Yunisha T.

Nisha Tamang, 6 years old, affectionately known as Nishku, began her journey in a remote Himalayan hamlet in Nepal. Born to parents tending to the challenges of subsistence farming, Nisha's early years were painted with the hues of struggle. The Tamang family's pursuit of a better life led them to move to India, leaving the familiar terrain of Nepal behind. They sought refuge in the Indian Himalayan expanse of Ladakh, lured by the promise of employment that construction, brick making, and roadwork held.

Life in Ladakh, however, unfolded as a canvas of extreme hardship for the Tamangs. The family, like many others, engaged in arduous labor for meager wages, navigating the unforgiving terrain and climatic adversities. Nisha's mother, Reshma, harbored deep concerns for her daughter. In a community where labor is a way of life, children often find themselves at the mercy of exploitation and neglect. Education, healthcare, basic necessities becomes a distant dream. That was when Reshma came to Amrita-Seattle and Nisha found herself in the embrace of Amrita-Seattle's Home of the Snow Lion, a residential haven for at-risk girl child. Nisha emerged as a beacon of hope. With the help of Amrita-Seattle, she was enrolled at the reputed Lamdon Model Sr. Sec School. A healthy and bright child, she radiated energy and curiosity, eager to explore the world and absorb its lessons.

Nisha's growth and exuberance inspired a remarkable turn of events. Witnessing her daughter's zest for life prompted Reshma to revisit her own dreams. A teenage mother in Nepal, Reshma had abandoned her education after the 7th grade. Now, fueled by Nisha's vitality, she embraced the opportunity to rekindle her academic journey. With unwavering determination, Reshma immersed herself in daily studies with Amrita's educators. The prospect of earning her GED diploma(s) for the 10th and 12th grades beckoned, promising a chance to rewrite the narrative of her own life.