Project Report
| May 12, 2025
From Nepalese Brick Factory to London Marathon
By Asma B.K. | Beneficiary
![Training in Kathmandu]()
Training in Kathmandu
My name is Asma. I grew up as one of six children in Nepal. After losing our mother when I was ten, life with my father and stepmother became difficult. My older sister left for Kathmandu at fourteen to find work.
At eleven, influenced by friends, I ran away from home hoping for something better.
Instead, I ended up working at a brick factory. My sister found me and brought me to work with her at a guesthouse, where things were only slightly better. I worked long hours for very little pay. I wanted an education, but it wasn’t possible. I saw the owner's children go to school each day, and I began teaching myself to read and write using their old schoolbooks after my shifts ended.
I worked at the guesthouse for four years until Child Rescue Nepal rescued me in January 2019. At sixteen, I finally received some informal education before enrolling in school at grade five. During this time, I discovered running. I joined a running course and found I had an aptitude for trail marathons. I've participated in many races in the Himalayas and have won many medals. My longest race was 160 kilometres, which took me 39 hours to complete. This has earned me recognition and some prize money.
At nineteen, I moved into Child Rescue Nepal’s halfway house in Kathmandu. There I learned many practical skills like cooking, budgeting and assertiveness, while living alongside others with similar backgrounds.
My siblings have found their own paths – my eldest sister works abroad, two siblings are with another organisation, and two live with relatives. We're all doing well now. I was desperate to join the Nepalese army, but I wasn’t tall enough. However recently my dreams have come true as I have been accepted into the armed police force.
I was amazed when Child Rescue Nepal offered me a place in the London Marathon and invited me to the UK. It was a dream come true to compete internationally and to leave Nepal for the first time.I'd never seen the sea, as Nepal is landlocked.
The day of the London marathon was incredible. The atmosphere and support of the crowds was like nothing I'd ever experienced. It was a very hot day and I finished in 3 hours 37 minutes. I had hoped to do better but I was still happy with my time.
Seeing the UK and meeting supporters has been a dream come true. I was raising money so that other children like me can have another chance at life. Thank you for your generous support.
![Seeing the sea for the first time]()
Seeing the sea for the first time
![Running the London Marathon]()
Running the London Marathon
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