From the Streets of Lalitpur to the World Stage: Saurav Acharya’s Inspiring Journey
Street Child United (SCU) is proud to announce that former participant and Young Leader, Saurav Acharya from Nepal, will co-host a series of assemblies reaching thousands of students worldwide through our partner, the International Schools Partnership (ISP). This initiative will serve as an opportunity for Saurav to share his incredible journey—one that began on the streets of Lalitpur and led him to represent his country in both our football and cricket World Cups.
Saurav’s Story: A Journey of Resilience and Hope
“My name is Saurav Acharya. I am 18 years old, and I come from Bandipur, Tanahun. At the age of two, I joined Life Vision Academy through the Children and Youth First (CYF) organisation. Thanks to CYF, my childhood was filled with learning opportunities, happiness, good friends, great memories, and a supportive family.”
Saurav’s early life was marked by hardship. Losing his father at just two years old, his mother struggled to provide for him and his brother while facing mistreatment from their paternal grandparents. In search of a better life, his mother moved them to Kathmandu, taking up domestic work to support her children. However, financial difficulties and malnutrition threatened their well-being.
Thankfully, CYF stepped in to provide Saurav with education and shelter, changing the course of his life. “Since 2009, CYF has been my home, supporting my education and giving me opportunities I never imagined possible,” Saurav shares.
Today, he is in grade 12 and works at his school’s bakery—a role he enjoys. His dream is to become a businessman and to support other children in need, just as he was helped.
From Nepal to the Global Arena
Saurav’s journey took a remarkable turn when he was given the opportunity to travel internationally through sports. In 2022, he and his CYF teammates represented Nepal in the Street Child World Cup in Qatar—his first-ever time on an international flight. In 2024, he participated in the Street Child Cricket World Cup in Chennai, India.
Saurav’s leadership skills earned him the title of Young Leader with Street Child United, and now he is using his platform to inspire others.
“I am still working hard to become the man I aspire to be. Facing challenges head-on, I am striving to achieve my goals and secure a better future. I am deeply grateful to CYF and all my supporters who have shaped my journey.”
Inspiring the Next Generation
Over 40 ISP schools have joined this awareness-raising campaign, aiming to educate privileged students about the challenges faced by young people like Saurav. Through virtual assemblies, Street Child United and ISP will launch a series of engaging activities, including:
Pairing ISP schools with our teams worldwide to foster meaningful connections.
A flag design challenge, where students will express solidarity through art.
Workshops focused on our campaigning pillars to deepen students’ understanding.
A fundraising movie night featuring our latest film, showcasing the resilience and dreams of street-connected children.
By sharing his story, Saurav hopes to inspire a generation of young people to stand in solidarity with street-connected children worldwide. His journey is a testament to the power of opportunity, support, and determination in overcoming adversity.
