Devraj

Devraj

At the age of eight, Devraj used to study in class two in the village school in Sindhupalchowk, Kyanglakot, Ward No. 9. He did small chores in the house and grazed the cattle. In between he ran away with his friends with a desire to see Kathmandu. After coming to Kathmandu he didn’t want to study so he began to stay with his elder brother. His brother worked in a carpet factory. His brother tried his best to send Devraj home but he refused. He beat him and scolded him many times but Devraj was adamant. In the end his brother taught him to weave carpets for four months.

After that he began to weave carpets in a proper manner. In the beginning he enjoyed the work and didn’t find anything difficult. His brother took his wages and he got only 500R out of it. He was delighted with the money that he got. He spent it on whatever he felt like. His time was passing off happily. But after two years his brother forced him to return to the village.

In the village he continued to do his old work of grazing animals but his mind was not in it. He tried to persuade his parents to send him to Kathmandu but they didn’t agree. Again he ran away and came to Kathmandu. He began to work in the previous carpet factory. Since he had disobeyed his brother and come, this time his brother didn’t bother about him. After working for a year he began to suffer a little, he used to get sick frequently but his brother did not do anything for him. Earlier he had an interest in weaving carpets and was happy but later it was a compulsion and turned difficult. On top of that he got only 500R and had to work at night also. They had to get up early to begin work and the food was poor, but he was forced to spend his days there.

In between he met Sir from the Center ‘Our Home’. Sir told him that if he wished to study then they would make arrangements and his future would be good. The proposal for a bright future had come at a difficult time and he agreed. Earlier he had run away from studies but now he vowed to study well and came to the Center on 26th Sept.

After coming to the Center he experienced happiness and comfort. In the village they were poor; in the carpet factory also he had spent his days in agony and compulsion. After coming to the Center he realized what life was. Here they could study independently, play with friends, chat with them and wear clean clothes. Finding himself in such a clean environment, he remembered his old days and thought himself to be fortunate. In the carpet factory they had to wear the same dirty clothes, their hair would be uncombed and their body dirty. 10/12 people had to sleep congested together in the cold ground floor and remembering all these he used to take a breath of relief. He promised not to run away from the Center. He wants to do his S.L.C. from the Center if possible, and to return to the village as a teacher.

Recently the Center had held a miscellaneous program. Some sang, some danced, some recited poetry etc. Devraj also participated in the program and is happy. Some received prizes and all of them got new tracksuits and were delighted. After coming to the Center he forgot his troubles and began to concentrate on his studies.