Some dreams begin with privilege. Others begin with nothing but courage, determination, and the belief that life can become something greater.
But what does it take to turn a dream into reality when the odds seem impossible? Is it ambition? Perseverance? The kindness of strangers? Or simply the courage to believe in something long before anyone else can see it?
Sometimes, the most extraordinary journeys begin with the simplest of questions. And sometimes, a single encounter can change the course of a life, setting in motion something far greater than anyone could have imagined.
In this exclusive conversation with our CEO, Jad Kamel, Durba Giri, founder of Sapana Village in Nepal, shares his remarkable journey of dreams, trust, and determination, reminding us that the true measure of success is not simply how far we rise, but how many lives we uplift along the way.
Because some dreams are never meant to belong to one person alone.
You were born and raised in Chitwan, Nepal. What was life like growing up, and how different was the region from what we see today?
Durba Giri: I was born here in Chitwan, at a time when tourism was very limited. There were hardly any hotels, and the area was surrounded by jungle.
I remember that by five or five-thirty in the evening, our parents would tell us to stay inside because there were wild animals, including rhinos and tigers, roaming around.
That was how we grew up. We never imagined that Sauraha would become the tourism destination it is today. The development of tourism around the national park changed everything.
My family came from a farming background, so working in tourism was not something I had originally planned. Life simply took me in that direction.
Your hospitality journey began at a very young age. What led you to leave school and start working?
Durba Giri: I was not a very good student. Our teachers gave us a lot of homework, and when we did not complete it properly, we were punished. I remember being beaten with a stick because my homework was not good enough.
Eventually, I decided that studying was not for me, and I wanted to work instead.
I started working as a waiter in a restaurant when I was fourteen years old. That was where I began learning English, slowly improving step by step.
I did not know it at the time, but that experience would eventually change my life.
At nineteen, an unexpected encounter with visitors from the Netherlands became a turning point in your life. Can you tell us what happened?
Durba Giri: I was working in the restaurant, serving food, when I met some people from the Netherlands.
I still do not know what they saw in me, but they said, “Hey man, you look so smart. What is your dream? Do you have a dream in your life?”
I told them, “I have a big dream.”
They asked me to tell them about it, and I said, “One day, I want to own a hotel, and whatever money I earn, I want to build a school in Nepal.”
That was my dream.
They told me it was a strong dream and asked why I did not start working toward it.
I explained that I did not have the money, but I believed that one day I would make it happen.
They asked how much I needed to begin, and I told them.
I never imagined that this conversation would lead to something so important.
Those visitors eventually helped you financially. What did that gesture mean to you, and how did it influence your future?
Durba Giri: When they returned to the Netherlands, I did not expect anything.
But nine months later, I received a letter. They told me they had collected money and wanted to help me follow my dream.
I could not believe it.
I went to the bank, opened an account, and sent them my details. And they really sent the money.
But what I remember most is what they told me.
They said, “We are not rich people. We collected this money from friends and family. We trust you.”
They explained that I could spend the money on other things or use it to follow my dream.
That trust meant so much to me.
From that moment, I decided to follow my dream.
That dream eventually became Sapana Village. How did you transform an empty piece of land into what it is today?
Durba Giri: Sapana means “dream.”
I bought a piece of land, and there was nothing here. It was completely empty.
But I had a dream, and I wanted to build it.
That is why I called it Sapana Village. I wanted to create a beautiful village, something that reflected what I had imagined.
I did not hire an architect or a designer to create the buildings.
Before starting construction, I would put sand on a table and make small models of houses using pieces of wood. Then I would invite a local builder, show him what I wanted, and explain how I imagined it.
Step by step, we built it.
People did not always understand what I was trying to do, but I could see it in my mind.
That was how Sapana Village began.
You often speak about the importance of believing in yourself. What has your journey taught you about dreams, honesty, and perseverance?
Durba Giri: In life, you always need to ask. When you ask, the universe will listen.
I believe that if you are truly honest and believe in what you are doing, that is very important.
You also have to trust yourself.
If you are always doubting, if you do not believe in yourself, or if you are confused about what you want, it becomes difficult to move forward.
You need to have a clear picture of what you want to achieve.
And sooner or later, you will get there.
That is what happened to me.
I have also been fortunate to meet very good people throughout my life. People who believed in me, supported me, and helped me along the way.
Your original dream was not only to own a hotel but also to build a school. How did that ambition evolve into the Sapana Village Social Impact Foundation?
Durba Giri: My dream was never only about having a hotel.
After developing Sapana Village, I started the Sapana Village Social Impact Foundation.
Through the foundation, we are involved in many different projects that support people in our communities.
Today, we have Sapana School, which fulfills the dream I had when I was nineteen.
We also have a women’s skill development project, where women learn to make handicrafts, candles, and other products.
We support people who want to start their own businesses through microfinance.
We guide them, provide financial support, and they gradually repay the money so it can continue helping others.
We also work with Chepang communities, where many families face difficult living conditions.
We have helped build schools, improve access to drinking water, support agriculture, and create income-generating opportunities.
We do many different things, but the purpose is always to help people improve their lives.
How do you sustain these community initiatives, and what role do international partnerships play in supporting the foundation?
Durba Giri: The lodge helps finance our projects, but we also receive support from international friends.
Over the years, I have developed friendships with people from the Netherlands and other countries who believe in our work.
They see what we are doing through the foundation, and sometimes they want to contribute.
They trust us to use their support where it is most needed.
For me, that trust is very important.
It is similar to what happened when I was young. People believed in my dream, and now that support is helping us create opportunities for others.
Building something from nothing requires vision, especially when others cannot see what you see. Did you ever face doubts or criticism along the way?
Durba Giri: Of course.
When I first came here and started building, people thought I was crazy.
They would say, “Sauraha is over there. Why are you building here? Nothing will happen in this place.”
They did not believe it would work.
But I knew what I wanted to create.
I had a picture in my mind, and I believed I could make it happen.
Sometimes people will tell you that your idea is not good or that you cannot do something.
But you have to believe in your own dream.
Only you know what you are dreaming of.
Looking back at everything you have built, what message would you share with someone who has a dream but does not yet have the resources or confidence to pursue it?
Durba Giri: I believe you have to trust yourself and be honest about what you want to do.
You need to be clear about your dream and believe that it is possible.
When I started, I had very little. People did not believe in what I wanted to build, but I continued.
Along the way, I met people who helped me, and I am very grateful for that.
I always say that you have to ask, believe, and trust.
If you really know what you want and continue working toward it, sooner or later, things can happen.
Only the person who is dreaming truly knows that dream.
And only that person can make it happen.
Stay Connected:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabinaabuova?originalSubdomain=qa
