You must have watched the above video earlier this year. The viral video was taken by Prashuma Bahing in May when she along with her team of AYON had visited Falamsanghu, Sindhupalchok to distribute the relief materials to the earthquake victims. The video of her short conversation with Manita BK, an eight year old quake survivor, had spread like wildfire after she posted it on her personal Facebook handle on May 10. It left all the people, and mostly the urbanites, shocked as it was hard to believe that such caste discrimination still exists in our society, that too during such crucial times when it’s the matter of life and death. It was painful to see how a child so young along with her younger siblings and other family members had to go through such difficult circumstances when they didn’t have a roof to take shelter in and nothing to eat. What broke us more was how she had to whisper in fear that if someone hears her talking about the discrimination, she and her family might have to go through some more troubles. We all shed tears when we heard this little girl talk about such big issues in such a manner that it seemed like it doesn’t even bother her anymore as she has been living in such circumstances forever and she has got used to it. Among all those difficulties, one thing she desired of was to go to Kathmandu and live a good life. And after all these months, we are happy to tell you that she is actually living her dreams.

According to Prashuma Bahing who has been consisitently counselling and helping Manita since they met, with the joint efforts of Dhruba Thapa Smriti Pratisthan and the school, she is currently studying in grade 1 in United Academy in Lalitpur. She has been provided with the scholarship upto higher secondary education along with all the facilities in the hostel. Talking with NeoStuffs over phone, Manita told us that she is very happy and is studying well. She is enjoying her school and has made some good friends. When asked what she would like to become when she grows up, “I love to sing. I want to become a singer”, she answered.

This little girl teaches us some serious life lessons and inspires us not to lose hope and never give up. We’ll leave you with some of her photographs.