“If given the opportunity, we can also do good work.”
Background
Seventeen years ago, Pooja Badi was born as the second child and eldest daughter of Phini Badi and Govinda Badi (now deceased) in the Badi settlement of Lower Dadungeshwar, Dailekh, Ward No. 1, Dullu Municipality.
Family Situation
In general, 95% of families in the Badi community live below the poverty line, and Pooja Badi’s family is no exception. In the past, her parents worked as laborers in India to support their family. When Pooja was very young, her father passed away in India. Later, their home was washed away by a river, forcing them to take shelter at a relative’s house in the same village.
Due to the family’s poor economic condition and her husband’s passing, Pooja’s mother faced significant hardships in raising her children and managing the household. As an uneducated woman from the Badi community, she struggled to find employment, ultimately returning to India for work. She left her young children in the care of relatives, hoping they would receive proper care. She continues to work as a laborer in India to this day.
Previous Situation
After their mother left for work in India, Pooja and her siblings endured many hardships, often struggling to find food. During this difficult time, social activist Hikmat Bahadur Badi took in 3-year-old Pooja and her 5-year-old brother, Sagar Badi, and cared for them for three years.
To provide Pooja with a good education, Hikmat Badi arranged for her to live and study in Kathmandu while also ensuring that her brother received an education in Surkhet. Pooja studied in Kathmandu until the 6th grade. Then, in 2073 (2016), Hikmat established a hostel that has since provided shelter, food, and education to Pooja, her brother, and other orphaned children from the Badi community. In 2079 (2022), Pooja successfully passed the School Leaving Certificate (S.L.C.) examination.
Current Situation
After completing her S.L.C., Hikmat Badi enrolled Pooja in the B.A. program at Yogi Narhari Nath Campus in Surkhet, where she is currently in her second year. Meanwhile, her brother, Sagar Badi, now 20 years old, has purchased his own auto-rickshaw and is leading a stable life.
Future Plan
Seventeen-year-old Pooja Badi is happily residing at the children’s protection center (hostel) operated by Badi Sorkar Manch Nepal in Surkhet. After completing her B.A. studies, she plans to pursue further education abroad. She aspires to return to Nepal as a skilled healthcare worker and dedicate herself to serving the needy and orphaned in collaboration with Badi Sorkar Manch Nepal. Expressing her gratitude, Pooja says, “I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to Badi Sorkar Manch Nepal, social activist Hikmat Uncle, and his family for helping me reach this point.” She adds, “If given the opportunity, we can progress just like others. Instead of pitying the Badi community, we need opportunities to grow.”
