Stories about children’s days
Tisha, 17 year old girl
About Tisha’s life
Tisha came to Kathmandu with her aunt four years ago, when she was 13. She is an only child, and her parents remain in Western Nepal. Tisha left her village because there wasn’t any option there for her to continue her studies. Her parents, who are completely dependent on agriculture for work, decided to send her to Kathmandu. After coming to Kathmandu, Tisha started to work at the khaja ghar owned by her aunt.
Tisha left her parents in Western Nepal to come to study in Kathmandu
My aunt just left and now it’s my responsibility to take care of everything in the khaja ghar and all the customers
Tisha faces a lot of pressure at work and in her life
Each day, after attending college from 6am, she starts work at 11am and works until 8.30pm or sometimes later, depending on when customers come.
Tisha records her experiences as she goes about her day on 30th July, 2022. She attends college for three hours then works for ten hours at the khaja ghar, before walking home alone late at night. She has to navigate a lot of work pressure, questions from customers and harassment from drunk men on the way home.
Interior of khaja ghar and child in kitchen with owner
Cooked food in a khaja ghar
“I have to manage so many tasks. I have to cook the food and I have to serve the customers.”
Tisha in her workplace
At the khaja ghar Tisha does a huge variety of tasks, one could say she is basically running the place – she is busy all day cleaning, cooking, serving customers, making alcohol, going to shop for produce and handling the counter when her aunt is not around.
Tisha does not receive pay for her work, instead her aunt is paying for her educational expenses. Whenever Tisha gets a spare moment, she uses her mobile phone to study.
Dried meat for sale
Sometimes I miss the village. If there had been a good school there, I would not have left my parents and friends
Tisha’s day
Tisha’s experience
I am getting ready for college, I feel OK.
Researcher’s experience
She lives with her aunt as the college is near to her house. She works for another aunt who owns, and lives in, the khaja ghar.
Higher education is not available to all in the countryside
Tisha’s experience
I feel good at college because I am with my friends and I enjoy my own time. I get to learn many things. After all, I left my village and my parents to pursue my education.
Researcher’s experience
Tisha leaves for college at 5:50 am. Her classes start at 6 am. She enjoys the company of her friends while she is there. Her college is near to her home. She enjoys learning alongside friends.
Khaja ghar street scene
Tisha’s experience
I walk with my friends on the way home. It feels good to be with them. I feel happy.
Researcher’s experience
On the way home Tisha goes through a very busy area with lots of movement of people and vehicles. She walks fast. Tisha says she is used to walking.
Tisha’s experience
I am OK walking along these streets, as I am familiar with the people around here. It takes about 30 minutes for me to walk to my khaja ghar. I walk along this road every day and I feel comfortable.
Child making tea in a khaja ghar
Tisha’s experience
There aren’t any customers right now and I have some free time, so I am using my phone to study. Whenever I get any leisure time, I like to do this.
Then I make tea for a regular customer. I feel OK. Then I’m busy cleaning the tables and washing the dishes.
I know how to do all the cooking. I can manage everything alone, but when there are many customers and I have to handle it all, from the cash counter to the cooking and serving, I feel overwhelmed.
I also feel unsafe with new, unknown customers, because they ask me a lot of questions, which feels to me like harassment.
Researcher’s experience
Tisha looks after the khajar ghar. She works continuously. She feels fine doing all the tasks but when she is alone and her aunt is not around, she feels stressed by managing many multiple responsibilities at the same time. Tisha has no problem serving regular customers who she knows but finds it more difficult serving new customers. Some run off without paying for their food and some have drunken fights.
Tisha’s experience
I am going home. I feel anxious as it is already dark and sometimes I encounter people who harass me. There are drunk people walking around at this time of night.The lane I am passing through is dark and I feel scared. I walk very fast.
Researcher’s experience
It takes around half an hour to reach Tisha’s room from the khaja ghar She walks alone, through dark alleyways. She encounters some drunk men who harass her.
Tisha’s experience
I had a busy day today. I am tired, but I am in my bed now. I search on my phone for something related to my classes. My phone has made life easier for me. Now I will sleep.
Explore Tisha’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.