FALCHA
Room to Read Nepal Nov 15- Dec 15
“Thanks to Education, I can teach other children,” Nirupa
W
hen my parents separated, my mother came to Kathmandu carrying a nine months old baby. She was lonely and uneducated. Her only mission in life was to provide the best she could for her baby. After months of struggle, she found a job in a garment factory but her job did not allow her to take the baby at work. She had no option but to leave the baby locked in the small room. Years passed by, and both of them continue to live in the same room; the room where I spent my entire life so far. In 2002, Room to Read helped me escape that room. For the first time, I was an enrolled student. Fast forward 13 years, I am an undergraduate student and a primary grade teacher. I am a confident and an independent woman. Room to Read not only provided me with the material and academic support but guided me throughout my life. I know how life can treat you without education. I have seen the cost my mother paid for being illiterate. She has struggled every day to raise and educate me. Her only income from the garment factory was hardly enough for us to pay the rent and fulfill our daily needs. She skipped many meals just to buy me a new dress during festivals. But she never complained. Even during her sick days, she did not let me miss the school and help her with the chores. She always said, “Focus on your studies�. She knew the value of education.
Pic: Nirupa’s childhood photo
Pic: Nirupa helping her mother, Mira with the calculations
Pic: Nirupa carrying the garments for her mother to work
Pic: Mira stitching the pattern in the garment
Now that I am educated, I help her with the calculations in her work, bargain with her supervisors and get her the right medicine. I pay the rent of our room. With education, I can now dream of a reputed and well paid job. The life skills education that I received from the program helped me to speak for my rights. I can say no to the wrong requests and speak against the wrong things. I believe in myself and know I can go way forward in life. If I were not educated, I would have been working in someone’s house or struggling like my mother. I thank my mother for her sacrifices. I am her strength and will continue to make her proud. Also, I will always be grateful to Room to Read for changing my life and my destination. It will always be my second home. Thanks to Education, it changed my life and brought brightness in it. I can teach other children and multiply the things I have learned. Now, I can Pic: Mira and Nirupa imagine for my better future,” Nirupa, Girls’ Education Program Alumna.
Thanks to Education Story “Thanks to Education, I can make generational impact educating my children,” Udaya Manandhar, Country Director, Room to Read Nepal. “Thanks to Education, it made me the way I am. I understand the value of different cultures and religions and live peacefully,” Raj Bhai Shakya, Program Operations Director, Room to Read Nepal. “Thanks to Education, I learned to explore the opportunities and gave a direction to my life,” Ananda Paudel, Literacy Director, Room to Read Nepal. “Thanks to Education, it made me competent enough to be able to work in this organization,” Janardan Devkota, Admin Manager, Room to Read Nepal. “Thanks to Education, it changed my lifestyle and helped develop my knowledge and intelligence,” Ganesh DC, Sub-Engineer, Room to Read Nepal.
Pic: Nepal Country Office Team celebrates‘Thanks to Education’ event
Deepa Shrestha, Accounting and Finance Manager, who is one of the five daughters of her parents shared, “Thanks to Education, I fill the gap of a male child to my parents. I am independent and responsible woman. I make my parents proud.” “Thanks to Education, I can utilize my knowledge in the field of Education through Room to Read. I am a civilized citizen of the nation,” Ganesh Bdr. Thapa, Room to Read Nepal. Thanks to Education, I am a part of this big team working to change the world through education,” Surjendra Acharya, Sub- Engineer, Room to Read Nepal. “Thanks to Education, I am able to impact many children through my work,” Bharat Luitel, Room to Read Nepal.
Pic: Our Palpa Field Office team celebrates the milestone
Pic: Our Nuwakot Field Office team celebrates the milestone
Pic: “I support in forming plan, strategies and policy at the national level,� Chandra B. Khadka, District Education Officer
Pic: Students share their Thanks to Education story
Pic: One of the schools in Nuwakot celebrates the milestone
“It gave me skills to distinguise the good and the bad,” Baturam Bhandari, Field Associate- LP “I got the opportunity to create the learning environment for the children and make an impact in the remote areas of Nepal,” Khadga Kunwar, Field Manager- Palpa
Thanks to Education
“I am an independent woman and a part of this esteemed organization,” Samjhana Thatal, Office Associate
“It gave me power to continuously move ahead,” Anil Chapagain, Admin & Finance Associate
“I can lead and motivate many girls,” Gargi, Social Mobilizer “I can contribute to the society. It gave me a feeling of purpose and responsibility”, Dinesh Rayamajhi, Program Officer- SI
FEEDBACK sangam.silpakar@roomtoread.org