From Chachalung to Salleri – Two Sisters on Their Journey Toward a New Future

Two young girls from the remote mountain village of Chachalung in Nepal’s Solukhumbu district have set out on a special path:

When we visited the girls in October and saw the bleak situation at home – one that offered neither opportunities nor freedom of choice for their personal development – we began searching for a chance to provide them with education and a safe place to stay. With the consent of their parents, we started looking for a suitable boarding school.

After several discussions with Karma Sherpa, both girls were admitted in December to the boarding facility run by the organization The Small World in Salleri. This boarding school offers children from isolated regions of Nepal – especially those without family support – access to education, healthcare, and compassionate care.

The sisters come from a family that speaks Kulung – a language spoken by only a few people. Attending school meant not just entering a new environment, but also having to learn a completely unfamiliar language: Nepali. With patience and support, they quickly learned to communicate in their new language – a major step toward living self-determined lives.

For the younger sister, Sikha, the journey was especially challenging: she had been suffering from a tongue-tie – a minor condition easily corrected in Europe, but one that presents a major obstacle in Nepal. Sikha could hardly speak clearly, which severely impacted her ability to participate in school and led to social isolation.

Thanks to close collaboration with Dhulikhel Hospital in Kathmandu, a surgery was scheduled. In January of this year, the operation took place – successfully. For Sikha, this marked a turning point.

We owe our deepest gratitude to Prof. Dr. Ram Shresta and the entire medical team at Dhulikhel Hospital. We also want to sincerely thank the caregivers who supported, strengthened, and cared for Sikha during this sensitive time. (In Nepal, patients in hospitals must be looked after by family members.)

Now, just a few months after the surgery, we’ve received wonderful news: both girls have settled in exceptionally well at their new school. For Sikha, a completely new world of communication has opened up – she now speaks clearly, participates actively in class, and is warmly welcomed by everyone. Her older sister is also thriving – both are studying diligently and with enthusiasm.

The annual cost of €1,500 per girl is covered by the Foundation and the Boys and Girls Fund – a meaningful contribution that not only makes education possible, but also offers real prospects for the future.

This story is a powerful reminder of how much change is possible when people come together – across borders, with heart and commitment.