After having new home, Ilawati dreams of continuing education

By Santosh Dahit,Dang, Dec. 29: At the tender age of seven, Ilawati Chaudhary lost her mother, Sarita Chaudhary, a painful experience that would never leave her heart. 

Just a year later, her father, Budhram Chaudhary, also passed away, leaving Ilawati to shoulder the burden of responsibilities at an age when most children are playing and learning.

Following the death of her mother, Ilawati’s father, who suffered from tuberculosis, was unable to receive proper treatment due to financial constraints. 

At just eight years old, Ilawati found herself looking after her weak grandmother and younger brother, while struggling to continue her own education. 

With help from her maternal family, Ilawati took care of her grandmother’s health, supported her brother’s studies, and tried her best to keep her own studies going.

Despite facing immense challenges, Ilawati was determined to stay in school. Even though the school was far from her village, Ilawati would reach Saraswati Secondary School in nearly an hour, walking through difficult terrain. 

However, after reaching grade 8, she had to abandon her studies due to financial hardships. The decision was hard: should she pay her school fees, support her brother’s education, or provide medical care for her ailing grandmother? 

Ultimately, the weight of these concerns forced her to give up her education.

“I decided to quit my studies for my brother’s education and my grandmother’s treatment,” Ilawati shared. 

“That night, I couldn’t sleep, feeling that my education had come to an end.” 

At just 15 years old, she left for Pyuthan in search of work. Without finding any work in her village, Ilawati moved to a nearby district, earning Rs. 600   a day, which she used to buy medicines for her grandmother, pay for her brother’s school fees, and buy food for the household.

Ilawati’s 80-year-old grandmother, Kailalsapati Chaudhary, relies on a walking stick for support.

 “My grandmother receives an old-age allowance, but it’s not enough,” Ilawati said. “The money I earn through labour helps buy her medicines. Without that allowance, it would be even harder for us.” 

Living in a makeshift home, rainy nights were particularly difficult for them, with the roof leaking and having to move the bed around to stay dry. 

“I always wished someone would help us build a proper home, but who would care for the poor like us?” she added.

Then, one day, during a village meeting, Ilawati heard the promise that her house would be built. 

Though sceptical at first, she was soon visited by Asamani Chaudhary, the president of the Rural Women’s Empowerment Centre, and other local representatives. 

Through a collaboration between the centre and Gadhwa Municipality, Ilawati’s dream home was built, a two-room, earthquake-resistant concrete house.

Today, Ilawati’s eyes shine with happiness. “I never even dreamed of such a house,” she said, smiling. 

“Now, my grandmother is happy.” With a stable home, Ilawati’s current focus is no longer on the roof over her head, but rather on securing a bright future for her brother. 

She has also expressed her desire to continue her education if she gets the chance.

Ilawati, who has always had an interest in sports, once won first place in a competition, surpassing 572 other students in her school. 

The pride of showing that medal to her late parents still remains a heartache. Over the years, Ilawati has won seven medals in various school competitions.

Asamani Chaudhary, the president of the Rural Women’s Empowerment Centre, explained that their goal was to provide hope and confidence to extremely poor families by building homes. 

The centre, in collaboration with the local municipality, has built three earthquake-resistant homes for economically disadvantaged women and children in Gadhwa.

With the completion of her new home, Ilavati now stands strong with her grandmother, ready to face the future with determination.