12th September 2022, Kathmandu
This is the story of sheer determination, dreams, and the strength of a young girl, who regardless of all the odds against her, proved that one can achieve anything if one believes in themselves. This is the story of Manisha Singh and her struggles.
Manisha was a second child born from a poor family in Kalikot. She has two sisters. Her father left them to fend for themselves because, in his own words, her mother could not give him a son. At a young age, instead of studying like other children, Manisha worked with her mother on farms, selling fruit at the station and helping with household work for others.
The mother struggled to make ends meet. With no source of income and children to feed, the daughters were sent away to children’s homes. Treated no less than a commodity, things took a turn for the worse.
The condition of the orphanage was poor and ill-managed. The children were not provided proper food, clean clothes, medical care, or any other necessities. The living environment was unsafe, unhealthy, and toxic. Many children were found to be hungry, physically sick, and exposed to the risk of growth retardation due to nutrition deficiency and poor diet.
Two British Nationals, Mr. Matthew William Hurley and his wife Mrs. Louisa Janecame to the country after the earthquake in 2015 actively providing aid and support through various charities. They came with their two sons.
The earthquake devastated families. Children were displaced and moved to orphanages and children’s homes. This is where the Hurley Family found Manisha and her sisters and opened the Dusty Yak Foundation to support the children of Nepal (Dusty Yak – Supporting children in Nepal, The Dusty Yak Foundation | Facebook)
The Hurleys have volunteered as a family running the Dusty Yak in Budanilkantha. The foundation is well-equipped and maintained. All the girls were enrolled in English medium schools, have been provided with shelter, food, education, love, and care. For 6 years, the girls found a family who nurtured, cared for, and loved them. At Dusty Yak Society, Manisha finally found her calling.
At school, she consistently excelled in academics as well as performed well in extracurricular activities. She turned out to do very well in football, marathon, basketball, singing, and dancing. At the foundation, she seamlessly filled in the role of big sister to the rest of the girls.
Considering the hardship and struggles she faced in her early childhood, Manisha has continuously expressed her interest to be a lawyer so that she can fight against the social injustice and inequality she and her sisters had to face in life.
She aspires to help other children and women. It was evident that Manisha was extraordinary. Mr. and Mrs. Hurley admired her determination and encouraged her to apply for a scholarship to Aiglon School in Switzerland which is one of the most prestigious schools in the world.
The journey to Aiglon School was not easy. Aiglon has a very stern selection process. The application process took months to complete.
The first stage of selection was assessment and interview, for which she prepared continuously day and night with her teachers, the Hurleys, and UK tutors who all gave their time to help Manisha achieve her dreams. Once the interviews were completed, she had to go through an English Proficiency test, General ability/IQ test, and Mathematics test.
The final and most important criteria based on which her selection was to be determined was her letter of motivation for her to apply to Aiglon school (see attached)
She has achieved as much and more than any other child in the world. She is a child of Nepal and her success should be celebrated.
Manisha’s journey to her new education was scarred by the illegal actions of some authorities in Nepal. Despite all paperwork being provided by the Switzerland consulate and sent to the Nepalese authorities in advance, and hard copies being provided to Immigration, somehow she was denied the right to leave the country on two separate occasions.
The Hurley family faced terrible difficulties and was detained without reason. With the help of her birth mother, the Dusty Yak Society in Nepal and the intervention of the Nepal Government, this shining star of Nepal has been allowed to fulfill her dreams and carry our proud nation’s flag abroad, showing what the Nepalese children of Nepal can achieve.
We must make sure that the international community, NGOs, and Charities are protected from the wrongdoings of the few who act illegally in authority.
We must make sure that the rights of our children and citizens to travel and be educated are protected. We ask that the Nepal Government punishes the evil few who act without integrity and threaten the well-being of our children and citizens.
Ultimately we must cherish and congratulate Manisha on this amazing achievement.
The story of Manisha Singh is inspiring for thousands of young women in Nepal. One can only guess the bring future that awaits the starry-eyed Singh.