Surya Tamang, a man in his late 40’s keeps the environment blissful at Shree Surya School reconstruction site with his instant jokes and jolliness. A father of 6 kids, makes self mockery saying he has given birth to a volley ball team. He shares his life struggles and his long years of emotions tied up with the school as 5 of his older children graduated primary level education from Shree Surya and the youngest is still studying there. He is hopeful about future of his children through education.
When the earthquake shattered their homes and schools in Okharpauwa village at Nuwakot, they were left hopeless. They wished to spend whatever little money they had on feeding the family. Relief, on the other hand, was taking longer time to reach them. “Days were transferred into months and slowly by slowly, we – the community people held each other’s hand and stood up from depression” he says. After settling the immediate needs of food, water, medicines and shelters, their focus was shifted towards their children left at home without a school. For Surya Tamang and many others like him, they were hopeful about future of their children and the community when their kids could go back to school.
Just 2-3 months after the quake, with the help of some other organization, they were able to build a Temporary Learning Center (TLC) for Shree Surya and the kids finally got to resume their education in the rooms made of tarps and bamboos. “At least it was better than having to keep them at home and hampering their learning stage” – he says.
Nepal Rises met him during the assessment of the old school building. He is also the president of the School Management Committee. He is a local farmer and is involved with the project since the beginning and wishes to complete the buildings in July before heavy monsoon disturbs the finishing process. He expresses his love towards Nepal Rises saying that not only the staff of 6 but all of the 17 masons at the construction site are a part of Nepal Rises family. From what we observe, Surya Dai (brother), that’s what we call him, has not changed since our first meeting and always welcomes us with a bigger and brighter smile of his with a NAMASTE!
He shares us his struggles having to raise 6 kids. But as he looks at his grown up kids now, he is satisfied in the efforts he has put in. He further says, “I have done whatever I can to make them educated citizens now it depends on them on how they will drive the wheels of their life. I will still watch over them so that they don’t fall behind”. Some of his older children are studying at Kathmandu perusing their bachelor’s and higher secondary studies. Whenever they come home during weekends, the kids ask him about the progress with the school construction. As of now, he happily replies back “almost over”.
He values education as the pillar towards development and assures to take good care of the school after handover. He also shared us his future concerns to extend the school till secondary level so that the nearby children do not have to walk long distances to pursue education in another school after grade-5. Let us support the thoughts of many such responsible fathers TODAY who are hopeful about future through education.
Join us in this cause by donating at https://www.youcaring.com/nepalrises-shreesuryaschool and help their children grow and learn in peaceful environments without obstacles.
