Entertainment
1 November, 2025
Moving yarn wins gold
CAIRNS author and journalist Kirsty Nancarrow has won gold at the ABLE Golden Book Awards for her moving biographical work ‘Himalayan Dreams: The Story of Som Tamang’.
The book tells the remarkable life story of Som Tamang, who grew up in a remote Himalayan village in Nepal and went on to become a powerful advocate for children’s rights and education.
Through his charity, Friends of Himalayan Children, he has helped hundreds of disadvantaged children access schooling and safe shelter, transforming an entire generation in his community.
Mrs Nancarrow said she was thrilled the book was being recognised and reaching new readers.
“I’ve been involved with supporting Friends of Himalayan Children since 2016, including volunteering in Batase school,” she said.
“I’m thrilled that this book now has the recognition and visibility through this award so that many more people can be inspired by Som’s incredible story.”
Mrs Nancarrow first met Mr Tamang while working as an ABC journalist in Cairns in 2015, shortly after devastating earthquakes struck Nepal, killing 9000 people.
Mr Tamang lost his brother and much of his village’s infrastructure, including the local school and children’s hostel.
Eighteen months later, Mrs Nancarrow travelled to Nepal to volunteer.
“I could see the impact Som was having through providing access to education for children in the village, particularly girls,” she said.
“Previously, girls were not given access to education. They were getting married young or trafficked to India and he changed all of that.”
Over the years, Mrs Nancarrow returned several times to volunteer and trek with Mr Tamang and his team of women guides.
During her 2018 visit, she gathered interviews for what would become ‘Himalayan Dreams’, published last year.
Mr Tamang’s journey, she said, was one of extraordinary resilience.
“When he was just 10-years-old he was tricked into slavery on the promise of an education,” she said.
“He fought his way out of that situation and went on to help, not just himself, but his younger siblings and the rest of his village. That really inspired me.”
Since its release, Himalayan Dreams has become a No. 1 bestseller on Amazon and is now available in multiple formats, including audiobook.
Mrs Nancarrow has sold more than 1000 copies through dozens of author events across Australia and overseas.
She hopes readers will, not only be inspired by Mr Tamang’s courage, but also take action.
“I hope people will consider volunteering in Nepal or supporting the Rotary Australia World Community Service project linked to the book,” she said.
“Our goal is to extend the Batase school to year 12, so children don’t have to leave their village to complete their education.”
Mrs Nancarrow will speak about the book at Mareeba Library on Friday 7 November at 10.30am. Register at www.bit.ly/42U0BJU
