As the world turns its attention to soccer this June, stadiums will fill, fans will gather, and millions will cheer for their favorite teams during the excitement of the World Cup.
For most people, soccer is entertainment.
For Prakash, soccer is something much more.
It is discipline. It is hope. It is a reminder that your past does not have to determine your future.
A Childhood Marked by Loss
Prakash’s story began in Nepal under circumstances no child should have to endure.
His parents passed away when he was still a baby. Too young to understand what he had lost, he entered life already facing profound hardship. For a time, he was raised by his older brother, who eventually placed him in a Buddhist monastery.
What should have been a place of safety became a place of pain.
Instead of receiving the care and protection every child deserves, Prakash experienced mistreatment during some of the most formative years of his life. By the time he entered our partner program at seven years old, he had already endured more loss and hardship than many people face in a lifetime.
Yet his story was far from over.
Finding Safety, Stability, and Belonging
When Prakash entered the program, he was still a little boy in need of something simple yet powerful: stability.
He needed consistent meals, a safe environment, access to education, and adults who believed in his worth.
Through the faithful work of WalkWithMe.global’s local partners in Nepal, Prakash received the support he needed during a critical season of life. He was provided with food, medical care, education, mentoring, trauma-informed support, and the opportunity to simply be a child again.
Slowly, healing began to take place.
He went to school. He built friendships. He discovered his strengths. Most importantly, he learned what it felt like to belong.
Year after year, that foundation helped him grow into a confident and capable young man.
A Remarkable Milestone
Today, Prakash has completed 12th grade.
While that sentence may seem ordinary, it represents something extraordinary.
For a child who began life facing immense loss, graduating from high school is the result of years of perseverance, encouragement, and consistent support from people who refused to give up on him.
Teachers describe him as kind, respectful, and hardworking. Friends enjoy being around him. He is the kind of young man who leaves a positive impact wherever he goes.
And he has another gift that has become a major part of his journey.
Soccer.
Chasing a Dream
Prakash does not simply play soccer when he has free time.
He trains.
Every chance he gets, he is running, practicing, strengthening his body, improving his skills, and preparing for opportunities that once seemed impossible.
His dedication has led him to an exciting milestone: he is currently training for a tryout with Nepal’s U18 National Team.
Think about that journey for a moment.
A boy who entered care at seven years old after experiencing profound loss and hardship is now preparing to compete for a place on his country’s youth national team.
That transformation did not happen overnight.
It was built through years of faithful support, intentional care, and the determination of a young man who refused to let his circumstances define him.
Why Stories Like This Matter
At WalkWithMe.global, we believe lasting change happens when local communities are empowered to lead their own transformation.
Many organizations deliver aid. Our approach is different.
We come alongside trusted local leaders who already understand the children, families, cultures, and challenges within their communities. Together, we strengthen the programs they are leading so vulnerable children can move beyond survival and begin imagining a future filled with possibility.
Prakash’s story is one example of what can happen when children are given the support they need to thrive.
Because of that support, he was able to heal from trauma, complete his education, discover his talents, and pursue goals that once felt far beyond reach.
More Than a Soccer Tryout
We do not know what will happen when Prakash steps onto the field for his national team tryout.
Perhaps he will earn a place on the roster.
Perhaps his journey will take a different path.
But regardless of the outcome, he has already achieved something remarkable.
He has overcome tremendous obstacles. He has remained committed to his goals. He has developed his talents. And he has proven that a difficult beginning does not have to determine the rest of a person’s story.
That is worth celebrating.
Walking Together Toward Possibility
Children need more than survival.
They need safety.
They need nourishment.
They need education.
They need trusted adults who believe in them.
Most importantly, they need the opportunity to discover their gifts and pursue the future they were created for.
Transformation rarely happens in a single dramatic moment. More often, it is the result of years of faithful care, consistent encouragement, and people willing to keep walking alongside a child through every season of life.
Thank you for helping make stories like Prakash’s possible.
Together, we are helping children move from survival to possibility—and toward futures worth pursuing.
Join Us
Help us continue walking with children like Prakash.
Their future is worth investing in.
