HIO Girls Are Creating a Better World

Meet Ganga Thapa Magar - An HIO rising star studying on full scholarship at Asian University for Women in Bangladesh.

Dear Friends,

As we celebrate International Women’s Day, we’re reminded that our world is in desperate need of more women leaders, now more than ever. Contrary to accepted beliefs in many countries, women have immense value beyond marriage, childbearing and domestic duties. To achieve their full potential, girls must be given opportunities to exercise their voices and explore their passions. To see a bit of themselves in strong women role models they encounter. On her way to earning a Bachelor’s degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics, Ganga Thapa Magar is establishing herself as just the kind of leader we need.

Ganga grew up in an underdeveloped district in the western hills of Nepal where most families eke out their living as subsistence farmers. Her mother, Raimati, never had the opportunity to go to school as a girl. Raimati was determined that her two daughters would lead more fulfilling lives beyond the limitations of their village. She made a bold decision to send both of her girls to school early.​

In elementary school, Ganga was creative, curious and expressive. She studied hard, excelled in social studies and history and consistently ranked first in her class. As a fifth grader in 2017, she was invited to attend the highly-esteemed Budhanilkantha School (BNKS) in Kathmandu. With blessings from her family and the loving support of Todd Bliss and Vivian Michaele as her HIO sponsors, Ganga left her home at age 10 to enroll in BNKS as a boarding student.

Ganga, kneeling on the far right, is one of sixteen college-age young women serving as mentors for HIO high schoolers through our Reach for the Stars program. The group actively shares resources and experiences that encourage each girl to achieve her own dreams.

Studying at BNKS deepened Ganga’s love of learning. While continuing to excel in her studies, she took full advantage of all the extra-curricular activities the school offered. She brought her can-do attitude to sports, dance, and cultural programs and led with humility as a class prefect and while tutoring younger classmates. She connected with her family when she could, and relished spending time in her village once per year. When offered an opportunity to serve as an HIO mentor, Ganga jumped at the chance. Everyone is so inspired by Ganga’s collaborative spirit.​

Ganga certainly had all the credentials to pursue a college degree in the U.S., Australia or Canada, as so many of her classmates have done. One in five Nepali students is currently studying abroad. She understood the financial burden this would place on her family, however, and she didn’t want to contribute to “brain drain.” Instead, Ganga made plans to study law in Nepal. With encouragement from her HIO community, she applied to Asian University for Women (AUW) as a Plan B. The school’s focus on developing Asian women to help reshape the world for the better made it feel like the perfect fit. It came as no surprise to us that Ganga was offered a full scholarship.

Binita Gurung, Ganga Magar, Jyoti Kapali and Deepika Devkota use their strong bonds as HIO sisters to help one another shine at AUW.

In reflecting on International Women’s Day, Ganga wrote us this note…

I am always grateful to my family and HIO for being by my side throughout my every journey. After arriving at AUW, I became more aware of my weaknesses. From my English skills to my self-confidence, I realized I had a long way to go. I am striving every day to become a better version of myself. I have met friends with incredible stories — refugees, war survivors, and those who have lost loved ones — yet they continue to push forward to build a better future for themselves and others. Their resilience inspires me in every way.

​Ganga’s first six months at AUW have been a whirlwind of learning and networking. She’s performed in Nepali cultural dances, joined a singing group and touched the ocean for the first time. She’s won athletic awards and participated in academic competitions. Last week, she and a classmate from East Timor earned first prize at the National Economic Policy Competition for their proposal, EquiTea, advocating for fair employment practices for tea workers.

In our monthly Zoom check-ins with HIO’s AUW girls, we joke that Ganga will have a seat in parliament someday. The way she’s going, this could easily be more than a dream. Ganga truly embodies all we could ever hope for. Many thanks to our donors and sponsors for your continued trust in the power of educating girls and women in Nepal. Their every success is a success for us all.

With loving gratitude - Laura and Ricky