After the government reduced the services and facilities it had been providing for freed Kamlaris, those who were living in hostels and continuing their studies have now been pushed into difficulty.
Freed Kamlaris from parentless and ultra-poor families have been living and studying in the Lavajuni Hostel at Narti, Lamahi Municipality-3. However, after the government cut the services and facilities it had been providing, the freed Kamlaris living there are finding it difficult to study and eat, according to Hiramoti Chaudhary, central chairperson of the Freed Kamlari Development Forum.
“The girls living in the hostel are facing many problems,” Chairperson Chaudhary said. “Our organisation has no resources. Some donor agencies have helped with warm clothes and educational materials, but there is a problem with food and ration.”
According to her, the freed Kamlaris have been continuing to live and study in the hostel by bringing rice and lentils with the help of their relatives.
She stated that, for the past three years, the government has stopped the scholarships and the services and facilities for those staying in hostels that it had been providing for freed Kamlaris. Previously, the government had been providing scholarships of 1,500 rupees for the basic level, 1,800 rupees for the secondary level, 5,000 rupees for Plus Two, and up to 10,000 rupees for studies up to the bachelor’s level.
Similarly, those staying in hostels used to receive monthly support of 4,000 rupees, but now all of this has been cut, she said.
Kriti Chaudhary from Sukaural, Ward 11 of Tulsipur Sub-metropolitan City, has been living and studying in the Lavajuni Hostel and is pursuing her bachelor’s level studies at Deukhuri Multiple Campus in Lamahi. “I received a scholarship up to Plus Two, but now I do not,” she said. “After the scholarship stopped, it has become difficult to continue my studies. Even though there is a hostel to stay in, I have to manage all other expenses by myself.”
Similarly, Asha Chaudhary from Tulsipur is facing the same hardship. Asha, who is studying in the fourth semester of BBS, said, “After the government stopped the scholarship and hostel facilities, there has been a problem in continuing my studies.”
According to her, only 10 students are currently staying in the Lavajuni Hostel. “Until four years ago, 131 students used to study here,” she said. “Now we are only 10.”
This hostel was established in the year 2068 for freed Kamlaris who are parentless and economically weak. With the support of the then District Development Committee, Plan Nepal, and the organisation Naif Nepal, a two-storey building was constructed. The building has 14 rooms, and arrangements have been in place to accommodate freed Kamlaris from the western Tarai and provide them with an opportunity to study.
According to the Freed Kamlari Development Forum, up to the year 2080, 68 freed Kamlaris had been staying in the hostel.
Meanwhile, Minister for Social Development of Lumbini Province, Janmajay Timilsina, has informed that a budget of 7 crore 50 lakh rupees has been allocated for the education of children from freed Kamlari, ultra-poor, and marginalised communities. “After I became minister, I have allocated scholarships for freed Kamlaris, children from ultra-poor and marginalised communities, and for hostels,” Minister Timilsina said. “If freed Kamlaris have not received it, I will look into it and arrange for it to be sent.”
According to the Freed Kamlari Development Forum, in Lumbini Province alone, 85 freed Kamlaris are studying from the bachelor’s to the master’s level. In Sudurpaschim Province, 42 are studying at the bachelor’s level. Including these, a total of 1,274 freed Kamlaris are studying in schools and campuses across the country.
The Forum has stated that there are about 12,769 freed Kamlaris in five districts: Dang, Banke, and Bardiya of Lumbini Province, and Kailali and Kanchanpur of Sudurpaschim Province.
Scholarship in Nepal Kailali