Parmila* became a member of the Adara family when she was just three years old. She is one of 136 “Adara Kids” who come from a very remote region in Nepal, which was the epicentre of the conflict that ravaged Nepal for many years. We began caring for these children in 2004 – and ensured their immediate safety before reconnecting them to their families of origin. From there, we supported them through education, vocational training, and independent living.
All the Adara Kids have now graduated from the programme, with many in the workforce or pursuing further studies. They are leading happy, healthy lives. Parmila is now completing her undergraduate degree in Hong Kong – and is about to commence work with a major international investment bank. She is a shining example of what’s possible when children are safe, supported, and given the tools to reach their full potential.
When she was recently back in Nepal, Parmila visited Adara’s education projects in Ghyangfedi. For her, the experience was deeply personal and profoundly moving – a moment of coming full circle. In her own words, Parmila shares what it meant to see the same culture of hope and support that transformed her life now flourishing in another community. She reminds us that we should never stop working for the rights of those in extreme poverty – one child at a time.
My recent trip to Ghyangfedi has been one of the most meaningful and emotional journeys I have taken in the recent years. For me, it was not just about going to Ghyangfedi, it was about coming full circle. I am an “Adara Kid” myself. Growing up in Humla, one of the most remote regions of Nepal, I was given opportunities, education, and support through Adara’s sponsorship. Their work changed the course of my life. Today, I am pursuing my undergraduate degree in Hong Kong, and it is only because of Adara’s light in my childhood that I was able to dream and reach this far.
With this background, going to Ghyangfedi felt deeply personal. Even though Humla and Ghyangfedi are geographically far apart, I immediately felt the connection when I arrived. The mountains, the remoteness, the struggles of daily life, they reminded me so much of my home. But more than the similarities in hardship, I saw the same resilience, the same warmth in the people, and most importantly, the same spark of hope in the eyes of the children.
During my time there, I had the chance to visit different schools and meet many students. I shared my own story with them, how I was once in their place, unsure of what my future would hold, and how through education and support, my life began to change. Many of the older students, especially those joining grade 11, were full of questions. They were confused, uncertain about what to do next. I could see myself in their doubts, because I had felt the same way years ago. The one piece of advice I gave them was simple but true to my heart: Never stop learning, because education is the greatest weapon you will ever have. Knowledge and education have carried me from a remote village in Humla to studying abroad, and I wanted them to know that it could carry them too.
There was one classroom experience that touched me beyond words. I stepped into a Grade One class. I sat with the children and taught them basic addition. Their little faces lit up with curiosity, and I decided to ask them what they wanted to become when they grew up. The answers were filled with dreams, some wanted to be teachers, doctors, pilots, police officers. And then one small boy quietly said, “I want to be happy.” That answer was so pure and powerful that it stayed with me long after I left. It reminded me that while careers and education are important, the deepest dream of every child, of every human being, is the dream of happiness.
Walking through Ghyangfedi, I couldn’t help but reflect on the impact Adara has made not only in Humla, but now here too. In Humla, I have seen firsthand how Adara’s support has transformed lives. From children being able to attend school, to families finding hope, to communities smiling again despite the hardships. Humla’s story is one of second chances, of light breaking through darkness. And now, in Ghyangfedi, I see the same story unfolding.
What moved me most was realising that Adara’s work is not limited to building schools or providing scholarships. It is about nurturing dreams, planting seeds of hope, and giving children the courage to imagine a different future. It is about restoring lives and creating opportunities where there were none. Seeing this same light in Ghyangfedi gave me immense joy.
For me personally, this trip was also a reminder of gratitude. Standing in those classrooms, answering the students’ questions, and sharing my own journey, my sense of responsibility to give back solidified more. I realised how important it is for children to see living proof that their dreams are possible, that someone who once sat in a remote classroom like theirs can go on to achieve more than they imagined.
As I left Ghyangfedi, my heart was full. Full of gratitude for what Adara has done for me and thousands of others. Full of hope for the children I met, who carry beautiful dreams in their eyes. And full of belief that with organisations like Adara, remote places like Humla and Ghyangfedi will continue to be touched by light, opportunity, and love.
This journey was not just about visiting a place. It was about seeing myself in those children, about remembering where I came from, and about realising once again the power of education, support, and hope. Adara gave me a chance to dream and now I see that same chance being given to the children of Ghyangfedi. And that is the most beautiful thing of all.
*Name changed to protect privacy
