The Quiet Power of Belief
“My son was born with a congenital limb deficiency. As a mother, it hasn’t been easy watching him struggle with everyday tasks, especially at such a young age. But he’s always been brave—stronger than I could ever imagine. I never thought he’d have the chance to experience something like this. I’m deeply grateful that sports can open doors for children like him, children with disabilities. I’m thankful beyond words that he was given the chance to explore his abilities and show the talent he carries within.”
Pritam Gurung comes from a quiet, serene village in Tendruk, Samtse where summers are hot and humid—a place that shaped his resilience and spirit. Despite the challenges, his love for movement and sports grew stronger with every passing day.
“My name is Pritam, and I am 11 years old. I study in class 5 at Tendruk Central School. I play football, and I love watermelon,” he said softly, his eyes flickering between the ground and the faces that around him. “I stay in the hostel and I have many good friends.”
Pritam’s world is one shaped by simplicity and quiet resilience. Raised by a single mother who works as a cook for a construction company, he has learnt responsibility earlier than most boys his age. During vacations, he returns home and helps with household chores- sweeping, carrying water, helping in the kitchen. However, this summer would be different. This time Pritam wouldn’t just help. He would explore.
He arrived in the bustling capital for the first time, overwhelmed by the city’s pace, the unfamiliar buildings, the strangers. Dressed in a long-sleeved shirt and a pair of shorts, flip-flops barely holding onto his feet, he stood alone at the entrance of the Bhutan Aquatics Center.
It was the first day of the Swimming Summer Coaching Camp. When asked, “Do you swim?” he hesitated, nodding shyly. He tried to keep his composure but with his eyes fidgeting around the venue he couldn’t help but exclaim internally. He was handed a pair of swimming shorts and gently ushered towards the changing room. Moments later, he came with a cautious smile.
The assistant coach, Viki welcomed him and walked towards the Olympic-sized pool. It was enormous and felt far larger than anything Pritam had ever seen- perhaps even larger than his own world.
“Can you swim across it?” someone asked.
He shook his head, unsure. “I don’t think so. I don’t have that much strength” he replied, his honesty drawing a warm laugh from those nearby. But behind the unsurety was a quiet determination.
It was the first day of summer coaching camp. Parents filled the gallery. Children laughed and played in the water. The air was electric with joy. Coach Viki turned to Pritam and said gently, “You can take off your shirt.”
Pritam froze. At just 11 years old, he was already burdened with self-consciousness. He tried to hide his right hand, clearly uncomfortable in his own skin. But then, the coach guided him into the pool and something beautiful happened.
As he stepped into the water, his eyes lit up. Something shifted. His shoulders relaxed. His hesitation evaporated. Pritam just had an epiphany. The cool embrace of the water seemed to free him from the weight he carried. The instructions from Coach Viki faded into the background as he became immersed in the pool.
The boy who once stood silent in the corner was now moving, floating, kicking, learning. Within minutes, it was clear. Pritam had something rare. His raw potential glimmered beneath the surface, waiting only to be nurtured.
Pritam’s story might have ended with a summer memory, but one woman saw more than just a moment- Ms. Rinchen Dema, his school’s sports instructor.
“Sometimes, conversations with colleagues can lead to unexpected moments of inspiration. It was during a break at work when we were chatting about sports, and one of my colleagues brought up a topic about Pritam. He showed me a video of Pritam swimming, and I was truly moved. Watching that video, I couldn’t help but wonder—does a place exist where he can truly showcase his talent and be seen for the incredible potential he holds?”
“ During the Special Olympics Bhutan workshop that I first met Coach Viki,” she shared. “The moment he said he was a swimming coach, Pritam came to mind. I couldn’t ignore the instinct.”
Her recommendation set everything in motion. During one of the formal meetings between the Bhutan Paralympic Committee and the Bhutan Aquatics Federation, Coach Viki shared about the boy and later the Bhutan Paralympic Committee inquired about him. Ms. Rinchen sent his bio details and videos without hesitation.
“From an early age, I developed a deep love for sports. I was the kind of child who felt most alive on the playground” she shared. “What made my journey unique was the constant and unwavering support of my parents. No matter how unconventional my path seemed, they never discouraged me. Instead, they stood by me through every match, training session, and tournament.”
“Over time, my passion for sports evolved into a desire to teach. I transitioned from being a sports enthusiast to becoming a sports teacher. For me, teaching is about more than imparting knowledge; it’s about nurturing, mentoring, and inspiring students with the same dedication and love that my parents, coaches, and mentors once showed me. That sense of purpose led me to teaching, and today, I feel truly fulfilled helping children discover their strengths.” She believed in him and knew he could achieve more.
But belief alone isn’t enough. It needs to be sustained, nurtured, and fed with care. That’s where another gentle force stepped in- Ms. Kaushila Jogi, an Inclusive Educator and Class 4 Social Studies teacher at Tendruk Central School. She gave Pritam a place to stay and she made sure that he never missed his training.
“I was once like him,” she recalled. “I didn’t take care of my health. I gained weight, lost focus. Sports changed that. It gave me discipline, clarity… purpose.”
Her journey inspired her to advocate for students who often remain unseen.
“Sports do more than build strength,” she said. “They build character. Confidence. Communication. For children with special needs, sports are therapy. They bring movement, friendship, joy, and most of all, dignity.”
When she saw Pritam, she saw potential. But more than that, she saw a responsibility.
“As an inclusive educator, it is my duty to ensure every child has a chance to shine. Pritam deserves that stage. And if groomed well, I truly believe he could one day swim for Bhutan at the international level.”
There is something sacred about water. It cleanses. It carries. It heals. And for Pritam, it offered something more.
In that Olympic pool, he wasn’t just a boy from a remote village, the son of a struggling mother. He was powerful. He was weightless. He was limitless.
His story is a reminder that greatness often hides in the quietest corners, waiting for someone to notice. Waiting for a coach, a teacher, a mentor, or even a stranger to say: “I see you. You matter. You can.”
And sometimes, all it takes is a pair of swimming shorts, a kind word, and a chance.
