HUMBLE BEGINNING

As the sun slowly rose over the rolling hills, the village began to stir. The sound of roosters crowing echoed through the narrow, winding streets, and the smell of woodsmoke filled the air. Children ran out of their homes, laughing and playing, while adults emerged to start their daily routines. It was a typical morning in the quaint and charming town. But beneath the surface of this peaceful community, there was a sense of dread brewing. 

When we were living in huts and making profit out of crops and vegetables, my father passed away. I was just a baby. My mother ran away with another man. Our family was torn apart. My two older sisters went to live with some of our uncles and aunts. Goma, who is older than me, was left along with me to stay with my grandmother. My older sisters married soon after, as they had no other way to survive.

My grandmother was a hard-working woman. She looked after us by selling fruits and peanuts at the market. I remember I didn’t have that much difficulty since I was a boy, and that alone gave me privilege enough. My sister would go fetch water, cook food, and do many countless chores. I didn’t have to lift a finger, but that doesn’t make me proud. If I could get a rewind, get another chance, take it back in time, I would have lived differently. But I was just barely a baby and had much to learn.  

THE JOURNEY AT KOPILA VALLEY CHILDREN’S HOME

I was sent to live in Kopila Valley Children’s Home, with my sister Goma, when I was 6 or 7. Before I could blink, my life changed drastically for the better. I had always been curious about the world beyond my small town. I dreamt of adventure, of seeing new places and meeting new people. But I never imagined that my journey would lead me to a Children’s Home, miles away from everything I knew. As we walked through the gates, we were struck by the sight of five children playing in the yard. They were laughing and shouting, oblivious to the world beyond their walls.  I swooped in, and I ran toward them to join. I learned about their hopes and dreams, their fears and insecurities. I saw their challenges, and I related with them. And thus began the journey of growing up into a family of 40+. 

BREAKTHROUGH

I graduated from Kopila Valley School in 2020 and transitioned out of the house in 2018. The transition phase was both exciting and daunting, but I have to say it had the most impact on my life as I grew as a young adult. I was managing my finances, cooking, handling multiple tasks, and making schedules and future plans. It was also during this time that I recognized that the transition phase was not a one-time event but an ongoing process. 

Before I embarked on my new journey as an adult, I had a lot of thinking to do. I really wanted to pursue IT as my bachelor’s degree, but I was from a Management background and IT became a little tricky to pursue. 

I came to Kathmandu to look for colleges and explore. But I always had King’s College in my mind. Leaving Kopila Valley was rather heartbreaking. The new city overwhelmed me, but there were other graduates and my sisters and brothers, who were already pursuing their education and careers in Kathmandu, so I always had people to go to for help and inspiration. 

Now I am studying for a BBA (Bachelor’s Degree In Business Administration), specifically Investment in Economics.  I am in my third year, and I already have a plan for what I want as my professional career – real estate.  The flexibility and independence it can offer intrigues me. Real estate agents often have control over their own schedules and work independently, allowing for a greater degree of autonomy and work-life balance. 

I have also secured a job which I will start in a couple of months. And even though I am busy in Kathmandu, I still make time for people I love and things I love doing. 

Kopila is the perfect testbed for ideas. Everything I am getting done is because Kopila prepared me for it. 

My journey hasn’t been a straight line. In life, I may have to make a few sacrifices. Yes, I may need to get creative with time management. It’s not easy, but it’s such a huge accomplishment to get this far. I’m one of the first generation in my biological family who will be a college graduate soon, and I’m extremely proud. 

Everything is doable. You just need to give yourself grace and be determined. Remember how good you are going to feel when you accomplish your goals despite your struggles. 

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.