From Silence to Strenght: A Resilient Youth Story from Nepal

My name is Smita Rai, and I’m from Ilam (eastern part) of Nepal, however now I am living in Kathmandu. I come from a middle-class family, and my parents have worked incredibly hard to raise me and my brother. They came from a small village in Nepal, where opportunities were limited, but they decided to move to Kathmandu to give us a better life and education. They knew that education was the key to breaking the cycle of struggle, so they made countless sacrifices to ensure that we could attend a private school from nursery all the way through to now. Watching my parents give everything they had for our future left a deep impression on me. They didn’t just provide us with an education, they gave us the foundation for a better life, even if it meant going through hardships themselves.

One of the most selfless sacrifices my mother made was going abroad to earn money for our family. I still remember the day she left. It was one of the hardest moments for all of us. My mother, who had always been there for us, had to leave us behind so she could work in a foreign country, far away from her children and her family. She did this not just to provide us with an education, but to ensure we could survive during some of the toughest times of our lives. Every time I think about the pain in her eyes when she left, I am reminded of how much love and sacrifice she has shown us.

But our struggles didn’t stop there. When I was in class 8, my father became seriously ill. The man who had always been the pillar of our family suddenly became so weak that we had to watch him suffer. It was a helpless feeling, knowing that all the dreams my parents had worked so hard for, the dream of owning a home where we could be safe and happy, began to slip away. We had been saving for years to buy land and build our family’s dream house, but all our savings were used up for my father’s treatment. It was a heartbreaking decision, and I could see the pain in my father’s eyes as he struggled to accept the reality of our situation. It was not his fault, but it felt like our dreams were shattering before us.

In the midst of all this, my mother made the difficult decision to go abroad. She had to leave us behind once again, but this time, it wasn’t just about education, it was about survival. It was about keeping our family together, making sure my father received the treatment he needed, and giving us a fighting chance. My mother’s strength, courage, and determination to provide for us in the face of such adversity are what continue to drive me to this day.

Growing up, I faced my own struggles, especially when it came to my confidence. I was a shy, introverted child, and the bullying I faced at school only made things worse. When I was in class 5, I was chosen to lead a speech program at school. I was terrified. The fear of speaking in front of others was paralyzing, and when my moment came, I froze. I couldn’t speak a word. The teasing from my classmates made me feel even more worthless, like I was not good enough to do anything that required courage or confidence. It was painful to feel so small, so invisible, but it was in these moments of weakness that I decided I had to change.

That’s when my best friend, Sostika, came into my life. She was always there to support me, through thick and thin. One day, she told me about Life Project 4 Youth (LP4Y). She had seen the transformation LP4Y had brought in the lives of others, and she believed it could help me too. She encouraged me to join, and looking back, it was the best decision I ever made. Joining LP4Y was a turning point for me. It wasn’t just about gaining new skills, it was about finding my voice. For the first time, I was surrounded by people who believed in me, who saw potential where I saw failure. LP4Y gave me the courage to face my fears and step into the light. LP4Y didn’t just help me gain new skills, it gave me the courage to be myself, to speak up, and to believe in my own worth, through their support, I gained the courage to face my fears.

Joining LP4Y has been a transformative experience that significantly shaped my personal and professional growth. I worked in various departments, each offering valuable lessons and challenges:

• In the Human Resources & Finance department, I gained skills in budgeting, managing the cash book and box, and participating in monthly finance closings (SAGA). I also managed the money forecast and allocated tasks within the team, enhancing my organizational, financial, leadership, and teamwork abilities.

• In Learning and Development, I created content for basic computer training and facilitated sessions for both LP4Y colleagues and the local community. I also helped build partnerships with clubs and community members and tracked program effectiveness by updating the Key Impact Indicator (KII). During this time, I led a department team, coordinating tasks and responsibilities. This experience improved my leadership and communication skills, teaching me the importance of clear communication and active listening.

LP4Y provided professional exposure through company visits, mock interviews, and testimonies from industry experts. These experiences built my confidence and helped me refine my interview skills, directly contributing to securing my current job. The mock interviews and networking opportunities during the program played a crucial role in preparing me for professional roles in finance and administration.

One major challenge I faced was during the mobilization for computer training sessions. Despite some initial rejection from community members, I learned the importance of perseverance and adaptability. Balancing responsibilities across finance, training, and leadership roles pushed me beyond my comfort zone, helping me think critically, manage multiple tasks, and work under pressure, skills I continue to apply today.

One of the most powerful moments of my journey was when I was asked to be the Master of Ceremony for LP4Y’s Graduation Day. Standing in front of so many people, leading the event, was something I had never imagined I could do. But with each word I spoke, I felt the shy, bullied child inside me begin to fade away. I was no longer afraid. Later, I had the incredible opportunity to MC for LP4Y’s biggest event, Entrepreneur’s Day. It was a huge milestone for me, and as I stood there in front of everyone, I realized just how much I had grown. From being the quiet, self-conscious kid who couldn’t speak in public, I had transformed into someone capable of leading these major events with confidence.

Today, I am proud of who I have become. I no longer let my past or the bullying I endured define me. Thanks to LP4Y, I have gained the confidence to lead, to speak, and to believe in my own abilities. But my journey isn’t just about me, it’s about giving back to my family, especially to my mother, who sacrificed so much for us.

I am currently a bachelor’s student, working hard to continue my education and build a better future. I already have a decent job, but my true dream is to give my parents the life they deserve. I want to give them the dream house they’ve always wanted, a house filled with warmth, love, and memories. I will work tirelessly, and with every step I take, I will remember the sacrifices they made for me. My first priority will be to bring my mother back from abroad, so that we can all be together again.

I will not rest until I can make them proud and repay them for everything they’ve done for me. I want my mother to know that her sacrifices will never be forgotten, and I want my father to see the dream they both had come to life. The journey is far from over, but I now walk it with confidence, as a resilient youth in Nepal, shaped by my family’s sacrifices and the strength I’ve discovered through every challenge. My future is bright, not just because of what I can achieve, but because of the love and sacrifices that have shaped me into the person I am today.

Smita Rai - Youth from TDC Kathmandu, Nepal