COPPELL, TX — Most student-athletes have very little time in between their schedule with practice, games and schoolwork, but a duo from North Texas are using what little extra time they have to help kids a world away live their dreams.

Bishesh Manandhar and his sister, Binivaa, have both been playing soccer since they were young kids and quickly bonded over the sport and their Nepalese heritage.

“Our whole family’s from Nepal. We still have a lot of family out there now,” said Bishesh.

When they finally got to visit the country for themselves several years ago, they discovered a great love for their sport, but they also learned that many don’t have the means or funds to actually play.

The duo said it’s a common to see kids playing without any equipment, even without shoes, on dirt fields. They discovered even their parents could relate to those struggles growing up.

“My dad was one of those kids playing on the grounds with no shoes, with a ball made out of paper, and the ground was littered with glass,” said Binivaa.

So, the duo, then just teens, decided to do something to help those kids on the other side of the world. What started as an effort to send a few supplies over to those in need, quickly grew into something more.

Today, Soccer for Nepal is a full-fledged non-profit organization that, in about the past six years, the Manandhars said has sent thousands of soccer supplies to kids in Nepal.

“We get used soccer cleats from around the DFW area and we donate them,” said Bishesh.

They’ve also gotten jerseys and other gear donated. Family members in the country then distribute the items to the kids in need.

With Bishesh now in college, Binivaa, a Coppell High School senior, has stepped into a bigger role at their organization and made major efforts to expand the sport to girls in Nepal.

“Girls weren’t getting to play soccer in Nepal and I really wanted to change that cause I’m so privileged here,” she said. “So, my main focus was girls and I think now I’ve sent over 500 pairs of cleats just to girls.”

As they continue to expand Soccer for Nepal, the Manandhars hope to one day travel back to the country, see their efforts paying off in-person and maybe even host a full-fledged soccer tournament for the youth players in the country that they’ve helped. Of course, that’s in between still honing their own skills on the field and completing their studies in the classroom.