January 23, 2017
Nepal
When Susmita Nepali’s mother beat her during a family argument in summer 2015, Susmita decided to run away. Without informing her parents, she took a bus to Kathmandu, where she told the owner of a Bed & Breakfast that she had lost all her family members in the earthquake. Believing her story, the hostel owner offered her a job in his canteen – for a salary of 2’000 Rupees per month.
It was only a few weeks after Susmita’s escape that a villager recognized her in the canteen and informed her worried family about the whereabouts of their daughter. At Dasain, her family travelled to Kathmandu to bring Susmita back home. After the celebrations, Susmita went back to Kathmandu, where she worked for another few weeks before returning home for good.
Back in Talamarang, Susmita decided not to continue her studies, as she would have been older than her classmates. Not sufficiently aware of the benefits an education could bring to their daughter, Susmita’s parents did not encourage her to return to the school-bench.
In May 2016, Tuki (a nonprofit organization dedicated to sustainable development of Nepal) conducted a parenting education event in Panchakanya Lower Secondary School. During the event, Susmita’s parents informed Bal Krishna Nepal, social mobilizer of Tuki, about their daughter’s case. Following two household counseling visits, Susmita could be convinced to return to school. Thus, on 12 June 2016, Susmita rejoined grade 6 of Panchakanya School – with the promise of attending classes on a regular basis from now on.
Thanks to their counseling and care, staff members of Tuki have helped change the course of Susmita’s life. It is now up to Susmita to keep to her promise and attend classes regularly. Her family, her school and Tuki will be there to support her – all of them trying their level best to help Susmita find her way towards a brighter future.
Caritas Czech Republic and its partners – Caritas Switzerland and organizations MANK and TUKI – provides activities to promote school attendance of children in the Sindhupalchok province (and also thanks to the public humanitarian collections).
