In her own words, Sonam Tsokid Lama shares her journey from the remote district of Humla to pursuing higher education abroad an inspiring story of resilience, opportunity, and determination.
Humla is a place surrounded by beautiful mountains, serene hills, and untouched nature, but behind that beauty, there is a hard life people barely talk about. I was born in Torpa, a small village in Humla. Since I was a child, I have loved studying. I always enjoyed going to school and have always found myself excited at the possibility of learning. But when I was growing up, very few children went to school. Life was tough, especially after the Maoist insurgency, and education wasn’t a priority for many families, especially for girls. Despite the hardship, I was fortunate to have parents who wanted me to study. They sent me to my relatives’ home in the headquarters of Humla where I could attend school.
I completed my lower secondary education from Kailash Bodhi School and Secondary Education from Mansarowar Secondary School. That was the best thing my parents could have done for me. I, like many other students in Humla, wanted to study more and explore places, but after my SEE, I was certain that my educational journey had come to an end. I considered myself lucky to have gotten the opportunity to pursue my education until class 10, when my friends’ dreams faded too soon.
At that time Samaanta Foundation’s outreach had reached me, and one of my villager aunts (Who knew about Samaanta) had nominated me for the Fellowship. I was awarded an A+ grade in SEE, which wasn’t very common in Humla and was a moment of much happiness. But along with it tagged a greater joy. I was selected for the Samaanta Foundation Fellowship and would be going to Kathmandu to pursue my higher secondary education. My happiness knew no bounds.
After a few days, this small girl from Humla with big dreams and heavy responsibilities boarded a tiny plane to Nepalgunj and a not-so-tiny plane to Kathmandu. I still remember the tearful eyes of my parents as they said goodbye, filled with love, hope, and dreams for my future. That day I knew that my dreams were not just mine but theirs too. I promised myself to do my best and make them proud.
In Kathmandu, my journey with the Samaanta Foundation began. The uncertainty that lay in front of me made me nervous but I was equally excited. Samaanta Foundation is a not for profit organization that was founded by people who were provided with several scholarship opportunities around the world. They made their mission in life to share those opportunities with students like me. Here, Samaanta made me feel at home. Their comprehensive Fellowship not only provided me with an educational opportunity in Kathmandu, but their passion for equity and their belief that “it is not the lack of ability, but the lack of opportunity” provided me with several trainings and workshops for personal development, opportunities for career progression and also support and encouragement to apply for universities outside Nepal.
From a public school in Humla to a private college in Kathmandu wasn’t easy for sure, but with the help of Samaanta Foundation it was possible for this unimaginable dream to become a reality.
I completed my High School from Kathmandu and like all students. Once again, I was uncertain of what lay in front of me. I knew Samaanta would support me with my journey ahead but I wanted to explore more and know more, so I applied for various exams. One day there were two entrance exams scheduled from 11AM to 1PM and 1PM to 3PM. I took the first exam and rushed to the second even though I reached 30 mins late. In a few days, I was selected for several exams, but the one that stood out was a full scholarship to pursue computer science in a liberal arts university known as Asian University for Women in Bangladesh. This was a bigger, new and exciting opportunity for me.
Time came to leave Nepal which was never my plan. This feeling of leaving Nepal was very similar to leaving Humla, except the airplane was larger, dreams bigger and responsibilities heavier.
Here, I was surrounded by strangers, unfamiliar faces, different attire and culture with hot humid air. I had told myself that whatever happens this is home for the next 4 years, and lo and behold, I have found ways to connect to people, make friends and enjoy the place. I struggled quite a lot in the beginning but their pre-undergraduate classes helped me a lot and currently I serve as the executive member of the board in two clubs: AUW Volleyball Club (President), Women’s Across the Border Club (Vice-President) and am also working under professors as a Teaching Assistant.
Looking back, my journey from Humla to Kathmandu and now to Bangladesh still feels unreal. Every step has been filled with excitement, fear, hope, and a deep sense of responsibility. My story definitely demands a long gratitude letter to the people who have raised me, supported my dreams, believed in me and pushed me through it all. But more than that, my life is a testament that education can change the way we see the world and interact with it.
If my story proves anything, it’s that no dream is too big, no place is too far, and no challenge is too difficult when you have the right support and the determination to keep going. It also sheds light on the struggles of growing up in a remote part of Nepal, the role of organizations like Samaanta Foundation in creating opportunities, and the power of stepping out of your comfort zone. And when you get the chance, help someone else chase their dreams—because that’s how we move forward, together.
Sonam Tsokid Lama is a Fellow of the Samaanta Foundation and a third year undergraduate student at Asian University for Women Bangladesh.
