Meet the Kumals

The Kumal family stands In front of their little shop. Sunil is standing beside his wife Sante.  In front of Sunil is middle daughter Nalina. Sitting between her mother and father is little Sarina, and their oldest daughter, Rojina, is on the left. As you can see, the Kumals named their shop after Rojina.

Rojina with customers

Rojina is now old enough to look after the shop when her parents  are busy with other duties.  Rojina, as the oldest, is also in charge of helping her two sisters. She is an excellent student (first in her class) and is being generously supported by one of WELNepal's donors.

All three girls attend a private school. This is especially remarkable considering most parents wouldn't spend money on a top notch education for their daughters. For many, education is still seen as wasted on women. Fortunately, Sunil and Sante feel differently. Sunil's family, back in the remote village of his birth, still urge him to try again for a son, but Sunil tells me that he is proud of his three girls and does not want or need any more children.

Line of shops

The Kumals sleeping space

All five Kumals live in one room in the back of their shop. The pictures tell the story.  As you can see, all five sleep together.  There are a few posters and photos on the bare brick wall. The room is also crowded with shop stock, and since Sunil and Sante need to sell locally-produced liquor to eke out a living, that one room also serves as a bar.  Sunil tells me that there is no drinking allowed in their living quarters until the children have finished their homework. You would be forgiven for wondering where the drinkers even sit! 

When it comes to poverty, the Kumals are not the exception — they are the rule. ALL families that operate rental shops live the same way.

Outhouse

Kumals kitchen

All of the families use the outhouse at the back of the shops and share one water pump that provides drinking and washing water. Sante and the rest of the women go to the river to wash their clothes, which is difficult and time-consuming.

Despite the difficult living conditions, it’s encouraging to see families valuing education above all else — especially when they’re going against the grain and educating women and girls.