Sarita Biswakarma (name changed), 19, comes from Kalikot, Nepal. She lives in a family of seven, which includes her grandmother, siblings, and parents. Her mother manages the household, working in the fields and tending to cattle, while her father earns a living as a wage worker. The family once owned a small piece of land, but a devastating landslide swept it away, leaving them entirely dependent on her father’s income. Given the large family size and limited income, Sarita often faces financial difficulties.
Sarita is incredibly grateful for the opportunity to learn new skills such as sewing, bag making, English, and computer literacy. Before this, she had never seen a computer, let alone used one. Her excitement and happiness are palpable as she learns to navigate this new technology. Her previous education was in a government school where she did not have access to English classes, making her especially thrilled to now be learning the language.
Sarita feels very fortunate to have this chance to come to Kathmandu from a remote area and receive free training. She acknowledges that many people from her village never get the opportunity to travel to Kathmandu, even if they desire to do so. Being selected for this program among many applicants makes her feel exceptionally lucky.
Looking ahead, Sarita dreams of starting a sewing shop when she returns to her village. She is hopeful that the skills she acquires here will enable her to earn money and support her family. She envisions a future where she is financially independent and no longer reliant on others. Sarita’s determination and newfound skills give her hope for a brighter future, one where she can contribute significantly to her family’s well-being.