A Sister’s Promise

A Sister’s Promise
A Love That Never Wavers

Kinley Dema and Dawa Lhamo were more than just sisters; they were each other’s safe haven, a bond woven so deeply that even life’s cruelest blows could not tear them apart.

As children, they ran barefoot across the emerald hills of Bhutan, their laughter bouncing off the mountains. Dawa, the elder, was Kinley’s shadow and shield, always making sure she was safe. But fate had its own plans. At twelve, Kinley began slowing down. What started as exhaustion turned into something far worse. Her legs, once full of life, weakened day by day. By seventeen, she could no longer stand.

The world around them changed. Pity filled the eyes of villagers who once saw Kinley as a bright, energetic child. Some whispered about bad karma, others suggested spiritual rituals, but the cruelest were the silent stares that made Kinley feel invisible. Doors that once welcomed her seemed to shut, opportunities disappeared, and even hope started to fade. But one person never let go—Dawa.

Behind every powerful story, there’s someone who captures its essence. This inspiring journey of Kinley Dema and Dawa Lhamo is covered by Victor Gurung, Media & Technical Lead Consultant, BOC, with all images beautifully captured through his lens.

When Kinley moved to Thimphu to live with Dawa, she carried not just her dreams but also an unbearable weight of uncertainty. She had never been to school due to her condition, spending most of her years in Wangdi Beylangdra Goenpa, learning Dzong Nangpa Choew from her grandparents. The bustling city felt foreign, overwhelming. Every outing required planning, every movement needed assistance. Kinley hated feeling like a burden, but Dawa never let her think that way.

Dawa was a coach at the Shooting Federation, a job she loved but one that barely made ends meet. Some nights, she skipped meals, making sure Kinley had enough. She fought battles Kinley never saw, standing up to people who doubted Kinley’s abilities.

Then, one evening, everything changed.

“Have you ever heard of para shooting?” Dawa asked, her eyes gleaming with an idea.

Kinley shook her head, unsure.

“It’s a sport where strength isn’t in your legs, but in your focus, your mind, your hands. And I know you have that strength.”

Kinley laughed. “I’ve never even held a gun.”

“Then we’ll learn together,” Dawa said, determination blazing in her eyes.

With no easy way to travel to the training center, their tiny rented room became a makeshift shooting range. Stacks of books turned into targets, plastic bottles lined their balcony railing. Kinley’s hands trembled the first time she held the rifle, her mind flooded with doubt. But Dawa stood beside her, adjusting her grip, whispering, “Focus. Breathe. You’ve got this.”

Day after day, they trained. Kinley’s body was weak, but her will was unbreakable. The days when Kinley wanted to give up, when self-doubt crept in like an unwelcome guest. The nights Dawa cried in silence, exhausted but refusing to let Kinley see her cracks.

Then came the first real test— trail for her at shooting federation. The night before, Kinley barely slept. The fear of failure loomed over her, suffocating. “What if I miss every shot?” she whispered in the dark. Dawa squeezed her hand. “Then you miss. But you show up. You fight. And that’s already winning.”

The next day, Kinley rolled onto the shooting range, her heart pounding. Whispers filled the air—some doubtful, some curious. She ignored them. Lifting the rifle, she focused, exhaled, and pulled the trigger.

The bullet struck the target. A perfect shot. Silence. Then cheers erupted. Kinley looked up, eyes wide with disbelief, only to see Dawa’s tear-streaked face, beaming with pride. That was just the beginning.

She became a beacon of inspiration, competing in six international tournaments, including the Olympics, Asian Para Games, and the World Cup. In 2024, she reached the top eight in the World Cup, missing the bronze medal by just a few points. It stung, but she refused to let it break her. Dawa held her hand and whispered, “This is just a chapter, not the end. We fight again.”

Now, Kinley is training for the 2025 qualification match for the 2026 Asian Para Games. The dream is alive, burning brighter than ever. But beyond the medals and tournaments, there is one wish that remains unfulfilled.

When asked what she needed most in life, Kinley didn’t ask for riches, fame, or comfort. Her voice, soft but unwavering, held only one request:

“I don’t need anything. But if I could have an electric wheelchair, it would change my life. It would help me move, go to practice, and just be free.”

It was not a grand wish, just a simple plea for dignity, for independence. And for Dawa, hearing it felt like a dagger to her heart. She had done everything for Kinley, but this—this one thing—she had yet to give her sister.

Dawa has two dreams for Kinley—to grow old together and to watch her win a World Cup. But beyond that, she wishes for the world to see Kinley the way she does: not as someone in a wheelchair, but as a warrior, a fighter, a sister who never gave up.

This is not just a story of para shooting. It is a story of love—the kind that stands unwavering in the face of hardship. It is a story of two sisters who refuse to let life define them.

And now, we ask—will you be part of this story? Will you help Kinley move, not just with dreams, but with the freedom she deserves?

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