I couldn’t hold back my tears after reading this post on Dasho Nima Tshering's Face book wall. So with his permission
I am sharing it on my blog as a “symbol of hope and courage.”
-Written by Dasho Nima Tshering
I wrote it down just as
I listened to her: " I AM Chimi Yuden from very Remote Village of
Nabji in Trongsa. I am on the verge of dropping out from school due to
financial constraints as my mother passed away and my father is chronically
sick. I have no able member of the family to support me as all six of us,
children, are dependents. We are 3 sisters and 3 brothers. We are all
vulnerable. We are poor. When I was 9 years Old in 2006. I came to
Thimphu as a babysitter since my parents could not afford to JUST CAN NOT HAVE ME
to school. My mother passed away in 2008 and my father has always been
chronically sick. I worked as babysitter for 3 years. In 2011 when I
was 14 years old I forced my father to Let Me Go to school but he did not listen
to what I requested to him rather he always kept on telling me to marry somebody
and help him and younger brothers and sisters at home. But I did not
Listen to him since I AM very interested to Study. Other school going Children
like to become Somebody in My Future. With all of My Effort and Effort
with My Own, I went to school in 2011 myself. During Vacation and
weekends, I have always been working in somebody's house as a babysitter to
make my school expenses.
Now I have completed
Class Four and going to Class Five at Nabji Community Primary School since I
was double promoted twice for my academic excellence. I was topping all my
classes. In 2011, I topped class PP in mid-term examination by big margin
so the school double promoted me to class I. In 2012, I topped class II
mid-term examination by big margin so again the school double promoted me to
class III. But now as I go up higher classes, school expenses are also
getting more and it's beyond my means even if I babysit and study. I am
now on the verge of dropping out and left without any choice if I don't get
help to continue my education to fulfill my dreams and aspirations. I
Promise that I will study very hard and serve My King, Country and People."
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| Image by Dasho Nima Tshering |
Struggles and her story
of courage left me speechless. Therefore, I thought I would seek your
immediate help so that Chimi would not have to negotiate between babysitting
and schooling; after all she had already negotiated and fought hard against
early marriage and teenage pregnancy to go to school without help. It
breaks my heart. What about yours? Vulnerable girls like Chimi are smart,
intelligent, and brave. Babysitting is not for them. Our dream has to
enable not only these but also to Girls Education show them to get opportunities
so that they could path to achieve, pull their potentials in life as Bhutanese
Citizens and responsible global productive citizens. As A Society, we have
to do something. Empirical evidence from studies and hard data show that
heavier load of housework given to girls and the incidence of Early Marriage in
rural Bhutan are some of the reasons that affect Girls'
Education. Preventing early marriage and reducing early teenage pregnancy
are also emerging development challenges for Bhutan. Data show that the
adolescent fertility rate of Bhutan is 47 per 1,000 in 2010, which is more than
twice the east Asia average. This is alarming because it affects both the
health of the nation and the education of the nation. It's a matter of
public policy. We must have Public policies that truly serve the public
better, including Vulnerable Girls like Chimi.
But for now, I want to
introduce Chimi to you so that together you can help Chimi's immediate needs in
a show of "Social Solidarity" for our fellow Human being. Here's
a plan how you can help Chimi: - Chimi Yuden Needs to go back to school by
First Week of February 2014. - Her Rough Expenses for One year (2014),
including clothes, would be around Nu. 10,000 - If more help is
possible, She also has Two younger brothers without support (One going to Class
VII and One going to Class I). Let's say, Nu. 5000 each for two of
them, for the year 2014. Her Younger Sister has already dropped out from
Class II and went to become a NUN due to financial constraints. – So our
Goal 1: Nu. 20,000 for three of them. If not
successful, then our
Goal 2: Nu. 10,000
for Chimi Yuden.
Deadline: January 15,
2014
Inbox me, or call/SMS me
at 17603612 for your support. On January 16 2014, whatever support we
rendered together will be handed over to Chimi Yuden by some of you in a
transparent manner with the Highest Ethical Standards. Contributing and
showing "Social Solidarity" to Protect Chimi's Dreams is more than
Just a small act of kindness on your part. It's more than just a
humanitarian gesture. It would be your subtle statement saying
"No!" to illiteracy, saying "YES!" to girls' education,
saying "NO!" to poverty, saying "Yes!" to human dignity,
saying "No!" to child labour, saying "Yes!" to equal
Opportunity, and much more.
Let Chimi's courage
pursue her Life's Dreams through Education against all odds be a symbol of hope
for vulnerable girls in Bhutan.
-Written by Dasho Nima Tshering
(Share it to increase the
support Base for courageous Chimi. Together, let's keep the flame of hope
alive).
Thank you for your time.
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