Story of a NEST Sponsored Child
Devi
Maya Ghalan is 13 years old. She was born with disablitiy. She does not have
legs as other children, however, she wants to study and be educated. Her family
is big and poor. She belongs to one of the most disadvantaged ethnic groups
of Nepal. Her parents do not have any particular jobs.Her father Dil Bahadur
Ghalan is illiterate and works as a manual laborer. Devi is the eldest child
of the family with two younger brothers and two sisters. Her mother also works
in the fields.
Her younger brother also studies with her in the same class in a local school.
It is not easy for Devi to get to school as she lives on a hill. Every day
she creeps about two hours to her school. Despite of her legs, she is eager
to learn and she is very intelligent. She likes singing. On the occasion of
international children's right day, 20 November 2002, she sang a song at a
concert in Hetauda. Her sweet voice spellbound all the audience of the programme.
In recognition of her talent and to encourage disabled children, NEST presented
her a cassette player and a cash prize. She inaugurated the children's day
by releasing a pair of pigeons and appealed the society to say yes for children.
She is
disabled but she does not feel that she is. She says she wants to be educated
and contribute to society when she grows up. For now, she helps her mother
with domestic work, raising her siblings and even cutting grass for cattle.
At present, Devi studies in Grade 4 in Bal Ujjwal Lower Secondary School, Lewat, Bastipur Village Development Committee. Her living costs, education and medical expenses are covered by NEST sponsorship. Ms. Bianca Geerneart, NEST Honorary member and international representative has given her a life and a future through sponsorship. You too can give hope for a better life to other Devi Mayas.
Education is the only means to bring about change and combat poverty, gender discrimination, and injustice. Sponsor a child and see how your contribution can change a child's life. You can read about more children like Devi on our Children's Stories page. Then contact us and you can begin to make that change a reality.
As a sponsor, you can start a personal relationship with the child, and will receive regular progress reports and photographs from NEST.