My past does not define my future.
Childhood should be a time of learning, playing, and dreaming, not survival. Yet for many children, reality tells a different story. Behind the phrase “child labor” are young lives forced to grow up too soon, carrying responsibilities that do not belong to them.
Pratikshya, 16 years old from Nepal, is one of these children.
Because of her family’s economic difficulties, she was forced to leave school and work despite her young age. While other children attend classes and play with friends, she found herself working in a bar, a dangerous environment completely unsuitable for a child. Too young to fully understand the risks she was exposed to, she faced multiple forms of vulnerability and was deprived of her basic rights.
Yet even in these harsh conditions, Pratikshya never lost hope.
She continued to dream of returning to school, believing that education was her path toward a better future and a way to rebuild her confidence and self-worth.
Through the Children Not Workers program, GSIF e Opportunity Village Nepal work to ensure that every child receives the support, care, and opportunities they need to enjoy a safe and fulfilling childhood. By joining the project, Pratikshya was able to find a safe space where she could finally be heard, supported, and guided without judgment. Through counseling sessions and continuous accompaniment, Pratikshya slowly began to regain her confidence. She was reminded that her past does not define her future, and that she is not alone in her journey.
Today, this support allows her to refocus on her education, believe in her abilities, and imagine a different future for herself.
Through this kind of intervention, children are not only protected, they regain their dignity, their rights, and the chance to simply be children again. These spaces teach them how to care for themselves, understand their rights, and feel safe in a nurturing environment.
Because no child should ever be forced to grow up too soon.
I feel safer, happier and more positive than before. Education gives me confidence and motivation to move forward.
