 

It was a big decision, but I felt excited about the prospect of learning more about the business and economic world. I enrolled in a program at a local University,  Mid-West University, and dove headfirst into my studies. At first, it was a bit overwhelming. I came from an entirely different school background where I had my freedom to opinions, and classes were more fun and interactive. However, I soon found my groove and began to enjoy the process of learning again. 

While I was taking my courses in the morning, I was looking for a job or an internship that I could do in my spare time and build my career. I interned at Kopila Valley as an Administrative Assistant. Six years later, I am an employee there, working full-time, with a  bachelor’s degree and pursuing a Master’s of Social Work.  

What made you want to pursue a Master’s degree in  Social Work?

Honestly, It was sort of a pat-on-the shoulder kind of gesture. I was finally earning enough to fund my further studies, and I thought why not? Paying for your own tuition fee is uncommon in Nepal, and when I was able to do that, it made me feel like an achiever. 

As I got older, I began to realize that not everyone has the same opportunities and resources that I did. I was fortunate to have support from BlinkNow. I knew I wanted to help others and make a difference in the world. Social work has resonated with me on such a deep level. It is a field that focuses on helping vulnerable people, advocating for social justice, and empowering individuals and communities. 

I’ve always known I want to be a changemaker. I see social work as a way to be an agent of change. 

Do you think your educational path leads you to your professional pursuits? 

My education is rather explorative, but I spent time paying attention to what made me happy. Since I work as an Administrative Assistant at Kopila Valley and get to see people in helping professions, I have a better sense of what I am getting into for my professional career. I have to admit, my line of work actually added to my decision to pursue social work. And I really think I’ve chosen a wise path. 

Tell me about your experience studying at Kopila Valley School.

I only have a couple of words for that experience; memorable, inspiring, life-changing, transformative, enriching, empowering, illuminating, and phenomenal. 

Knowing what you know about your life and your future, what would you say to your 15-year-old self?

I would tell her, “It’s okay to be yourself, even if that means being different from your peers. Don’t be afraid to stand out.”

What inspires you in life?

Legitimately, I don’t know. A lot of things inspire me in life, but they don’t always have lasting power. Currently, it has to be my achievements in education AND career. 

What’s  next for you?

I don’t have any big plans. I just want to continue working with BlinkNow and contributing my services, as long as it takes to follow this road that I am standing on.

What are your favorite ways to relax and decompress?

I love reading, dancing, music, family time, hanging out with friends, and an evening walk.  

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.