Scholarship holders with ICIMOD staff and school teacher

“Nearly 75% of our students are from poor and marginalized families. Some of these families migrated to Kathmandu after the devastating earthquake of 2015,” says Shyam Kaji Mahat, headmaster of Jana Vikash High School, a government-run school in Lalitpur.

• “My family migrated to Kathmandu from Ramechhap to work in brick kilns. We live a hand to mouth existence. All six of us, including children, have to work in brick kilns once a year to earn money for the family. I work before and after school. I use my scholarship money to pay my exam fees which my parents cannot afford. It would have been difficult for me to continue school without the scholarship as there is always the more appealing lure of dropping out of school to work and earn money. At school, my favorite subject is mathematics and I hope to eventually become an accountant.”
• “I would like to learn as many languages as possible, starting with French. My parents, who are farmers, and two brothers, both with jobs, support me. I don’t have to spend too much time doing household chores and get time to study as well as watch television. I want to be an air hostess and travel to many countries, and speak a lot of languages.”
• “My father has a small tea shop and my mother works as a cook at Jana Vikash School.  I have three sisters – two are in Spain and working, and one is in Nepal completing her bachelors. I have been receiving the scholarship for one year. I am the class topper here, but I would like to do much better. My sister, who is abroad keeps, inspiring and encouraging me to study harder for a brighter future. I want to work in Nepal and earn a good name in society.”
• “My father is a truck driver and my mother is a house wife. It is difficult for my father to manage school fees and other expenditures. His earning goes into paying rent, buying food and paying school fees for my younger sister who studies in a private school. My mother had a heart operation recently and cannot work. I have been receiving this scholarship for three years now which enables me to pay school fees and buy stationery. After passing class 10, I would like to study hotel management and go abroad. I want to study in a private school as the teachers are better. But, private schools are very expensive and my parents cannot afford it. If I continue to receive scholarship, I can fulfill my dreams. I want to be independent and self-employed to support my family.”
• “My father passed away when I was seven. Since then, my mother has been working as a labourer to make ends meet. I too work part-time – before and after school. Without this scholarship, it would be impossible for my family to cover my education expenses. It is such a relief to my mother. I want to continue my studies and get a good, permanent job.”

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