Daring to Dream: A Letter to the Changemakers of Tomorrow: A Letter to the Students of Nepal

Nov. 15, 2024

From: Muskan, Teach For Nepal 2023 Fellow

As you go through your daily routines, you may become unaware of the possibilities of what you can be. Amidst the hustle and bustle of schoolwork and home, you might sometimes forget to pause and wonder about the mysteries of yourself. Between exams and results, when things don’t go as planned, you may even begin to doubt yourself. But here’s a secret I want to share with you: the desire to keep going is the most powerful tool you have.

Each moment, I am filled with immense pride and hope for all of you. You are the light in our communities, the force that will change our villages and our nation for good. You are not only the future of Nepal but also its present, filled with potential, strength, and resilience. No matter where you come from, no matter the challenges you face, you have the power to rise above them.

Let me tell you a story about a girl who dared to dream beyond her circumstances—Asmita Mandal, one of the brightest stars I’ve had the privilege of knowing.

Asmita grew up in a family where education for girls was rarely prioritized. Her mother never attended school, and her father’s education stopped at grade 8. Like many girls in our Madhesi community, she was seen as a burden, her worth tied to dowry and marriage. When her parents allowed her to attend school, it wasn’t to empower her but to reduce the dowry they would have to provide if she completed her SEE.

Asmita’s days were filled with balancing household chores and her studies. She woke up early, cooked, cleaned, and helped with her siblings before heading to school. Despite this, she excelled in her classes. She refused to let societal expectations define her future.

After completing her SEE, Asmita’s family began planning her marriage, just as they had for her mother at age 13. But Asmita had a different vision for her life. With support from her teachers, including Teach For Nepal alumni Mahesh, she convinced her parents to let her continue her education. Mahesh’s confidence in Asmita’s potential inspired her parents to dream beyond their fears.

Today, Asmita is living proof of what can happen when a girl dares to dream. With a scholarship from Samaanta Foundation, she pursued her education in Kathmandu and later did her United World College in Norway. A day dream for her during her primary school, turned out to be a reality - only thing she did was continued her education despite hardship - and continued to excel in her field. She studied in Norway and is now preparing for her university degree in the United States. Her story is a testament to endurance and courage, to breaking barriers and redefining possibilities. Who knew a girl who was barred from traveling to Janaki Temple in Janakpur, mere 45 minutes walk and 15 minutes ride away, is now making her living in the United States on her own. 

To all the young girls reading this letter, remember this: your circumstances do not define you. Your gender does not limit you. Like Asmita, you can shatter the norms that hold you back. Speak up, believe in yourself, and work hard. Someone will backhead you. If it’s not Mahesh sir, it could be your Muskan miss. Or your neighbor or your closest neighborhood brother or uncle. Speak up you mind so that your dream is well known to many.

I know this because I’ve walked a path that, though different, has taught me similar lessons. Growing up in the bustling city of Biratnagar, I was blessed with a supportive family. My parents, despite societal pressures, believed in me and my two sisters. They raised us to value education and independence, teaching us that we were no less than anyone.

Unlike many Madhesi girls, I was free to pursue my dreams. I studied science in my A-levels and earned a bachelor’s degree in social work. Yet, when I joined Teach For Nepal and came to Kajra Ramaul in Dhanusha, I realized how rare my story was. Here, I saw girls burdened by early marriages, dowry demands, and limited opportunities.

These experiences gave me a purpose. I wanted to empower these young girls to see beyond their immediate struggles and dare to dream big. I am trying every way possible to let young girls from Karjra Ramaul to speak up their mind by started by creating safe spaces for them to share their hopes and fears. Slowly, they began to speak up, to believe in themselves, and to envision a future where they could achieve more.

Change isn’t easy, but it starts with a single voice—your voice.

Dear students, especially young girls, don’t let anyone tell you that your only purpose is to settle down and fulfill societal expectations. Your life is yours to shape. Your dreams are yours to chase. Like Asmita, you can break barriers. Like me, you can return to uplift your communities.

At this moment, you are the master of your universe. Dream, speak up, and never settle for less.

With love and hope,
Muskan
Teach For Nepal  2023 Fellow, Dhanusa

 

Also Read: Bijaya Mani Poudel, 2013 - 2015 Teach For Nepal Alumni, reflecting on Asmita's journey in an article Setopati

 


Muskan Kumari Shah, from Biratnagar, is making a difference in the lives of young learners in rural Nepal. After graduating from Mahendra Morang Aadarsha Multiple Campus with a degree in Social Work & Psychology, she joined Teach For Nepal as a maths Fellow. Today, she's inspiring students at Shree Janata Secondary School in Kajra Ramaul, Dhanusa. By supporting Teach For Nepal, you can help empower more individuals like Muskan to become catalysts for change in education.

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