Needy students | Grade 9 | Kathmandu
“Thank you very much for providing a monthly scholarship to my children. It means a lot to us, it is not only the money but also feeling love, care, and encouragement from you.” – Rohit’s mother
Complicated Family relationship
Rohit Tamang is a bright 16-year-old student in grade 9 who lives in Kathmandu, Nepal. Despite his young age, he has faced significant challenges due to the complicated relationship between his parents. Although both of his parents are present, his father’s alcohol addiction has made it difficult for him to contribute to the family’s well-being. As a result, Rohit and his younger sister, Sujita Tamang, have been living separately with their mother. Despite these challenges, Rohit remains committed to his studies and is determined to create a better future for himself and his family.
Rohit’s hardworking mother, Bipana Tamang.
Bipana Tamang is Rohit’s mom, and she has been taking care of him and his sister on her own for a long time. She works hard as a laborer, carrying heavy materials like bricks, sand, and iron rods on her back every day to earn money for food and education.
Rohit’s family moved to Kathmandu for a better life, but things got worse when his dad started drinking because he couldn’t find a job. He would get angry and hit Bipana, and sometimes Rohit and his sister too. They tried to stop him, but it didn’t help. Eventually, Bipana had enough and decided to leave her husband because of his violence.
Face the Nepal earthquake and Pandemic
Rohit Tamang’s mother faced many challenges during the Nepal earth earthquakes. They lived in temporary shelters made of plastic tarps for years, relying on free food and aid from non-profit organizations and the Nepalese government. Rohit’s mother couldn’t find work, so they moved around searching for aid and food. Rohit’s mother found work on construction sites, and they were able to provide for their family again.
Rohit and his sister learned to appreciate what they had and the responsibility their mother had to support them after the Nepal earthquake. However, when the pandemic lockdown was imposed in Kathmandu, Rohit’s mother lost her job, and they quickly ran out of food and money. With everything closed and no job opportunities available, they struggled to survive on just one meal a day.
During the pandemic, Rohit’s family struggled to get by with just one meal a day. They had to borrow food and money from their neighbors when their supplies ran out. They were afraid of dying from hunger, which was worse than their experience during the Nepal earthquakes. However, in 2022, things slowly started to open up, and people adjusted to the pandemic’s new normal.
Smooth life after the scholarship
Rohit Tamang attends a government school and owes his education to his hardworking mother. He now understands the struggles and helps his mother daily. His mother also began to work normally. Rohit and his sister are also selected for the “Scholarship for Needy Students” Project from ICEF-Taiwan in 2022, providing support for their education and their mother. We hope Rohit completes his schooling and continues to help his mother.
