Lives Touched
Menuka; an Empowered Life!
Menuka Dhungana is a strong and hardworking mother who changed her family’s life through the power of learning and hard work. Menuka is from Kavre, a rural area Esat of Kathmandu. She moved to the capital city of Nepal in 2014 with her husband, Chamar Singh Bal. He works as a painter, but the work is not regular, so the family often struggles financially. They have two children who study at the Asha School—Sapika, who is in Grade 4, and Saphin, who is in nursery.
Life in Kathmandu was not easy. Menuka wanted to do something to help her family, so she joined our tailoring training program. She worked hard and gained confidence. After finishing the training, she started her own small tailoring business. Menuka now earns about Rs. 20,000 (US$150) every month, which is a very good salary in Kathmandu. That is an entry-level teacher’s salary for example. This income has made a big difference. The family has enough for daily needs, and Menuka feels proud that she can support her home. In her own words, “This training has changed my life. Now I can take care of my children and give them a better future.”
Meet Ashish Tamang, a nine-year-old boy from the Dhading district in Nepal. He lives in Kathmandu with his family of three, sharing a rented room with his aunt. In 2017, his parents moved to the city for better opportunities, but his father’s alcoholism and subsequent injury left the family struggling.
Despite hardships, Ashish’s mother started working as a construction laborer. Hearing about the ASHA school, she sought admission for Ashish, where he was given free education. Ashish’s dedication paid off when he achieved first position in a recent examination. Despite her frequent illness, Ashish’s mother remains deeply invested in his education, harboring high hopes for his future.
Yuvraj Thapa, a resilient 16-year-old from Ramechap, Nepal, saw his world unravel with the loss of his mother to an incurable tumor, plunging his family into turmoil as his father succumbed to alcoholism. At just 7 years old, Yuvraj had to set aside his schooling to work at a tea stall to support his family. In 2014, a glimmer of hope emerged when Yuvraj’s aunt brought him to Kathmandu, where the ASHA School welcomed him with open arms, offering him free admission. Despite initially struggling with English, Yuvraj’s determination, sincerity, and hard work propelled him forward. He quickly integrated with his peers and soon excelled academically.
Recognizing his potential, HOPE worldwide Nepal extended its support, sponsoring Yuvraj’s secondary education. With dedication and perseverance, Yuvraj achieved remarkable success, earning an “A+” grade in his seventh-grade exams. His journey is a testament to the transformative power of education in overcoming adversity. Now, with aspirations of becoming an engineer, Yuvraj’s story serves as an inspiration, illustrating the resilience of the human spirit and the profound impact of access to education. As he continues on his path, HOPE worldwide Nepal stands beside him, supporting his dreams and wishing him and his family a future filled with prosperity and opportunity.
