Dear Friends,

Step for Subadra

We cannot call a woman a "mother" simply because she has given birth to a child. If someone wants to be a real mother she must care for her baby from the time it is in her womb. After delivery, she must take on the great responsibility for a new life. It is a sad fact that some "mothers" neglect this duty. Some, such as the mother of the child in this story, leave motherhood behind to go away with another husband. Subadra, now aged 12, was not yet 1 year old when her mother deserted her. Soon afterward her father committed suicide, leaving her an orphan. Although they were very poor, Subadra’s grandparents looked after her. Her grandmother took jobs of hard labor in order to keep Subadra fed. When she reached age 5, Subadra was able to fetch firewood and fodder. She also could take care of cows and goats. She began living at the home of her maternal uncle, where she worked in this way.

This story takes place in the area of Manthali, in Makwanpur District, Nepal, where the Community Development and Health Project (CDHP) began working in 1994. Our staff, who rented quarters from Subadra’s uncle, came to know about the little girl and her history. They called her grandparents and encouraged them to send her to school. After a great deal of persuasion, they agreed, and she enrolled in first grade at the local village school. In spite of continued morning and evening chores at her uncle’s house, Subadra managed to become the top student in her class. Regardless of her success, her relatives were uncertain as to how long they could afford to keep her in school.

In 1996 CDHP began providing scholarships for children in our working areas, including Manthali. Scholarship criteria included: intelligence, financial need, and helplessness or disability. Keeping these points in mind, our Manthali team members conducted a survey of Shri Prasiddha Secondary School. They asked teachers, parents and school committee members to ascertain which students filled the scholarship criteria. Among those selected was Subadra. CDHP thereby added a critical step needed for her personal development and her future. From that year on Subadra has received assistance enabling her to purchase her school supplies, books and uniform. She remains an outstanding student.

Subadra recently shared her sentiments with us. She said, "What CDHP has given me is more than the birth given me by my own mother. Now I have been given a chance for a life on this earth. CDHP has enabled me to stand on my own feet. I will not forget this kindness. Rather, I will make it my reason to help others like me. May CDHP touch many lives in the way I have been touched."

Story by Pushpa Maharjan, Community Development Worker, Manthali

Translated by Raju Karki and Jyoti Ellen Collins

Community Development & Health Project, United Mission to Nepal

God bless you!

Ellen "Jyoti" Collins

The 2000 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 146