Without Choices

"I drove a Fork Lane while I was in Saudi. I was good at it and my employers were happy with me. But their happiness meant that they were getting the work done with as little money as possible....

Published02 August 2017

Reading Time 2 mins

Author Stories of Nepal

Location Nepal

"I drove a Fork Lane while I was in Saudi. I was good at it and my employers were happy with me. But their happiness meant that they were getting the work done with as little money as possible. During my stay there, I could hardly save anything. Expenses were my own and I had to send some home for my 4 children. 2 sons and 2 daughters. I worked long hours and the heat was unbearable but I was happy that at least I had learnt to operate the machinery and that if I were to return home, I could possibly find a job with the roads department. After a few years, I returned home. The first thing I did was to go to the municipality to apply for a driving licence to be able to operate the Fork Lane. But, they said I need to show them the SLC certificate. I only went to school until the second grade. Now, how will I bring them the SLC certificate? So, I am back to digging and ploughing someone else's land for livelihood, which pays less than I used to make in Saudi. You see, whatever happens, happens only to the poor. Now, I am already in some debt and I know if things do not get better the debt will keep on accumulating and I will have no choice than to go some other country and find work. I do not want to but I will have to." (Dhaneshwor Khatbahani Khang, Gamsalauniya 6, Saptari)

Join the Archival Journey

Receive weekly dispatches from the field—stories of resilience, tradition, and the changing landscape of Nepal delivered quietly to your inbox.