Govinda |
SMD's other seciruty guard and Govinda |
Govinda
Great News! Govinda's medical costs are fully sponsored!
Security is an issue in Nepal, so SMD has several guards. Two of our guards who work on the vehicle gate are subcontracted from a local security company and have been working at SMD for about four years.The company has no health coverage for employees.
Both guards are popular with the children. The kids were deeply concerned when one of the guards was suddenly taken ill. One of our girls wrote this story, with the hope that someone would be inspired to help.
Govinda
One of our school gate keepers is Govinda Luitel from Morang District. He is 54 years old. He was a security guard at an office in Thapathali (on the other side of Kathmandu). Then he was sent to be a guard here at our school by his company, Nissan Security Office.
He is a father of two sons and a daughter. His children are all in their mid 20s. The family condition is very poor. Govinda is the only one who earns for everyone in the family, through his job as a security guard.
Very early one morning, in October, Govinda suffered from a heart attack. Our gardener saw that Govinda was sick, so he ran get our health worker, Ms. Bal Kumari. That saved Govinda’s life, but it was a tense time, because it was a Maoist bandh (strike). Ambulances don’t run. We tried to take him to the heart hospital, but our jeep was stopped. Somehow, he survived.
He had to have serious treatment in ICU when he finally got to the heart hospital. His salary is Rs6800/month (less than $100) but his medical bills are Rs 25,000 (about $340). So right now he owes a huge debts to some people he borrowed the money from.
When he was asked what he feels about smd. He said, " SMD School is the best school I have seen so far, because it provides very good Education, Healthcare, Food and Everything for the kids. I feel very fortunate and happy to have opportunity to work here." His wish for SMD is that the school remains happy like now forever.
Story by Ngawang Bhuti B352
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