Striking a balance between wellbeing and growth, Manju is achieving her goals in Dang, studying to grow her expertise in Hotel Management. Let’s plunge into her story.  

FROM DAUGHTER TO A GRANDDAUGHTER

In the dawn of her childhood days, Manju was just a baby when her mother passed away from breast cancer and her father remarried, resulting in a significant shift in her life. Her grandmother became her primary caregiver, looking after her with endless vigor. When the world turned its back on her, her grandmother was always there to see. “My grandmother’s eyes were my compass that showed me the path of righteousness. She cooked my meals with love and care.”  Manju’s grandmother was there to fill the void of missing a mother figure, but she always felt a father figure missing in her life. Her grandmother was an uneducated woman, but despite this, she always had much to teach Manju and she became both of her parents. She was always thinking of ways to help her, feed her, and console her. 

“My grandmother was in a financial crisis. Oftentimes, we wouldn’t have food on our plates,” Manju recalls. “Back then I didn’t know, but I was too much of a hassle for her, demanding things  she couldn’t afford.”

FROM GRANDDAUGHTER TO A STUDENT

Her grandmother wanted Manju to gain education, so she enrolled her in Kopila Valley School. Manju started from 2nd grade. “I would go back home and tell her stories of what I learned, what I ate, what I did with my friends. She would have a smile plastered on her face that made me roll on the floor with pride. I never missed my school days.” 

Manju thrived in Kopila Valley School. She found her ground, and she held onto it. She was on the girls soccer team, defeating every competitor. She was a strong debate participant, and was part of every athletic game. She left no leaves unturned. “I found myself here,” she says. “I am who I am today because Kopila Valley helped me discover it.” 

Manju was exposed to different cultures at Kopila Valley. She mentions that her favorite thing was when she could meet people from different parts of the world and know about their lives. “I’ve always had to rely on myself, but at Kopila, I learned to ask for help and let others support me. I’m a pioneer of a lot of different things at the same time, and I was glad I had  friends to help me make things happen.” 

She had to mature much faster than peers from other backgrounds. Not only was she growing up and going to school learning English, but she was also becoming her grandmother’s hope. Manju graduated from Kopila Valley in 2020. 

FROM STUDENT TO A DREAMER

“Don’t tell people your dreams, just show them,” Manju says. She currently lives in Dang and is studying Hotel Management in Shahid Krishnasen Ichchhuk Polytechnic Institute. There she is learning to work with a diverse team, meeting new people everyday. She enjoys working with people and solving complex problems. On her free days, you can find her painting, hanging out with her friends, and talking to her grandmother.

Her grandmother is now 72 years old and even wiser. Manju’s one dream is to show her grandmother what an incredible journey she helped her pave.  “I always wondered, ‘what is it about education and learning that would place someone in a role of power?’ Now, I know it’s knowledge and skills.” Manju says her world is not a modern fairytale; it is a life of an individual and a history of society. 

One piece of advice Manju wishes to give to ambitious young people is this: “Stay true to yourself. Then only a bud of hope will bloom into your heart.”

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.