Skanda Swar, founder of Dhumbarahi Children’s Library, was recently invited as a keynote speaker at the National Leadership Camp 2025, which was organised by the youth empowerment group Burn Bright in Sydney, Australia, from July 10 to 13. This marks the first time the camp has welcomed international delegates, and Swar became the first Nepali to take on this role.

The library was established a year ago in Dhumbarahi to provide a welcoming space for children in the neighbourhood to read, learn, and grow. Within a year, it grew into a thriving weekend community hub, attracting over 40 children every Saturday and amassing a collection of more than 300 books. The grassroots impact of the initiative led to Swar’s invitation to the international leadership platform.

At the national leadership camp, attended by 110 youth participants and diverse speakers, Swar recounted her journey, which started with donating old books. In her keynote, she described the stark disparities in Nepal's education system between public and private schools. She emphasised how access to books, or the absence of them, can influence a child’s confidence, curiosity, and imagination.

She shared how the idea for the library was sparked after visiting a local school’s lifeless library. That moment of disheartenment transformed into a mission to build a space where reading felt joyful and empowering. She shared her motto—to build not just a library but a sanctuary for children—and described how, gradually, with community backing and perseverance, it came to fruition.

Reflecting on her experience, Swar said, “The camp taught me that leadership isn’t just about being at the front. True leaders know how to guide and support from behind as well. I also discovered the idea of servant leadership, which was a completely new and eye-opening concept for me.’’

Swar’s story reminds us that change doesn’t need to start big—it just needs to start. Her journey shows that what truly matters isn’t the size of the project but the impact it creates—even if it’s just for one child.