Meet Sirjana Bishwakarma from Isma Rural Municipality–05, Gulmi, a young woman whose journey reflects courage, resilience, and an unshaken belief in education despite deep social and financial struggles.
Coming from a rural agricultural family of four sisters, Sirjana grew up in an environment where poverty and gender discrimination were part of everyday life. After her parents’ separation, her father became the sole caregiver and supporter of the family. Working as a farmer with a very limited income, he carried the responsibility of raising all four daughters alone, even when society questioned his decision and pressured him for not having a son.
Sirjana faced discrimination from an early age simply for being a girl. As the eldest daughter, she often heard people say that educating four daughters was unnecessary and that her future should be limited to marriage and household responsibilities. However, her father strongly rejected these ideas and continuously encouraged her to pursue education, teaching her that independence comes only through learning.
Her life has been shaped by struggle and determination. Despite studying in government schools with limited resources, she remained focused and achieved a GPA of 3.20 in SEE. Through her father’s sacrifices, she continued her education in Butwal, where she completed Grade 11 with 3.46 and Grade 12 with 3.71, along with a basic computer course. These achievements stand as proof of her persistence against poverty and societal pressure.
After Grade 12, continuing higher education became extremely difficult due to her father’s limited annual income of around NPR 150,000, which was barely enough to support the household and her younger sisters’ education. At times, she even considered stopping her studies to support her family financially, while also facing increasing pressure from society to settle early in life.
During this challenging phase, she learned about a scholarship opportunity through a friend. With her father’s encouragement and her own determination, she applied, holding onto the hope that it could change her future.
Today, Sirjana is pursuing a Bachelor in Business Studies (BBS) at Butwal Kalika Campus. Her dream is to become a banking professional who can support financial inclusion, guide people in managing their money, and serve as a role model for girls from marginalized communities.
For Sirjana, this scholarship represents more than financial assistance—it is recognition of her struggles, her father’s sacrifices, and her determination to rise above social barriers. It has given her renewed hope to continue her education, support her sisters, and move closer to her dream of becoming financially independent and socially impactful.
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