Meet Roshni, who reflects her very own name, “a ray of sunshine.” With unwavering dedication and a deep understanding of the issues at hand, she fearlessly tackles obstacles head-on, inspiring others to join her in the pursuit of a brighter and more inclusive tomorrow. She is passionate, determined and wholeheartedly committed. We can’t wait to see what more she unravels in her journey. 

Here are her words:

“Before I was introduced to Kopila Valley School, I attended a local school, Usha Bal Vatika in Surkhet. At the age of 6, I came to Kopila. And as you can imagine, my life was never the same.
“I grew up listening to stories about my village Dilikot, in Kalikot. I was a child, not old enough to remember when my family migrated to the city. I was fortunate enough not to experience what my mother did back in the village, along with my aunties and other young girls. They had a difficult life to lead. My mother was married very young,  and it was not just my mother – it was my aunties, my childhood friends who also married young. My mother would talk about her first experiences as a wife, as a daughter, as a young girl gathering wood and water, cooking food, and tending animals. It would bring tears to my eyes. My family escaped that kind of life, but not many have the courage and means to do so. When I got accepted into Kopila Valley School, I could LITERALLY feel my soul uplift. 

“Kopila Valley School is a place where dreams come alive and where I had the most transformative experiences of my life as a girl. From the moment I first entered the gate, I first sat in a classroom, first opened my book, I knew I was embarking on a remarkable journey. One of the most striking aspects of Kopila Valley School was its commitment to providing quality education to all, regardless of socio-economic backgrounds. In fact, what struck me amazed was the fact that there were children of rough and detached backgrounds that I could in some ways relate to and learn so much from. This meant that children who might have otherwise been denied access to education were given the opportunity to learn and grow. Fostering a love for learning and growing within me, I became the ‘Roshni’ which translates to a ray of sunshine. 

“I was doing all sorts of things in Kopila Valley School. I was on a girls’ soccer team where I was instilled with a sense of determination to strive for the win, I was performing a dance which brought a smile on my face, I was debating on topics that matter where I was becoming wiser, and I was presenting my skills, and even more so, developing.  

“When I finished my 10th grade, I wanted to stay in Kopila Valley so much that it hurt. But the plan to open higher secondary classes was still progressing and taking time. For my +2, Kopila Valley School sent us to affiliate Surkhet Horizon School. It was quite difficult to adapt to an entirely different system from Kopila Valley School. Nevertheless, I always looked forward to my evening soccer practices on the Kopila Valley School grounds. It made me feel like I’d never left. We also attended career counseling classes at the Futures Center at the school and never let go of a chance to perform at any occasions, whether it was a Talent Tuesday, Tihar function, or an Annual function. 

“I graduated from Kopila Valley in the year 2018. Leaving Kopila Valley School was a mix of feelings. While I was sad to say goodbye to the place that had become my second home, I knew that I was leaving equipped with the knowledge, skills, and values to navigate the world with confidence. I carry the memories and lessons from my time at Kopila Valley School with me, forever grateful for the transformative experiences that shaped the young lady I am today.  

“Since Kopila Valley, I went to prepare for MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery). After giving an entrance exam, I did not get in. It crushed me, but it did not stop me. 

“One of my friends from Kopila Valley School invited me to come to Kathmandu and look for options. I found a prominent Engineering College, Aryan School Of Engineering And Management. I decided to pursue Civil Engineering as it was always on my mind. More than my theoretical classes, I love practical classes. I get to do surveys, road designs, bridge designs, and house designs. 

“After my classes, for a few months I worked at Kokrama, a clothing shop for children. I am in my last semester right now, and it has become quite difficult to focus on my studies and work at the same time, so I decided to resign my job and focus on school. 

“Honestly, at times I miss Kopila Valley. I miss playing soccer, I miss getting inspired at inspirational talks, I miss eating lunch with the entire school, and mostly I miss the child in me who has grown up now. But this all-grown-up young lady has been busy working for her dreams and her goals. 

“What’s next for me after this? I REALLY want to go back to my village where my roots are even stronger and use my civil engineering qualifications there. During Dashain, my mother  is often in a dilemma. She really wants to go visit her relatives and see her village, breathing in the fresh air, but the lack of transportation and a lack of safe roads stops her most of the time. I want to pave a secure pathway and a road for mothers and families to visit their childhood homes. I want to design houses for them that are unbeatable to hurricanes, landslides, and are warm during the winter. 

“To my juniors in Kopila Valley School, I want to say you are in the best place on this planet earth. Learn as much as you can. There is one Nepali word that I love, ‘Laagi pa ra.’ Keep at it, keep going and never stop. Let’s carry the torch of knowledge, embrace the power of growth, and together, let’s continue to make a lasting change in the world.”

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.