Every person encounters hardship, but what defines us is how we respond to it. From setbacks to just needing a change in life, ups and downs can be an opportunity to thrive in disguise. Samjhana is a young teacher and a student of life. She is passionate, compassionate and a hard worker. She is built with grit that defines her as the very word resilient. 

JOURNEY TO KOPILA VALLEY

In the midst of the Civil War that plagued Nepal, Samjhana found herself uprooted from her familiar home in Dailekh, a remote part of Nepal. Her parents made the courageous decision to migrate to Surkhet, a city far from the conflict-ridden regions, in search of a safety and a better future for their family. Her heart was heavy as they left behind cherished memories and the warmth of their relatives and neighbors. With each passing mile, the scenery transformed, reflecting the turbulence that engulfed their nation. Surkhet, although unfamiliar, welcomed them with open arms, offering a glimmer of hope. 

Together they embarked on this new chapter, weaving their resilience and love into the tapestry of their adopted city, ready to build a new life from the ashes of their past selves. 

As Samjhana recalls, it wasn’t as easy as her parents thought it would be. During the time when the city was flooded by migrating people, it became impossible to find a decent-paying job. That was when her father picked up a painting job, fortunately. 

“My father painted many houses. But when he was offered a job to paint Kopila Valley Children’s Home, it changed my life,” she tells us. “Every time the Children’s Home needed painting, he was always there. After two to three years of painting the home, he found out that the founders were building a school for orphan children and those who can’t afford to go to school. He met with Tope sir and Maggie and sought help as he was struggling to educate all his four children. They listened to his story and saw a need and decided to enroll one child, that’s me.” She smiles. 

From the moment she stepped through the school’s welcoming doors, Samjhana’s spirit was ignited with a sense of boundless curiosity. The school resonated with a vibrant energy, as her days were filled with an array of enriching activities that allowed her to explore her interests and talents. 

During dance classes, Samjhana twirled and leaped with graceful abandon, embracing the power of movement as a means of self-expression. Within the school’s cozy library, she would lose herself in the pages of books. But it was on the soccer field that Samjhana truly found her stride. She dashed across the ground, her feet deftly maneuvering the ball as she weaved through a maze of opponents. The exhilaration of scoring a goal AND being on the first girls’ team in Surkhet filled her with an indescribable sense of triumph. From playing on Kopila Valley School’s ground to playing on National and International Fields, she discovered herself at a very young age. 

“One of my favorite memories from Kopila Valley is my very first relay race. I was known to be very shy at first. I ran barefoot and came first. I still can’t describe the victory I felt. Something changed in me that day.” And yes, she persisted to win more relay races and marathons. In fact, she started to win in life. 

As the years passed, Samjhana’s time at Kopila Valley School became a cherished chapter in her life, forever etched in her heart. She graduated in the year 2020 from a fertile ground that cultivated her passions, nurtured her talents and empowered her to become the best version of herself, wherever she decides to go. 

SETBACKS DID NOT STOP HER

Just as Samjhana joyfully tossed plans and dreams into the air, an unforeseen storm loomed on the horizon. The world was gripped by the relentless grip of the COVID-19 pandemic, casting a shadow of uncertainty over her plans to pursue further education. On top of that, unfortunately, she did not qualify for the university loan provided by Kopila Valley School. 

She did not know what to do. 

She tried for many scholarships. 

She did not get any scholarships.

After almost one and a half years passed, she made up her mind. She was not going to continue her education, instead she was going to apply for the Army and work. Even here, she did not qualify. Samjhana found herself caught in a whirlwind of emotions –  uncertainty, disappointment, and frustration. 

There was a lingering feeling inside her, and she had to do something. Otherwise her parents would marry her off and that was one thing she DID NOT want. 

In a search of the future, she went to Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal. After visiting many institutions and colleges, she went to Global College and applied for a scholarship for BHM (Bachelors in Hotel Management). Instead, they offered a sports scholarship to pursue a Tourism degree.  Even though BHM was her chosen field, a course she saw herself pursuing, it seemed that a scholarship was her only hope, so she decided to study Tourism. 

“My family never told me to continue my studies, nor even discussed it.  I chose to do it.  When I decided that on my own, I knew that I would have to find a way to pay my tuition fees. That was the best decision I made. I could have chosen to give up, but I did not.” 

23-year-old Samjhana is in her 3rd semester, continuing her Tourism studies. “I went to my first class knowing nothing about tourism. For the first week, I was stunned that there was even a subject for hiking, trekking, and traveling. I grew up basically walking everywhere my whole life, and tourism was just beyond my imagination. It took some time, but eventually I came to fall in love with it.” 

Leading herself toward her future, despite many struggles, Samjhana is also a TEACHER! At Nexus International School, she coaches football for 1st graders to 10th graders. She jokes, “My students are taller than me, I get easily lost in their crowd.” 

It’s not easy for her to attend classes and earn her livelihood. But her struggle is the only reason why she gets to earn a degree. 

Samjhana participates in national football competitions. Just a few months ago, she played 9th National game in Pokhara. She is also one of the youngest members of a Futsal Club (similar to soccer/football) called Megapower. And she is the Captain of Megapower. 

Her students are succeeding too. “Just the other day, my students won a match,” she boasts proudly. “There is also an exhilaration that fills up my insides, and there is a serenity that equals no other, and it is in passing moments like these that I realize why I am a dreamer.”

In her spare time, she takes trips into the wilderness of Kathmandu Valley. “There is no place I have not visited.” She mentions, “The world is so much bigger, every day I am learning to see it.”  

Samjhana’s unexpected path, decided by her fate and hard work, encourages her to wake up in the morning and start with passion and determination, every single day. 

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.