Narendra never could have imagined that a late March bus ride down a rocky, never-ending, rickety, backcountry road would lead to a drastic shift in his life. On that day, a spirit of adventure floated on the breeze and danced through the pine trees.

The bus rattled and groaned as it wound down the twisting roads from Oda to Surkhet. Narendra, barely five, sat by the window, staring out at the rolling hills, their peaks shrouded in mist. It had been three years since his father passed, and in those years, Oda had become a place heavy with memories—of laughter that no longer echoed and a presence that felt both near and far. Narendra’s mother was overwhelmed by all the mountains of responsibilities to keep the family together and fed. Working alone in the field, preparing food, taking animals grazing, earning money, taking care of Narendra and his younger brother was beyond what she could handle. 

On the bus, Narendra’s mother sat beside him, holding his younger brother, who had dozed off against her arms. She had made this journey happen, their mother—strong, unwavering, and determined – if you observed her well, you could see that she was heartbroken, but she never let herself drown in grief. 

“You two will study,” she had said one evening, her voice firm. “You will have a life because I’m not letting you stay in this village where there is no one to rely on.”

And so, here they were, heading toward Kopila Valley School, a place that felt more like a dream than a destination. Narendra had only heard about it from the village elders—how it was different from other schools, how it gave children like him a chance to learn, to grow, to become something more.

When they arrived in Surkhet, the air was warmer, the streets busier. It smelled different here—of dust, of spices, of something that buzzed with opportunity. Narendra held onto his mother’s hand tightly, not because he was afraid, but because everything was so new, so loud, so… alive.

Their mother had managed a rented room for them to stay in. Three of them settled in a tiny room, sharing a tiny bed. 

The first day at Kopila Valley School was like stepping into another world. There were books, real books, and teachers smiling instead of scolding. There were classrooms that didn’t feel like cages but like doors opening to the unknown. There were people with eyes filled with love, care, and gentleness. Young boys and girls like Narendra were on the field, kicking the ball with their feet. 

It was during the break that he met Roshan, a boy who had also come from a village far away.

“You look confused,” Roshan said, grinning as he looked at him watching the soccer field carefully. 

“I’m just… trying to take it all in,” Narendra admitted.

Roshan laughed. “That never stops. But you’ll love it here. You get to learn about the world, about yourself. And guess what? I’m gonna be your friend!”

Narendra nodded and smiled. Maybe, just maybe, this was the fresh start he had needed. Maybe here, in Surkhet, at Kopila Valley, he could turn the pages of his own story, one chapter at a time.

In the year 2023, Narendra officially graduated from Kopila Valley School with a three-year Diploma course in Plant Science. Spending his three years studying about plants, he knew what his next mission in life was going to be: FARMING!!!!

While his friends were off to Business and Architecture colleges, Narendra headed to the Graduate School Of Agriculture and Forestry for his bachelor’s degree. “You know, people often asked me why I chose Agriculture for my higher studies instead of taking Business or Engineering or Architecture. But I was always reminded of what my father used to say, ‘A man’s journey is written by his choices.’ I had a bigger belief in what my instincts were telling me and that my choices held much greater value.” 

Narendra was heavily influenced by Kopila Valley School’s approach to sustainable and organic agriculture. Healthy and nutritional lunch and snacks provided by the school, the small piece of land allocated to each class for farming, and promoting sustainable living – these inspired Narendra to pursue farming.

“I always look forward to new beginnings because they bring fresh opportunities and change. New beginnings are never easy, but they are always the first step to something greater. Just as Kopila Valley School became a new chapter in my life after my father’s passing, I see this new phase as another turning point. With so much passion and so many dreams to fulfill, I have high hopes for what lies ahead.”

From one day establishing his own agriculture consulting business to continuing and influencing traditional, sustainable and organic farming, Narendra has his future goals all figured out and sorted. “Farming is in my blood, etched deep in my core,” he states. “Everyone in my village is a farmer. They grow their own food, relying on good seasons and weather. I love that simplicity, that grit and perseverance.

“This new chapter of my life is unfolding because of the incredible support from Kopila Valley School’s Higher Education Fund (HEF). Their belief in me is turning my dreams into reality, giving me the chance to build the future I once only hoped for. As much as it makes me nervous to find out what’s next for me, I’m equally thrilled.”

This is just the beginning of Narendra’s journey. The full story is still unfolding, and for the rest, you’ll have to wait patiently. He is a young man with boundless drive and dreams that have no limits. 

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.