Kamal recalls, “I was around 7 years old when we moved to the city.” Born in Kalikot, a village known for its kind people and lush landscapes as well as its poverty, Kamal’s early life was shaped by limitations. 

In Kalikot, the path was set: tend to animals, work the fields, and, once a young person reached 16 or 17, seek work abroad to send money back home – often with no clear return in sight. However, Kamal’s father, being a teacher in the village school, understood the value of education and was determined to provide Kamal with the opportunity for a better, more developed future outside Kalikot. His father saw no bright future for Kamal in his hometown, especially in a school where students are absent frequently, due to responsibilities and chores. 

ONE DECISION TO CHANGE LIFE

One very early morning, a smoky winter fog had settled atop the hills when Kamal’s father gathered the family and announced that Kamal would be traveling to Surkhet, a day-long bus ride from their village, to continue his studies. Since Kamal was only seven years old at the time, his mother would accompany him on the journey because Kamal’s father needed to earn money so that he could send his son to school. 

However, with the salary that comes from teaching, it was only enough to settle Kamal and his mother in Surkhet but not sufficient to send him to a good school. Blessedly, Kopila Valley School was accepting students who had no opportunities to go to school. Kamal took the entrance exam and eventually got in. 

“I believe you are meant to be where you end up in life. Just like the celestial stars belong in the sky, the water belongs to the sea, the soil belongs to the earth, just like that you belong to a place that invites you in and embraces you with all its infinite love and support. I belonged in the arms and care of Kopila Valley School,” Kamal expresses. “I became one among many different yet resonating stories.” 

Kamal thrived in Kopila Valley. From joining the soccer team to participating in debates, nothing held him back from exploring his passions, interests, and skills. “Since my father couldn’t afford to send me to school, I understand that when an opportunity comes to you, you not only make the most of it, but you build in yourself a virtue of gratitude. And that will spark in you a spur to do better and grow.” He recalls that his favorite memory from his time in Kopila is Pen Pals. Students sent letters to new friends in the United States and eagerly awaited their replies. Through this exchange, they built friendships across the globe, sharing their interests and dreams about the future. Kamal loved the Pen Pal program because he enjoys making new friends wherever he is. 

DREAMS THAT KEEP YOU GOING

We all need a dream to fuel us as the day winds down. We need something that excites us, motivates us to rise early, and drives us forward. It’s this vision that instills the determination to persevere through every stumble and setback. For many it is to go to college, travel the world, be successful, earn, and so forth – but for Kamal, his dream was to unite his parents. To put them under the same roof would be a dream come true. 

“I have always been grateful for the sacrifice my parents made in order for me, and later my brother, to go to school. But living with my mother in Surkhet was also a constant reminder that we were the reason why my parents weren’t living together. So it was with profound determination that I wanted to grow up really quickly, go to college, and earn so that my parents could live together in the same house,” says Kamal. His parents still lived apart even after he graduated because his younger brother was still in school.

Kamal graduated from Kopila Valley School in the year 2020. After graduating, he wasted no time –  in the pursuit of finding a good college, he found himself on a bus going to Pokhara, Nepal. He was overwhelmed by traveling far away from the familiarity of his home and family. His heart sank with a mix of trepidation and longing as the familiar scenes of his home slipped away through the bus window. 

Despite the ache of leaving behind the comfort of his surroundings, Kamal carried with him a dream he was determined to fulfill. The promise of new experiences in Pokhara fueled his resolve, transforming the bittersweet farewell into a powerful reminder of why he embarked on this journey. He was aware that each mile that took him farther from home also brought him closer to the future he had always envisioned. On his journey to a new place, he also carried a fear of rejection. IOE (Institute Of Engineering) Paschimanchal Campus was rumored to be excruciatingly difficult to get into, and Kamal was hoping to get accepted. 

ONE AGAINST MANY

Kamal was aware of the competition. He knew that there would be hundreds of students trying to secure a seat at the same college. But what he didn’t know was that there would be thousands of students all lined up outside the gate of the college, pens and papers in hand, minds racing with questions and answers as they prepared for the exam. 

Kamal completed the entrance exam with jitters, but he was focused on one goal—to secure his place and make his dreams a reality. Amidst the crowd of students wanting the same thing as him, he felt one against many. 

After a few weeks of anxious waiting, the results finally arrived. Kamal was elated when he saw his name on the acceptance list. With deep relief, he called his parents and gave them the good news. The glorious moment of tossing his hat at graduation, a dream he harbored since he was a young boy, was going to be epic! He could literally envision it in his head; his parents taking photos of victory with him, smiles glued to their faces with pride. 

And this dream is so close to coming true!!! Kamal is in his 3rd year of his Civil Engineering studies. “The best part about Civil Engineering is the field work/study I get to do. I love being outdoors and wracking my brain about different structures, placements, and creation. The outdoor activities help translate my classroom learning into real life. For me, it is less about instructing and more about adventure in what I think is its purest form.” 

WILL HIS DREAM COME TRUE?

“I can’t say for certain if my dream will come true, but I remain undaunted. Each day, I grow, learn, and evolve, steadily working towards that dream. Deep down, I have faith that it will become a reality.” With just one more year left until graduation, Kamal has high hopes about his dream to move his parents back together. 

“If I could give one piece of advice to my junior sisters and brothers in Kopila Valley School, it is to be patient and believe in whatever the goal is. Well…because if one door closes, another will open. Don’t knock on the door that’s already closed.” 

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.