Lalbahadur seeks help to bring up, educate 11 children

By Nabin Raj Kuikel,Lamjung, May 14: An old house with a leaking zinc roof, barely held together by a tarpaulin, shelters a total of 11 children, seven daughters and four sons, where hardship overshadows every moment. Struggling to secure even a meal, the family faces relentless adversity, with no support to ease their burdens.

This is the state of a house in Simi Village, located in Dordi Rural Municipality-6, Lamjung. 

On January 24, 2025, Shanta Gurung, 47, passed away unexpectedly. After not being able to get treatment in the Provincial Hospital in Besisahar, she died on the way while being taken to Chitwan. After her death, her 11 children are living in a miserable situation.

Lalbahadur, Shanta's husband, is at home. He faces the challenge of feeding, clothing and educating the children.  Children are not only deprived of going to school, but they are also malnourished.

Among 11 children, the eldest daughter, Lalita, is married.  After the poor condition of the household, the eldest son, Dhanraj, dropped his studies and went to India in search of work. After failing his 8th grade, the second son went to Chitwan for work. The two sons and six daughters rely solely on Lalbahadur.

“I have been working on someone else’s land as a worker. The harvest is not enough to feed us. It’s a struggle to feed children with two meals a day," said Lalbahadur. “After my wife’s death, we are in a miserable situation. It has been a challenge to educate children.”  The third son, Chin Bahadur, is 10 years old and studies in grade 1 in the village school. 

The youngest son, Santosh, is eight years old and he also studies in grade 1. The second daughter, Asmi, left her studies and stayed at home to look after her siblings. The third daughter, Sommaya, left her studies after her mother's death while she was in grade 6. The fourth daughter, eleven and a half years old Maya, studies in grade 5. The seventh daughter, Anju, is six years old and is in preschool. Supriya, who is four years old, and one-year-old Kaanchi, do not go to school.”

“The household is not good, and I can’t even feed, clothe and educate my children.” The household is in poor condition, making it impossible for me to provide them with education, said Lilbahadur. 

“I am even more worried about the leaking roof.” He has asked for help in educating and taking care of the children." I wish to take care and educate the children, but I need help,” said Lalbahadur.