By Priscilla Chung

In the busy classrooms of the Asha Vidhyashram School in Nepal, one voice is often heard above the rest. It belongs to 8-year-old Aayush Pariyar, a bright and talented boy. 

Aayush was born in Chanakaladoli, Mugu, a very remote district in Nepal, where opportunities are scarce. His family’s story reflects the deep challenges many children face in rural Nepal, where limited access to education can affect whole generations.

Reaching the most marginalised children 

Aayush’s mother was married at just 13 years old, and today, his grandmother is only 35. At one point, Aayush was living with 10 family members in a temporary shelter, surviving day to day with very little to spare. At the beginning of each academic year, a team from HOPE worldwide Nepal conducts family surveys, visiting homes of children who are the most marginalised to tell them about the school and offer them additional support.

“At HOPE, we know that helping a child means helping the whole family. We are working closely with Aayush’s parents to teach them about sanitation and family planning so they can stay healthy and stable. We also provide food supplies during the most difficult times to ensure no child in the family goes hungry,” says Diwas Rathod, programme manager for the Asha Vidhyashram School.

A turning point through education 

During these visits, the team discovered that Aayush and his siblings were not attending school. When Aayush joined the Asha Vidhyashram School, his life began to change. The school gave him more than lessons in the classroom; it gave him a place to belong, enjoy nutritious warm meals, and a library where he’s immersed in a world of stories. He now loves coming to school, and he has become one of the most enthusiastic students in his class. Despite starting school three years late, his hard work is already showing by recently coming second in class.

Aayush is also a talented singer and often performs for his friends. But behind his gentle voice lives a strong determination. He wants to become an Army Officer one day, which is a stable and highly respected job in Nepal.

A new beginning in Kathmandu 

But this story is not just about Aayush. It is about his whole family. While Aayush studies, his father works hard as a house constructor. Aayush’s family has now moved to a temporary room in Balaju, Kathmandu, allowing him to walk just 15 minutes to school.

Thanks to the Asha Vidhyashram School, Aayush no longer misses out on school because he didn’t have the opportunity to attend. He eagerly pursues his education day after day, knowing that every lesson will lead him closer to his goals.

Just £10 can help provide a healthy lunch and basic study materials for students at the Asha Vidhyashram School, helping more children have access to the education they deserve.

Give today to support HOPE worldwide Nepal and help provide education to children in Kathmandu. Just click “Asha Vidhyashram School (Kathmandu)” in the dropdown menu.