Personal History: According to the orphanage’s scant records, Nikesh’s father died when he was very young. His mother was destitute and abandoned him so that she could marry another man. The police brought Nikesh to the Balmandir Orphanage. He does have an uncle that occasionally visits.

What makes me special?: Nikesh is very bright, hard-working and graduated from the top of his 10th grade class of 37 children. He loves to read and is often found absorbed in a book. His favorite sport is basketball. His life ambition is to become a doctor so that he can help others. His “Plan B” is to be a scientist of some sort. Nikesh loved meeting his new sponsors in April 2009 when they visited Nepal. The other sponsors on the trip noticed Nikesh’s transformation during that week: his smile is now brighter, he holds his head higher and is a more confident young man!