You can fail. 

You can choose the wrong path. 

You can do something wrong. 

You can make wrong decisions. 

You can be reckless. 

You can be scared. 

But you can’t give up. 

Swastika flew to Japan in September of 2024. She decided that she wanted to pursue her further education there so that she can easily find a job to sustain herself, without relying on her family to support her financially. She was afraid of failing, choosing the wrong path, making mistakes, but she decided not to give up. 

Imagine this: you were born into a family residing in a society where living alone is a far-fetched thought, especially for a young girl who is of age to get married. Society normalizes getting married young and going away to live in your in-laws’ house, and people find it patronizing and modern to live alone and be independent. Swastika wasn’t moving out of her parent’s house. In fact, she was moving out of the country. Breaking through all societal norms, she chose to fly—fly away to a country where her dreams would unfold like small fragments of hope. 

Eighth months of a Japanese course in Nepal had Swastika all excited and, at the same time, nervous. ‘Fear is inevitable. But face it anyway.’ This is the motto she carried in her heart and went along with the process because deep down she wanted to know what it’s like to travel the strange course of life—which, for her, is getting out of the country all on her own. 

FAMILY AND HOPE

Swastika grew up in a small town, Surkhet, where her family’s daily life was a constant battle against poverty. Her father worked long hours as a carpenter, carving doors and windows for people, barely earning enough to put food on the table. Despite their efforts, meeting even the most basic needs was a struggle, and Swastika’s education seemed like an impossible dream. 

Her parents simply couldn’t afford the fees, books, and uniforms required to send her to school. 

Her father started to take on more tasks. He worked even on weekends and came home very late at night. With the little extra he was earning, her parents were able to send Swastika to a government school. 

Every parent dreams of providing their children with an education that not only imparts knowledge but also nurtures their dreams and honed their skills.  For Swastika’s parents, this dream felt painfully out of reach. Limited by their circumstances, they were deeply saddened by their inability to send their daughter to a private school that could nurture her aspirations. Yet, despite the challenges, they remained hopeful in their goal: to one day see Swastika enrolled in a school that could open doors to a brighter future and empower her to achieve her dreams.

And quickly, a rumor became a flicker of hope for Swastika’s family. They heard about Kopila Valley School, known for supporting children from underprivileged backgrounds. The school not only provided free education but also offered meals, which eased the burden for families like hers. Swastika was only eight years old when she joined the Kopila school. 

“The first impression I had of the school was ‘Wow, this is where I will be going to school?’ I was familiar with a very different school environment. I wasn’t used to teachers being friendly, befriending classmates easily, rice-daal-tarkari (rice-lentils-vegetables) for lunch, snacks in the afternoon – so much seemed to happen at the school that struck me with awe. It felt so right to be there, like I was meant to be there all along,” Swastika says. Her parents had hoped and wished for her better education, and Kopila Valley School equipped her, not with just knowledge, but with a desire to soar high above the sky. 

Swastika’s family soon became even more connected to Kopila Valley.

“Kopila Valley is the best thing that ever happened to me. My dear mother, who is kind and heartwarming, was always looking for ways to support my dad with financial burdens. Without any educational background and years spent as a housewife, she felt helpless. But soon she found her position at the Kopila Valley Women’s Center, where she learned tailoring. She was so giddy about the fact that she too was learning something new and valuable. It filled me with immense pride to see her come home with stories and new products she tailored. She seemed like a little girl going to school to learn. It was a relief when both of my parents were earning, no matter how small the amount.”

Gradually, their life problems seemed to lessen, little by little. 

Swastika graduated from Kopila Valley School in 2024 with eagerness to chase her dreams and build her future. 

“After graduating, without hesitation I jumped to the goal I always carried within me. My one biggest goal was to study Management, and at the same time to earn an income so that I can help my family with their mountains of financial burdens. I even interned at Laxmi Sunrise Bank in Surkhet for four months. With the internship, I gained experience and overview of the Management career, and I knew I was walking on the right path.” This surety, clarity, and certainty took her to Japan. 

TURNING PAGES

“There are days when I wake up feeling defeated, as if the weight of my expectations has crushed me before I have even begun. I am currently enrolled in a Japanese language course, which I need to complete before pursuing a degree in Management – while also balancing my job as a waiter at a café. I’ll be frank with you; it’s not easy. There are mistakes that I make at the cafe which I am unable to shake out of my system, shadowing a coworker whose language I’m still trying to learn is painful, and constant worry about the future and my family back home gets me anxious. 

“But this is what I tell myself, ‘Maybe your path is harder because your calling is higher.’ This phrase gets me through every single day because I do believe that my calling is much higher.” 

Swastika misses her home and her family. She often wishes she was with them in Nepal, but the fulfillment she feels by sending home money is the achievement she longed for. She anticipates the day when she will return home with dreams fulfilled, degree received, independence, and the pride of her family. 

WISE WORDS FROM A WISE YOUNG LADY

Swastika is venturing into her journey gracefully, and with deep dedication rooted in  her hope and dreams. Here are some wise words she wants to share; 

“Just as life evolves, so do we. The phase of life we’re in now, filled with its own challenges and joys, will soon become just another memory. It’s a reminder that change is constant, and with each passing day, we are growing older and fighting our own insecurities. This is what adulthood looks like, and remember, ‘It’s you against you.’”