Success stories

Where are they now?

At New Futures Nepal we are determined to provide the resources needed for all the children we support to live fulfilling lives and gain independence.  We are continually humbled and inspired by the resilience, determination, and aspirations of these children and young adults.

Over the years we have had the privilege of witnessing over 40 of the young adults from both Hornbeam House and the Hope Centre begin higher/further education and/or move on to live independent adult lives (a total of 28 now living independently).

Here is a snap-shot of ‘Where They Are Now’ for some of these young adults along with some first-hand testimonials from individuals looking back at how the Hope Centre helped them.

• Para-athlete/travel blogger: 1 (Nepal Inspirational Woman of the Year 2019, Travel Nepal Award 2019).

• Married: 4

• Returned to village: 4

• Priesthood: 1

• Dress-maker: 1

• Business Studies course: 8

• Engineering/computers: 2

• Nursing: 5 (2 working and 3 studying)

• Pharmacist/Pharmacy Assistant: 2

• Lab Assistant: 3 (2 practicing and 1 studying)

• Hospitality: 8 (including those who have relocated to the Middle East)

• Teaching: 1

Kabita, studying Business at college:

“I have only one hand which made me differently-abled person.  I had to face many challenges and difficulties in my childhood days than other child(ren).  But I never give up after getting the helping hands from New Futures Nepal and Hope Centre.  It was so convenient to pass all those obstacles.”

Sara, Lab Technician placement at local health clinic:

“I have been living in Hope Centre since childhood.  Hope Centre never let me feel lonely because here I am having many brothers and sisters who made my childhood days memorable....I have successfully passed 3 years course in 2020 and currently I am joining the course-related job in my own locality’s clinic.”

Mamita, Pharmacy Technician:

“I am of those lucky child(ren) who has grown under the roof of Hope Centre.  I am doing job in Pharmacy, which I am very proud (of)....What I am today is only because of Hope Centre and New Futures Nepal.”

Nirmala’s story

Meet the wonderful Nirmala Bhandari.

Nirmala joined the Hope Centre at the age of 9 and grew up to be a senior role-model to the children around her.

Upon leaving the Hope Centre, Nirmala worked at a medical centre.  Initially daunted by the new world around her, she developed her life skills and began to flourish.

Through contacts at the medical centre and networking, Nirmala then went on to enter the world of para-sport, competing in both wheelchair basketball and para-powerlifting, and progressing from national championships to the Para-Asian Games.

Nirmala now dedicates her time to promoting disability awareness and independence for those in a similar position to herself.  She speaks frequently about disability awareness on the morning tv show Matka Central on AP1TV (a tv channel based in Kathmandu) and following catching the travel bug on a solo travel challenge across Nepal in 2019, recently returned from America where she took part in the U.S. Department of State’s Global Sports Mentoring Program. 

In 2019, Nirmala was named one of 20 ‘Inspirational Women of Nepal’ in conjunction with International Women’s Day, and crowned Miss. Disability Queen Nepal in 2024. Two hugely proud moments for both Nirmala and the charity.

Nirmala is passionate about equipping children growing up in a similar position to her with the skills to prepare them to live independently outside of care.  She is also keen for these individuals to be given the opportunity to connect with the communities around them and broaden their horizons through travel and sport.

Her current ambitions are to utilise her skills and experience to promote diversity and inclusion in sport, travel, and in the general community.

Suman’s story

Having qualified as an architectural engineer and set up his own construction business, Suman Shreshta (26 and recently married) is at the top of his game.

Life hasn’t always been this good for Suman however, he was orphaned when he was 8, his parents having been tragically killed in a car accident. Fortunately for Suman however, he was taken in and embraced by the Hope Centre family in Kathmandu, where he spent his formative years.

Suman has achieved so much in his life through shear hard work and determination but he is the first to acknowledge that he couldn’t have done any of it without the kind support and love he has received from New Futures Nepal and his amazing new family.

Suman’s business interests are still local to Kathmandu, albeit he is currently working in Australia on secondment. There is no doubt that Suman will go on to have an extremely successful and influential career, which may well take him away from his beloved Kathmandu but he is rooted there and his extended Hope Centre family will always be very much in his heart.

Suman will be overseeing our new supported-living building project located in the grounds of the Hope Centre. Read more

New Futures Nepal Awards and Accolades