Stories about children’s days
Nisha, 16 year old girl
About Nisha’s life
Nisha works in her family’s khaja ghar (informal eatery) in Kathmandu. Nisha, her parents and her little brother live above the khaja ghar.
Nisha’s family come from a neighbouring district of Kathmandu. Nisha’s mother used to work in a factory and her father used to work as a chef but during the COVID-19 pandemic her father’s salary was reduced and her mother had just given birth to her brother, so it became very hard for them to manage. Nisha approached a local NGO who then supported the family to open their own khaja ghar.
Serving customers
Since our khaja ghar is a family-run business most people come here to eat and they don’t misbehave but there are still some customers who make me feel uncomfortable.
The neighbourhood
Nisha was only 13 when she started helping her parents in the khaja ghar.
She and her parents are the only workers, and it is their only source of income. The khaja ghar is not formally registered but it is operating well – there are lots of regular customers and it is packed during the lunch hour and in the evening. The monthly profit is up to NPR. 70,000 (US$ 532). The family pay NPR 30,000 (US$ 228) in rent for the khaja ghar plus the rooms above that they live in.
I can’t do much work today because I’m sick and I have a stomach-ache
Stomach pain
A busy day combining school and working
In November 2022, Nisha recorded her daily routine and her day-to-day experiences.
The day she documents is a busy one as always – she is a bit unwell with a stomach-ache, brought on by hunger, but she performs all her jobs, including going to college before working at the khaja ghar and collecting her brother from pre-school, and feeding and playing with him.
Nisha in her workplace
Nisha does the jobs of waiter, cook, cleaner and dishwasher. She is not paid a wage. She is given around NPR 500 (US $4) per month in pocket money. Nisha is currently studying business studies and the yearly fee is around NPR 35,000 (US $266). She is also taking a computer course and has received support from an NGO to do a graphic design course.
During her long day working at the khaja ghar, Nisha has to deliver food to multiple locations nearby. Her work is hectic from lunch until evening. She gets some time for doing homework before going to bed.
Nisha has multiple responsibilities – as a student, worker and carer – at a very young age. She is smart and can successfully coordinate with support agencies like NGOs. She is keen to be a graphic designer and to leave working in khaja ghars behind her.
Inside the khaja ghar
Nisha’s day
Nisha’s experience
I don’t like getting up early in the morning as it is very cold.
Researcher’s experience
Nisha is unwell, she is suffering from a stomach ache. Her mother asked her to take a rest. But Nisha wants to carry out her duties as normal as she knows that if she takes a rest, it will be too hard for her mother to handle everything at the khaja ghar.
Nisha’s experience
I am motivated to study and learn new things. It’s fun to study. The teacher didn’t show up today though, so we didn’t start a new chapter. We are revising an old chapter. I feel happy that I get to learn and be with friends but I feel a bit unwell because I am hungry and haven’t had time to eat anything since this morning.
Nisha’s experience
I get home soon after classes are over because my college is nearby. But today, the journey feels long as I am not feeling well and am very hungry. I feel sick and light-headed while walking.
The neighbourhood
Nisha’s experience
My father is the main cook in the khaja ghar. My mother and I are responsible for cleaning, serving, and washing dishes. After returning from college I almost immediately start working in the khaja ghar. I mostly do all the deliveries and wash the dishes by myself. There is not much work in the morning, so I also learn how to cook.
I am serving snacks to the customers. They are well behaved so I feel comfortable. There are some customers who stare at me but I don’t serve them – I ask my father or mother to serve them.
I don’t like washing the dishes because the water is very cold.
I can’t do much work because I’m sick and I have a stomach ache. I feel tired and I haven’t been able to focus on work.
There are only a few customers so I can go home early.
Researcher’s experience
Nisha makes burgers, puts sauce in bottles, cleans tables and washes dishes.
She says that a customer is staring at her. She seems irritated by this but says she cannot do anything about it.
Nisha works very hard.
Nisha’s brother’s school
Nisha’s experience
I have a younger brother who is three years old. As there are few customers today I go and fetch my brother from school without any problems.
I take him upstairs and play with him and feed him before coming back down to the khaja ghar to work.
Researcher’s experience
Nisha feels much better when she gets home as she gets to eat and take a rest. This is the first time we have seen Nisha eat today. She does some notes for college, it is relatively quiet in her home.
A local street
Nisha’s experience
I serve food to customers. I give them additional portions whenever they ask. I feel good because the customers are behaving well with me.
When delivering food, there are familiar places where I feel fine going but while if I’m delivering to new places I get a bit scared.
I am not feeling very well because there are lots of dishes to wash, however my mother later helps me and makes me feel at ease.
Researcher’s experience
Nisha goes to deliver food orders to different people. There is a school nearby and parents order food from her khaja ghar for their children. She doesn’t like going to buy groceries. Usually her parents do this task.
Homework
Nisha’s experience
Work during the day is usually hectic so we don’t usually have our dinner until after 9pm.
I feel at ease when I get to eat with everyone in my family.
All of us are so tired by this time and we cannot do any more work.
I study after eating and then go to bed at around 11 pm.
Researcher’s experience
Nisha has a long day but still completes her homework.
She gets six hours sleep each night, which doesn’t seem enough for a child who is unwell.
Nisha doesn’t enjoy her work. She likes working with computers and aspires to be a graphic designer. She wants to earn money and build a good future for her parents.
Explore Nisha’s journey
Rama, 17, supports her family by working as a beautician in the daytime and as a dancer in a dance bar at night.
Supriya, 16, works in a party palace (party venue) from 5pm until midnight.
Pema, 15, works in events catering in the afternoons and evenings, after going to college in the morning.
Khem, 17, has worked for a relative in a khaja ghar (small eatery) since he was ten years old.