“Never Give Up Your Education” — Sima's Journey
Sima Sewa, a 15-year-old girl from Buspark, Dipayal Silgadhi Municipality-5, Doti, lives in a family with three siblings - two elder sisters and one brother who is in 3rd grande Her father works as a tailor, and he does not get much work because of readymade clothes available in stores everywhere. These days his work is primarily focused on repairing and mending the old clothes, and he does not get paid well for his work. Her mother is a housewife and supports her father’s tailoring work in her spare time. Her father’s income is small and irregular. Her father always finds it difficult to meet household needs, despite of his hard work. Sima says, "Sometimes, there is no sufficient foods to eat for all of us. However, my parents are committed to support our educational expenses, My life is filled with daily struggle, courage, and hope. In my everyday life, I face economic hardship, caste discrimination, but I have never lost faith in my education.”
About Sima
Currently, she is a 9th-grade student at Shree Padma Public Muktinarayan Secondary School. At school, she is active not only in her studies but also in sports. According to her, sports activities boost her self-confidence and provides opportunities to learn new things. She always participates in sports and other competitions. Her favorite subjects in school are Nepali, English, Science, and Mathematics. The other side of her school life isn't that easy for her. She says, "Some friends look at me down because of my family’s economic status and the caste that I belong. It's very disheartening when students from affluent families undervalue their friends from poor families. The other side, there are few friends who are very supportive and they understand my situation and encourage me. These experiences have made me stronger and encourage me to work harder”.
Beside her studies, she has learnt to hand-knitting skills at school. Currently, she can knit few items like handkerchiefs. She hopes to continue this skill with her daily life in future.
Fighting for Justice against Caste and Gender-based Discriminations
In addition, financial difficulties, Sima, since her childhood, has felt deep pains of caste-based discrimination and social inequality. She has personally witnessed derogatory treatment of people from lower caste (known as Dalits) in her village. Dalits are untouchable, marginalized and discriminated in public places by upper castes. Also, the gender-based discrimination is deeply rooted in Nepali culture. Sima, being a girl and dalit experiences discrimination in everyday life. These experiences raise profound questions in her mind: "Why people are discriminated based on their birth?" These discriminatory practices are completely wrong, which has influenced her way of thinking and life. Her ambition is to become an educated person not only to end her family's poverty but also voice against caste and gender discriminations and build a just society.
For Sima, education is not merely a means to obtain a certificate; but it is the foundation of her life to acquire dignity, freedom, and a path to change the society. She firmly believes, "Without education, people cannot transform themselves and others. Education helps build our confidence and enables us to live with respect and dignity in society."
Inspired by Parents
Sima says, "My father and mother are my source of inspirations in my life. They have taught us the virtue of life, just and unjust, honesty, kindness and love. They are working hard to provide us education, and I want to fulfill their dreams." Sima dreams of becoming a schoolteacher. According to her, a schoolteachers can play important role in transforming our communities. She wants to provide quality education to children from poor families and dalit communities. She is also committed to end the caste discrimination, untouchability, and gender inequality in her community.
Sima's story is not just about a student's struggle; it is an example of how the education opportunity can transform a young girl's life. Thousands of girls like her can become change agent of their families, communities and nation as a whole, if they are provided educational opportunities.
Journey of Hope’s Scholarship
Because of her family’s poverty she was about to drop out from her school. In the meantime, she learnt about the Journey of Hope’s scholarship program from her school. Now she is receiving the scholarship which enabled her to continue her school. Journey of Hope provided scholarship helps her to purchase school supplies and stationaries, books, fees, school uniforms, shoes, school bag and transportation.
Sima says that "If I hadn't received this scholarship, it was not possible for me to continue my studies and it was certain that I would have been one another school dropout" She says, “I have learnt that no matter how difficult the circumstances are, never give up your education and dream. Education is the great power to change our life and society."
“My mother works day and night as a laborer just to send me to school. She looks very happy when she sees me going school. Because of her sacrifices, I can never give up my school. I have to study hard and become successful. This is only way to pay back her hard work.”
— Sushan
A Hard Reality: Sushan’s Story
Only a few years ago, Sushan’s life changed suddenly when his father was involved in a serious car accident that left him almost completely disabled. Today, he depends on family members for everyday activities. In Nepal, there is no reliable insurance system to support families facing such circumstances, leaving Sushan’s household struggling to survive. The responsibility of providing for the family fell entirely on Sushan’s mother. She works as a daily wage laborer, taking whatever work, she can find just to make ends meet. Despite long hours of physically demanding work, she remains determined to keep her children in school. Sushan and his younger brother help with household chores as much as possible, but their mother insists that Sushan stay focused on his education. Supporting his studies has become her greatest priority. Born in the far-western region of Nepal, Sushan is currently a ninth-grade student. His school is a fifteen-minute walk from home, and he has never missed a single day of classes. Social studies is his favorite subject, and teachers describe him as attentive, disciplined, and eager to learn. Each evening before dinner, Sushan completes his homework independently. Since both of his parents are illiterate, there is no one at home to guide him academically — yet he continues to excel through determination and self-discipline.
At school, Sushan actively participates in quiz competitions and debates, activities that have helped him grow in confidence. He has a small but supportive group of friends and often notices that many classmates share similar economic hardships. Comparing experiences has helped him better understand the struggles of children growing up in poverty. The family’s financial challenges intensified after his father’s accident. Even before then, they were among the poorest families in their community. Sushan’s elder brother was forced to drop out of school when the family could no longer afford educational expenses. Although still underage, he now joins their mother in daily labor work whenever opportunities arise.
A Mother’s Sacrifice
There were times when Sushan doubted whether he would be able to complete high school. The rising cost of education made the future uncertain. Yet his mother continually reassured him that she would work harder if necessary to keep him in school. She is his greatest inspiration. Her resilience and quiet strength motivate him every day.
A Journey of Hope
Through a local organization, FEDO, Sushan learned about the Journey of Hope scholarship program. After a competitive selection process, he was chosen as a scholarship recipient — a moment that brought immense relief and happiness to his family. The scholarship covers essential educational expenses including school fees, stationery, clothing, shoes, and a school bag. For his mother, this support lifted a heavy financial burden. For Sushan, it provided something equally powerful: confidence. He explains that the scholarship has allowed him to focus fully on his studies and has given him renewed motivation to succeed. He is deeply grateful not only for the immediate assistance but also for the program’s commitment to supporting him through high school.
Sushan now dreams of completing college and becoming a professor. He believes education has the power to transform lives — including his own and those in his village. He says the profession is respected in his community and adds, “It will make my parents feel proud.”
Tulsi Bhandari’s Story
Walking Toward a Better Future
Every morning, Tulsi Bhandari picks up her worn school bag, puts on her old school uniform, and begins the long walk to school along a dusty road through the jungle. Her school is four kilometers away, which means she walks nearly eight kilometers every day just to attend her classes. Some days there is not enough food at home for everyone, yet Tulsi still makes the journey with a half-full stomach. Turning back has never been an option. Tulsi is the second of four siblings and recently turned seventeen, studying in Grade 10. In her family, birthdays come and go quietly because the biggest concern is making sure there are two meals a day. Poverty has deeply shaped her life, leaving many basic needs unmet. Her parents never had the chance to attend school, and her father worked as a seasonal laborer in India, returning home with little money but always reminding her, “I couldn’t study, but you must.”
Responsibility and Determination
Tulsi’s older brother and sister left home in search of work and a better life, and months have passed without any news from them. In their absence, Tulsi helps her mother with household chores and takes care of her younger sister, often relying on relatives for support with daily needs. Despite these responsibilities, she continues her education because she believes strongly that education is the path to a better future. At Shree Padma Public Muktinarayan Secondary School, where she studies in Grade 10, Tulsi often notices the gap between students who have resources and those who do not. Many classmates wear new clothes, shoes, and watches, while Tulsi owns only one set of clothes and a pair of flip-flops. Some classmates share kindness and friendship, while others laugh at her situation. Although these moments are painful, Tulsi refuses to let poverty weaken her determination. She especially enjoys Computer Studies, plays Kabaddi, and participates in school debates, activities that help her grow more confident and stronger.
The Impact of the Journey of Hope Scholarship
Tulsi’s life changed when she was selected for the Journey of Hope Foundation Scholarship Program, which supports children from disadvantaged families to continue their education. On December 24, 2025, she received the first of three scholarship installments, which will help her purchase school supplies, a school uniform, a pair of shoes, and pay her school fees. The scholarship brought immense relief to Tulsi. She shared, “I am thankful to Journey of Hope for this scholarship. Before, I used to worry about school supplies and learning materials. Now I can focus on my studies.” Journey of Hope is committed to supporting Tulsi through her high school education and beyond. Before receiving the scholarship, she often doubted whether she would be able to finish school. Today she calls it her lifeline and is determined to complete her education, work in a government office, support her parents and siblings, and help other children from poor families like her.
Carrying Hope Forward
When Tulsi speaks to other girls facing hardship, her message is calm but powerful: “Education can change everything. No matter how hard life is, we must keep moving forward.” Every step she takes on her long walk to school represents more than her own pursuit of education. She carries hope for her family, inspiration for girls like her, and the promise of a future where poverty no longer stands in the way of a child’s education.
Karina: A Story of a Girl’s Struggle to Pursue Her Dream
From Village Life to Kathmandu Dreams
Karina grew up in Bauniya, Kailali, in a large family struggling with poverty. With no higher education opportunities beyond Grade 8 in her village, she made the difficult decision to move to Kathmandu to continue her studies. She is now in Grade 9 at Kanya Mandir Secondary School, pursuing a path that once felt out of reach.
Family Struggles and Sacrifices
As the tenth of eleven children, Karina grew up in a household facing financial hardship. Her father’s low-income farming work was barely enough for daily needs, leading many siblings to miss out on education or marry early. Her two sisters made personal sacrifices, one working while studying and another remaining unmarried to help support the family and Karina’s education.
Facing Discrimination with Determination
Coming from a low caste community, Karina has experienced social discrimination that affected her family’s dignity and daily life. These experiences strengthened her belief in equality and justice. She now speaks against discrimination and remains committed to overcoming social barriers through education and personal growth.
Support, Sports, and a Clear Goal
With support from Journey of Hope-Nepal, Karina received a scholarship that covers her essential education and living expenses, easing her financial stress. She performs well academically and actively participates in soccer, which helps build discipline for her dream of becoming an army officer. Through a disciplined daily routine, she continues to work toward her goal while encouraging other girls to stay focused on their education.
Karina