Sunita Tamang : A Mother’s journey for the betterment of daughters

Sunita Tamang, a fragile woman with a heart as strong as the mountains she once helped build, has lived a life marked by hardship and sorrow. Illiterate, yet determined, Sunita learned to sign her name but found that this small ability wasn’t enough to secure a decent job in Pokhara. Desperate to feed her two daughters, she took on tiring work, carrying bricks and sand to build houses and buildings. The work was backbreaking, especially for someone who had been physically weak since childhood, but Sunita had no choice. She had to provide for her children.

The wages were insufficient, and the inequality was unpleasant. Men were paid more than women, and Sunita often returned home with barely enough to feed her daughters. With no one to help, she took her little girls to the construction sites, not wanting to leave them alone. The sight of Sunita, frail yet fierce, carrying heavy loads with her daughters by her side, was a testament to a mother’s love and sacrifice.

Her life had taken a dark turn after 2065. Her marriage, which had already been filled with difficulties, fell apart when her husband left her. He wanted a son, and when Sunita gave birth to two daughters instead, he abandoned them all. Left to look after herself and her children, Sunita faced the world alone. The years that followed were filled with pain and struggle, as she fought to keep her daughters safe and fed.

But even in the darkest of times, hope has a way of finding its way into the most broken of hearts. Sunita’s life began to change when she heard about Yes Helping Hands through a friend. The prospect of a stable job, training, and the chance to learn a skill was a light in her otherwise dark world.

When Sunita joined Yes Helping Hands, she received three months of free training along with a food allowance. For the first time in years, she felt a glimmer of happiness. The environment was supportive, motivating, and filled with people who, like her, had faced immense challenges in life. She found support in their shared experiences and strength in their stories.

Sunita said.” She was assigned to hand knitting, a craft she quickly mastered.” She now makes 7-8 sweaters a day, her hands weaving warmth and love into every stitch. For the past nine months, she has been a part of the Yes Helping Hands family, earning enough to support her daughters and feeling a sense of pride she never thought possible.

Sunita’s journey has been one of unimaginable hardship, but also of resilience and strength. She is deeply grateful to Yes Helping Hands for providing her with a platform to learn, earn, and grow in an environment that is not just a workplace, but a community of support and inspiration.

Sunita’s advice to others is simple yet profound: if you have a skill, don’t depend on others for your livelihood. Her life is a testament to this truth, and she is proud to be part of an organization that empowers individuals to stand on their own feet.

Sunita Tamang’s story is one of a mother’s love, a woman’s strength, and the power of hope in the face of adversity. She has faced the worst that life could throw at her, and yet, she has emerged stronger, prouder, and more determined than ever to build a better future for herself and her daughters.