Pabitra's story

You cannot help everyone. But when you find someone whom you want to help, you should.

I am deeply consumed in this thought these days. I came to know recently that a student failed to get a wonderful scholarship opportunity that would ensure quality education for her life. Quality education for people in the lower economic rung is hard to find. Here is Pabitra's story. I really want to help her study without thinking about any other household problems. If her story touches your heart and you would like to contribute in whatever ways, please pledge by commenting below or emailing me at richaneupane19@gmail.com.

I have known her for a year as her English teacher in class 10.

Pabitra was the most motivated student throughout the year that I have known her. She has regularly attended school and extra classes.  She is a very good Nepali writer. She has the maturity to know that further education is crucial for her life. Pabitra shows high concern towards the education of her sisters and cousins in her locality. She works hard to show them that studying and going to school is important. She has been of help and motivation to me as a teacher. She is very much committed towards learning more.

The fact that Pabitra sees the inequity in her village, in her family’s and societys’ backward thoughts about education and wants to change that by being an example really impresses me. She has volunteered with Red Cross during various health camps. She has also volunteered by helping me in the green room, to make sure the performers get ready on time, for six hours straight during the school annual program and I will be forever grateful towards her.

Pabitra is a bit shy at first. However, as she gets older I am sure she will overcome that. She is also willing to be better. Her strength is her commitment to study and become better. She is hard-working. She also has the ability to stand up against the wrong. She argues with her mother now and then when it is about going to school and learning. 

Pabitra and her 3 younger siblings have been raised by their single mother. It is really hard for her mother to support the education of all three. They don’t have land other than their small tin house.  Her father who lives with his second wife sends money now and then. But that is not enough.  So her mother takes small loans from local cooperatives to provide basic goods for the family.

As a child she has faced abandonment problems. She has only recently started to understand its consequences. She wants to give a better future for her siblings and support her mother to do that.