In this blog, Surya reflects on his powerful journey of growth, learning, and giving back. He writes about overcoming challenges, building confidence, and embracing the value of community. Read Surya’s inspiring story of transformation and hope; it’s a true testament that it’s the lack of opportunity and not the lack of ability that holds back students from public schools. #SamaantaFoundation
It is hard to forget the happiness and sense of achievement I felt the day I passed the tenth standard, or colloquially, the SEE. It is reasonable because we start dreaming of becoming doctors, businesspeople, politicians, and much more after we pass the SEE. Unfortunately, not every SEE graduate can pursue their dreams as easily; not because they lack the grit or the ability to chase big dreams, but because they lack opportunities and resources. I dreamt of becoming a successful businessperson despite lacking the said resources.
My family would not have been able to afford my high school education. Consequently, this crushed my dream of becoming a businessperson. Fortunately, with help from the Samaanta Foundation, I continued my high school education at Nepal Mega College. It is miraculous that I could continue high school, let alone at one of the best institutions in the country’s capital.
After receiving a Fellowship from the Samanata Foundation, my life has changed dramatically. I have found a second family at Samaanta, where love and kindness are shared, where we’re taught how to live a meaningful life, and where even failures are appreciated as a path to learning. I also had an opportunity to attend different sessions and workshops at Samaanta. I have attended sessions on financial literacy, digital literacy, social inclusion, gender equality, and much more. These sessions not only help me gain knowledge, but also help me broaden my thinking, and I apply them in real life.
Another opportunity I received as a Samaanta Fellow is to be a part of the Aakar Nepal Impact Leader Fellowship. This fellowship paired me with a mentor who helped me implement a community-based project for three months. This helped me develop my problem-solving skills while also helping me get a better sense of the available career prospects. The fellowship at Aakar Nepal was undoubtedly helpful for learning, building connections, and growing myself by putting me out of my comfort zone. Working with new people, sharing ideas on community-related issues, and solving them are the highlights of my experience.
All Samaanta Fellows live in hostels provided by the Foundation, and my days here have been unforgettable, filled with joy and learning, something I will cherish throughout my life. I have received immense love and care from this family. Years down the line, I will fondly look back on the memories I have created here with others- singing songs, playing the guitar, flute, and madal together, sitting on the hostel balcony. It is a blessing to be around people who are ever ready to help each other without expecting anything in return. All the love, care, and friendship make one forget that one is living away from one’s own home and family.
My high school is another place that has allowed me to grow daily. In the initial days of my high school, I had to face many challenges. It was quite difficult for me to understand English as the official medium of instruction until my tenth standard was Nepali. Later, with the help of support classes from Samaanta, I worked hard to improve my proficiency in English. Similarly, I learnt more about debate, and honed my presentation skills, and now, by the end of high school, I can comfortably ask the right questions and speak for myself. This, in itself, is a huge achievement for me, and I believe, has contributed a lot to my overall development.
Another important privilege I received at Samaanta is the opportunity to give back to my community. Being an educated person from my community, I took my first step to play the role of a changemaker through Samaanta’s Community Work project. Along with other Samaanta Fellows, I planned and organized a social media awareness program for youths in my community school. It was aimed at making adolescents aware of the downsides of excessive social media usage. Thanks to the awareness program, many adolescents who attended the program, especially from classes 7 to 10, are now more conscious about their use of social media.
Today, I see so much potential in myself and feel confident to face problems that come my way. This two-year Fellowship journey has shaped me into who I am today. I wouldn’t be the person I am today without the support of the Samanata Foundation. In the last two years, I have learned, unlearned and relearned so many things while feeling like a family all the while. Samaanta’s mission to educate and empower with an equity approach is not just inspiring, it is life-changing. Through this journey, I have also learned about the powerful concept of “Paying it Forward.” Samanata has taught me that real success is not just about becoming something for ourselves but also about giving back to our community, helping those who are where we once were, and being a part of positive change in society. Now, I carry that sense of responsibility with me and hope one day, I can provide others with similar opportunities that changed my life.