Big dreams Bold actions

There was a time when my future seemed uncertain, when the idea of receiving an education felt like a distant dream. I was just a young girl in a remote village in Nepal, surrounded by mountains and tradition, where the concept of girls going to school was nearly unheard of. But my life changed one day, 30 years ago, when a kind traveler passed through our village and did something extraordinary—he sponsored my education. That one act of kindness opened a door I never knew existed, transforming my world from what could have been a horrible nightmare into a life of beautiful opportunity. I promised myself then that if I ever had the chance, I would pay that gift forward.

In 2008, I co-founded The Small World (TSW), an organization that allows me to fulfill that promise every day. My heart has always been with the girls and women who, like me, are just waiting for someone to believe in them. As the Programs Director of TSW, I’ve had the privilege of shaping programs that give girls a voice and a future—programs like the "Mentoring Programs for Adolescent Girls" and "I Am Proud to Be a Girl," which provide scholarships for university education. Seeing these girls walk into classrooms for the first time, knowing they have the chance to rewrite their stories, reminds me of the journey I once took.

It hasn’t always been easy. Working in the remote villages of the Everest region is a challenge in itself. I’ve seen the hardship these women face daily—poverty, cultural barriers, the struggle to make ends meet. That’s why we started the "Seeds of Hope" income-generation program and piloted washable sanitary pads to break the taboo around menstruation and create employment for over 150 women across Solukhumbu. When I see these women earning for the first time, I feel that same joy I felt as a young girl walking into school with my first book in hand.

Since 2016, I’ve also been involved in rural health missions, doing everything I can to provide medical aid to those who are often overlooked, and teaching young leaders about ethical leadership through National Geographic Student Expeditions.

In moments when I’ve doubted myself, I’ve looked up to women like Michelle Obama. She, too, was different, faced challenges, and overcame them to achieve the impossible. I’ve carried that inspiration with me, knowing that every obstacle we overcome isn’t just for ourselves but for all the girls and women who look to us for hope.

In March 2023, I was named one of the 30 Iconic Nepali Women, a recognition that felt surreal. But the true honor came in July 2023, when I had the chance to meet former U.S. President Barack Obama. He recognized our work at The Small World, and while standing in that moment, all I could think about was that little girl from the mountains, the one who had no idea what was possible.

I believe with all my heart that education is the key to change. It saved me, and now I’m paying it forward every day. When I see these girls and women rising, finding their voices, and realizing their dreams, I know that I’m exactly where I’m meant to be. It all started with a single act of kindness, and it’s that same kindness that continues to ripple out into the world, changing lives one step at a time.