What Others Are Saying

 📣 New Dawn Charter Schools just released our Q2 2025 newsletter: Dawnlight Digest!

A Story That Inspires: Mr. Sanman Thapa’s Journey of Resilience, Hope, and Heart

By Ashish Abraham

I’ve had the privilege of working alongside Mr. Sanman Thapa for almost five years now—and I can say without a doubt, he is one of the most genuine, resilient, and purpose-driven people I’ve ever met. His presence in our New Dawn community goes beyond his role as a school counselor; Sanman is a living example of what it means to turn pain into power and purpose.

Many of our students know Mr. Thapa as a compassionate listener, a fierce advocate, and someone who never gives up on them. But behind that calm and supportive demeanor is a remarkable story—a journey that started on the factory floors of Kathmandu, Nepal. After surviving a traumatic injury that resulted in the loss of his hand, Sanman didn’t let tragedy define him. Instead, he pursued education with unwavering focus, eventually becoming a National Board-Certified and Bilingual School Counselor in New York.

His recently published book, A Fight for a Cup of Chai: A Journey Through Labor, Loss, and Hope, shares not just his personal experiences but also the untold stories of those who work in silence and suffer invisibly. I remember him saying, “Your journey matters. Your voice matters.” And he truly means it. His story encourages our students—and all of us—not to hide from our struggles but to honor them, grow from them, and share them when we’re ready.

What’s even more powerful is that Sanman sees struggle as something that connects us. He reminds us that whether your challenges are in a Kathmandu factory or a New York City classroom, they’re real, and they matter. He doesn’t just talk about hope—he models it. As he says, “The light at the end of the tunnel is real.”

When he’s not counseling students or writing, you’ll often find Sanman exploring the world with his family—curious, grounded, and always learning. That’s who he is at his core: a learner, a builder, and someone who wants to help others see their own strength. Copies of Mr. Thapa’s book are available through both New Dawn campuses.
 To learn more about his story, visit: www.sanmanthapa.com