Devaki was not even 2 years old when her 24-year-old father died from a brain-related health issue. Her mother raised her while working a low-wage job. When Devaki became an ANSWER-sponsored student in the 8th grade, her mother was earning less than $600 a year. They lived in a very old mud house in Bhaktapur (part of the Kathmandu valley), which is the smallest city of Nepal but the most densely populated. Despite her disadvantages, Devaki was a hard-working student who enjoyed social studies and playing table tennis and football (soccer). At that time, she thought she might like to become a nurse or a teacher.

Devaki continued to apply herself in school, graduating from high school in 2015 and then earning a Bachelor’s degree in Physiotherapy from Kathmandu University in 2020. She obtained her first job as a physiotherapist immediately after she graduated.

And now, as a 26-year-old, Devaki continues as a successful physiotherapist at B&B Hospital in Lalitpur (also part of the Kathmandu valley). She earns a living wage and no longer lives in poverty. She is also recently married (October 2024) and shares a comfortable home with her husband and in-laws. Her mother works as a caregiver for SOS Children’s Village, which supports children and young people without parental care, or at risk of losing it. Her mother lives close by and they see each other often.

Devaki is very grateful to ANSWER and her ANSWER sponsor, Rosamond Vaughan, who supported her education and made her success story possible.