It is the story of a long past. I was a small girl left behind by a sick mother and a runaway dad. I have a distinct memory of moving between the houses of relatives as a child.

I was born in Dailekh, a village in Nepal where children often get orphaned. I was pushed, hurled, and left on my own. My mother passed away when I was four or five, and my dad – I had no idea where he was. I didn’t know back then what belonging was, what having a family meant. All I knew was that I was somewhere familiar in one moment and in another, somewhere completely strange. Relatives had sympathy for me and took me in, and after a while I would become their burden. I slept on rocks, on soft beds, on prickly grass. I slept shivering and clueless. 

One hopeless evening, a distant relative came to my rescue. She told me she wanted to take me with her to the city. What choice did I have? I mean, anything at the moment was better for me. The relative was a woman, an old woman, with kind eyes. She put me on a bus and sat beside me. It probably was a 10 hour ride, but it felt like 10 seconds. I was not tired, I was curious, popping inside with delight.  I was exhilarated by wondering what was next for me. But I barely showed what I felt inside. I had come to realize that being happy was not part of my life. 

We got off the bus and walked a few minutes to reach her house. It was a small house, barely a room. She bathed me, fed me, and allowed me a bed to sleep. I didn’t realize how tired I was. My eyes closed instantly. 

The next day, the relative took me to a house full of happy children, some playing in the garden with school uniforms on and some eating breakfast. When they all left for school, a lovely foreign lady came to me and called herself Maggie. She told me, ‘This is going to be your home from now on!’

I won’t lie. I attempted to run away a few times from there. The love and attention I received overwhelmed me. But slowly over time, I felt at home, safe and secure. I had 20 or more sisters and brothers who I could relate to, and who made me feel like I belonged. I spent my nights with them telling stories and days learning new things from them. My first word I learned to say was ‘Please,’ and then came ‘January, February,’ and then days of the week. 

There is no such thing as a hopeless situation. If you learn to accept every circumstance of your life, then you’ve found hope. I believe God had a larger purpose in painting suffering for me. In Kopila Valley Children’s Home,  I finally heard the sound of my laughter. I was set free, shook the dust right off me, and found no place I’d rather be. 

I transitioned out of the Children’s Home in 2019 with one of my other sisters. It was a big step for me. In some ways, it thrilled me. I was finally learning the ways of life, living in the community. I was at the entryway of my newest chapter. I found myself managing my own finances and being responsible, which I will have to master by the time I am a Registered Nurse. 

I am a nursing student in Seda Nursing College in Surkhet. I hope to heal people, help them feel safe. My sisters and brothers all tell me I’m a service type of person. In fact, I am. I love taking care of people and being there when they need me. Maybe that sense is rooted from my early childhood. But the main reason is my mom, who couldn’t get treated. I want to help children like me not get orphaned due to their parents’ untimely death.  

There’s this beating urge to make my Maggie mom proud. She took me under her wings, called me her own, gave me a family, and I want her to one day see me battling my demons and spreading my wings. She raised me to become a dreamer and a conqueror. She is the one woman I will love forever. 

I am entering a whole new world of possibilities and a fifth sense – a new way to think about everything.  

What’s next for me? I don’t know. Do I want to find out? Hell yeah! But that can wait, since I am content with how my adulthood is turning out. 

 Ultimately, what you are reflects into the world. So, be the best version of yourself. I am being my best version every day. Remember, being the best version of yourself is not a destination, it’s a continuous journey of self-improvement and growth.

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.