07 Jun Anjali Giri – SEE Student – Case Study
Marks Obtained in SEE: B+
Anjali is in first row with black and white strap shirt
Photo taken after Self Defense Session
My name is Anjali Giri and I am 17 years old. My home town is in Lamjung District which lies in northern part of Nepal. My father abandoned us when I was young and since then he has never returned. My mother tells me he got married to some other women. Our mother took our family of four and migrated to the capital city Kathmandu. Since my father left us when I was still young I never got to experience a father’s love and care. We faced many hardships and difficulties after we came to Kathmandu. My mother after moving here found a man and got settled with him. My step-father along with my mother do daily wage labor and has been supporting the family.
My step father has ill habits and there are instances where he misbehaves with me. He has sexually abused me in the past despite him being my guardian. My mother tries to intervene and protect me from him. We are compelled to stay under one roof despite such stressful condition because my mother has no other option as living in the city is very expensive.
Growing up I couldn’t lead a normal life as I was being physically and mentally abused. My daily routine was affected due to my step father’s continues abuse and was gradually effecting my performance at school. One day I stumbled upon a team who were advocating for women and girls. I was able to share my situation with them. The team visited us in our slum area and shared with me ideas about self-protection and self-confidence. They also assisted me in reaching out for legal centers for my own protection. I attended sessions and classes at the center which helped me build my self-confidence. I felt less threatened and could share my feelings with my close friends.
I came in contact with Milijuli Samaj Nepal (MSN) through an organization called Voice of Children.MSN provided me with the scholarship to continue my study. This year I was able to complete my Secondary Education Examination (SEE) with good grades. Milijuli Samaj Nepal has been supporting my tuition fees since my 6th grade. I was also able to attend seminars and sessions organized by Milijuli Samaj Nepal which dealt with counseling, self-defense training, Cyber Crime awareness and Child Sexual Abuse. MSN staff frequently visit us in our home for moral support.
I enrolled myself in a youth group which was formed by Milijuli Samaj Nepal (MSN) where I could share my thoughts and have a quality time with my friends. It helped me enhance my social skills which also helped me in my studies. MSN and PMSCCL both the organization have always encouraged me to persue my college education. It has been my mother’s dream to see me graduate college. Hopefully after I complete my college which is another 5 more years, I will be competent enough to look for jobs and be able to support my family and my siblings.
Milijuli Samaj Nepal and Pratibaddha Milijuli Saving and Credit Cooperative LTD during the pandemic lockdown managed to provide us with food ration, face mask, hygiene product since our family was unable to purchase any as daily wage job was scarce and my mother had no earnings. We received the relief support at a crisis situation and we are thankful towards MSN. The support from them kept our family going during the month of July 2020.
I got opportunity to talk with one another organization, who taught me about physical violence and where I can file a complaint if needed. It helped me a lot to build my self-confidence. Now I have the knowledge and courage to speak out if anything happens to me. I can finally say I can protect myself from my step father too.
Collected by Pramila Badikar 2077.5.5