Her Life, Her Strength

I never imagined that I would reach this point in my life, yet every painful chapter has made me stronger and more determined to rise.

My name is Sangeeta Shrestha and Her Life Her Strength is the story of how I turned pain and abandonment into purpose and hope. I was born in Kathmandu, but love, safety, and proper care were missing from my childhood. My mother left me when I was just one year old, and although I lived with my father and relatives, no one truly cared for me. By the age of five, I had already experienced what it meant to survive without support. I spent years near Pashupatinath Temple, collecting thrown-away items to earn a few rupees for food. The streets became my home. Sleeping under the open sky and eating leftovers were normal parts of my childhood.

As I grew older, I was sent to work in other people’s houses. I saw my father coming only to take the money I earned, despite having a government job. I worked in cowsheds, carried vegetables from markets, sold roasted corn, and even walked around selling bread and snacks just to survive. During this time, I was often looked at with bad intentions, and I had to constantly protect myself because people believed that a girl with no family support could easily be harmed. These years taught me to be strong, but they also filled me with deep emotional wounds.

There was a moment when I felt completely hopeless, so much so that I even tried to end my own life. That painful moment made me realize that regardless of what others say or think about me, my life has value, and I must keep moving forward. I continued my studies until grade eight, and step by step, I kept fighting for a better life.

Later, I started modeling, hoping to find a new path. I got married to a man I met through Facebook, and although we had dreams of a better life together, things did not go as planned. He left abroad four weeks after our marriage, and I soon became pregnant. I returned to living with my in-laws, where financial struggles once again surrounded me. My family responsibilities grew, and despite many efforts, every business we tried failed. I opened a dairy shop, sold snacks on a cart, but nothing succeeded. After giving birth, I even worked as a teacher for one and a half years, but the salary was too low to sustain us.

In all these situations, my self-confidence slowly faded. I felt that I was uneducated, unskilled, and not capable of achieving anything. I wanted to do something meaningful, but I did not know where to begin.

This changed the day I found Life Project 4 Youth (LP4Y).

LP4Y welcomed me not as a failed woman, but as a strong young person full of potential. They believed in me even before I believed in myself. Through LP4Y, I learned to rebuild my confidence, communicate in English, and develop professional skills. More importantly, I discovered my courage, my abilities, and my right to dream.

LP4Y gave me a supportive environment where I am respected, encouraged, and guided to grow. They helped me understand that my past struggles are not a weakness but a strength that shapes who I am today. For the first time, I feel hopeful about my future. I feel ready to build a better life for my family and step into the job market as a capable, skilled, and dedicated young woman.

I am deeply grateful to LP4Y for lighting a path that once felt completely dark. They have given hope to young women like me who were ignored by society, yet refused to give up.

Today, I feel proud, strong, and confident that I can achieve the life I once only dreamed about.

Thank you, LP4Y, for transforming my journey and helping me find my true worth.