Student Spotlight: Pinky Lama – Learning, Growing, and Dreaming in the Himalayan Foothills
At 8,000 feet above sea level, the air is thin in Nepal’s Helambu Region—but the sense of hope and possibility among the students there feels boundless. On a gray October morning, the Tsering’s Fund team had the joy of meeting Pinky Lama. With an energetic smile and bright eyes, Pinky shared her story from the playground of her award-winning public school—one of several supported by Tsering’s Fund and its global community of donors.
Now 18 years old and in grade 11, Pinky is nearing the end of her time at the school. Her home village is just an hour and a half’s walk down the mountain—a steep climb she has made countless times in pursuit of her education. “This school is close to my home and gives me a good education,” she explained. “It also provides a safe environment, and that’s important because I stay in the girls’ hostel here.”
Two students work diligently during class, reflecting the joy and determination of young learners empowered through access to quality education.
Pinky takes her studies seriously, and she especially appreciates how her teachers make learning practical and engaging. “They give us real-life education,” she said. “We have to try to solve problems on our own, but if we face a challenge, they are always there to help us find the answers.”
When she’s not studying, Pinky loves playing football (soccer) and is proud to play forward on her school’s team. She also enjoys singing and dancing—activities that bring her joy and balance amidst her busy school days.
At home, Pinky’s parents work hard to support their family. Her father is a farmer, and her mother manages their home in the village below. “It’s fun that the school sometimes buys the vegetables and potatoes that my family sells,” she said with a grin. “I was studying at a smaller school before, and my parents are glad I’m getting my education here now.”
As for the future, Pinky is still dreaming and exploring her possibilities. “It’s hard to know, but maybe I’ll get to see a foreign country someday,” she said thoughtfully. “I love school and learning, so I think I’ll continue my studies. For jobs? I would like to be a beautician!”
Pinky has been supported by her Tsering’s Fund sponsor since grade six—a relationship that has made all the difference in her life. With steady support for her school fees, supplies, and hostel stay, she has been able to focus on learning, growing, and dreaming big.
When asked what she would like to say to her sponsor, her response was full of gratitude and warmth:
“I would want to say thank you! I’ve been here since grade six, and now I’m in grade eleven, so I have so many good memories I would like to share with her. I really love this place and I want her to know that.”
Because of sponsors like Pinky’s, bright young students in Nepal’s mountain villages have access to safe housing, quality education, and caring teachers who believe in their potential. Each sponsorship helps transform not just one student’s life—but an entire community’s future.