Being recognized as the Counselor of the Year is an honor I receive with deep gratitude and humility. More than a personal achievement, this recognition represents a journey of learning, service, and growth made possible through ECCA Nepal. In ECCA, volunteers are known as Counselors, and becoming one was far more than taking on a volunteer role—it was an opportunity to challenge myself, apply the knowledge I had gained through my studies, develop professionally, and make a meaningful contribution to society. Looking back, I realize that ECCA gave me far more than I had hoped for. It taught me that true service is not only about offering support, but also about listening with empathy, learning with humility, and walking alongside communities in their journey toward positive change.

My first experience as an ECCA Counselor was during the Refresher Camp on Early Childhood Development (ECD) and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in Chitwan. Watching teachers from different project schools eagerly learn and discuss ways to improve their classrooms made me realize how one training session can create a ripple effect, reaching hundreds of children. Soon after, I had the opportunity to work in ECCA's “Healthy Children, Healthy Communities” project in Ward No. 2, Benighat Rorang Rural Municiplaity, Dhading where I worked with the Chepang community. I met children whose curiosity and dreams inspired me, and parents whose hope for a better future reminded me why community work matters. As my journey continued, I also contributed to programs under the Taksvärkki supported project in eastern Nepal, supported activities in Kathmandu, and assisted in the distribution of Improved Cookstoves (ICS). Working with children, youth, teachers, parents, and community members across different parts of Nepal broadened my perspective and showed me that while every community faces different challenges, they all share the same aspiration for healthier, safer, and more sustainable lives.

Among the many experiences that shaped me, working with communities in villages like Maskharka left the deepest impression. Witnessing families walk long distances to collect water made me realize that something many of us consider ordinary remains a daily struggle for others. These experiences strengthened my commitment to promoting Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), environmental sustainability, and community well-being. What made these experiences even more meaningful was the unique approach of ECCA. As Counselors, we do not simply visit communities, we become part of them, even if only for a short time. We stay in the villages, share meals with local families, walk the same trails, and experience their daily lives. Living alongside the community helped me understand that meaningful development is built on trust, respect, and genuine partnership. It reminded me that while we visit communities to share knowledge, we often return having learned even more from their resilience, generosity, and determination.

Perhaps the greatest change was the one I discovered within myself. Before joining ECCA, I was a very shy person who often hesitated to speak or share my ideas. Today, I confidently facilitate training sessions, coordinate community activities, and communicate with people from diverse backgrounds. Along this journey, I have developed leadership, communication, teamwork, facilitation, adaptability, and problem-solving skills, but more importantly, I have learned to believe in myself. Receiving the Counselor of the Year title is therefore much more than receiving an award. It represents the encouragement of my mentors, the dedication of my fellow Counselors, and the trust of every community that welcomed me with open hearts. This recognition reminds me that the true value of volunteering is not measured by the titles we receive, but by the lives we touch, the lessons we learn, and the positive change we create together.