Suman Mahale , 5 Years old

Why sponsor this child?

Suman is 5 years old and the youngest of 3 siblings. He belongs to one of the poorest families we met in Jhapa. His family lives in a one room straw and mud shed built on land given to them by a restaurant owner. The family does not own any land of their own. Their only source of income is work on river banks where they crush stones with hammers. The work is not consistent and pays in the range of $2.00 per day.

Suman’s parents have to provide free service at the restaurant of their land-owner in exchange for the rent-free land. Suman 3 siblings all work in other cities as domestic workers in other peoples’ homes. Their poor living standard has resulted in poor health and frequent illness for Suman. When they have money, the family spends Rs.12,000 (~$150) for his treatment. Suman’s father feels remorseful for having to send his other children away from the family, but at the same time, he is relieved that they at least get two proper meals everyday. He wishes he could send his kids to school and raise them out of poverty, but he feels helpless.

The family is in dire need of support so Suman can go to school and receive education and nutritional meals, as well as help break the cycle of poverty in his family.