All Stories

"I was a tomboy. In a group of 4 friends, I was the only girl. From early on, I hung out with the boys. I always felt safe with them. They protected me. I would easily go in a crowd of boys and...

“I had no guidance but life taught me. And because I was always looking for opportunities for a better life, I came into contact with a generous lady who took me in, to work at her humanitarian...

"I must have been 7 or 8. I must have made a demand for money or a toy with Mother. I remember she put me on her lap, wrapped me around her shoulders and said, 'Son, I am sorry. You were only one...

"If it was not for my wife, I would have been in Bambai playing Gumkee. She got sick and I stayed back. It was one of the biggest sacrifices I have made but she has no way of understanding it. I am...

"When I was 4, Mother and Father migrated to Nepal from Jaynagar in India. Father always told us about how difficult life was in his ancestral home. His brothers and sisters had died because cholera...

"Father might have angered the Gods that he could never walk with a straight leg after the accident. He must have sinned said the neighbours. Gradually, we became poorer and poorer. There was no...

"I lived in Qatar for several years. There, I saw that if one had some skills, it was possible to earn money. And one could do that with a minimal amount of blood and sweat. After I returned from...

"There is more fun in playing the flute than praying all day. So I sneaked out of the hall."

It was amazing to spend some time with these men in Dhanusa. There was laughter and we did not mind some time in the cool shed away from the searing heat outside. Their stories revealed a lot about...

"When father died, mother had to give away the animals to the landlord because without father there was no way for her to repay the money that he had loaned to sent us to school. The milk that father...

"I worked for the man looking after his animals for several years. I learnt to milk cows, store milk and stack up containers. I took care of my family with the money I earned. I started farming the...

"I am what they call an all-rounder. You will probably hear my name being called many times if you stay under this cowshed. Because I move like a fluid feather, I reach with a helping hand without...

"I like spending time with the animals in the shade. Wash them, milk them, dry them, things like that. Sometimes when I get bored, I also make small talk with them. Unlike some men and women who come...

"I am good at Maths. I have liked numbers from when I was little. Even though I am not a little kid anymore, I still love counting marbles. But counting money is my favourite thing to do. I think...

"I do nothing. I just sit by the window and watch people come and go. Some wave at me while some look away. Sometimes I watch the birds return home and sometimes I watch the paddy swing in the...

"I work for the big merchant of the town. I load and unload goods that he sells at the shop. I had a small accident and I cut myself. But my master paid for the pharmacy to have me stitched. He is a...