In Their Own Voices: The Writers of the Himalayan Hope Home – Volume 2

The Himalayan Hope Home in Kathmandu was founded as a place of refuge and support for at-risk girls from underprivileged communities in remote Nepal. Some of the girls at HHH are exploring the written word, in English, as a form of expression. These essays are windows into their lives.

Last month we shared the first of several essays by resident girls at HHH. We’ll be sharing many more essays in the months to come. This April, enjoy the words of Krishma Sundas below – in her own words.

I Am Happy Now

By Krishma, Grade 7

My name is Krishma. When I was very young, I could pronounce nothing more than Krish, so I became known to my relatives by the name Krish. I grew up with my father in a small remote village called Taksindu. I used to work in the field which was very difficult for me. I also had to wash all my clothes. I worked very hard there.

My mother left me with my father when I was just seven years old and went for her own happiness. I do not want to remember her; I never miss her because she left me, and I didn’t get any love from her. Thinking about this used to make me feel very bad, but now I am not that way. I am okay without mom. I found another family with so many sisters who love me very much. I feel very lucky to have this family.

When I was 10 years old, an organization offered me a chance to come Kathmandu for my studies. I was very excited, but when I reached Kathmandu I felt nervous because all the new people were there. I saw many people my age. They seemed happy, but I was sad. When I went to school the first day a teacher came and spoke to me. English language was very new for me, and again I had no idea what to do. A friend from Hope Home told the teacher all about me. Later, all the children became friendly to me, and I also became happy.

Hope Home is not only a home like other people see from outside. For me, it is another world where I found my happiness. I have the life I used to wish for. I do not have to work here, and I am going school, playing games at home, practicing dance, watching TV with friends, visiting new places, and going shopping. This makes me very happy.

Here we understand each other very well. If someone gets sad we will all be there to make her happy. We share everything, even sadness. We celebrate all the festivals together, and I feel like all my friends are my own family. People from outside sometimes ask us if we are from the same family. We reply, yes, we are from different mothers but same family. The thing I like very much here is taking care of each other.

This home is a very precious gift for us. Now I am 14 and I understand so many things about life: why we are here, what we have to do, and what is the importance of our family life. I am very happy here, dreaming to fulfill my goals every day, and I see the other sisters are also very happy here. I love my Hope Home and my sisters.

I want to be a good actress in my future.