At the age of five, Nikesh Paswan came to Kathmandu for better life. Since then, he has been living in Bansighat as an urban squatter. He is now a 25 year old man with a wife and a son of 5 years old. He was born with leg deformity and had no other option but to beg in order to meet his family’s needs. Living in Bansighat is not easy, especially for someone with a disability. It becomes more challenging to cope with the stinging smell from the nearby river-dumping site, the acute shortage of water, and the irregular income to name few. Despite these difficulties, Nikesh cannot imagine living in another area.

“I grew up and am attached to this area. After all, this is my home,” said Paswan. Generally his day passes by lingering on road and ends up earning at least NRP. 150.00 to 200.00 on a daily basis. However, it becomes difficult to make a living out of the money he makes by begging.

“My father is a beggar,” said Raj Paswan, his son. Nikesh hopes his son understands his limitations and why he was forced intobegging as a profession. His life has always been a struggle but like any other parent, he does not want his son to face the struggles he had to face. “I want my son to study hard and be a big person,” said Paswan. He is well aware about the importance of education and also the presence of someone to help the boy thrive in school as he grows older.

As Paswan himself is not educated, he cannot help his son with his school work, but with the establishment of the new Banshigat Community Center by GUTHI and INCLUDED, Raj will be able to receivehelp from the after school programand have the opportunity to explore his talents and creativity. The center also has the capacity expand its programs conducting sessions that can helpdisabled members of the communitybecome self-sufficient and thrive.

- Bimala Gurung

Program Officer

GUTHI