Stories about children’s days
Yakthumma, 17 year old girl
About Yakthumma’s life
Yakthumma grew up in eastern Nepal, where she lived with her parents, younger brother, and grandmother. Yakthumma is from a middle-class family and her father is a member of a political party. She now lives in Kathmandu with her cousin.
Yakthumma doesn’t have a good relationship with her father. Yakthumma loves playing the guitar, but her father wanted her to become a football player and this caused major problems in their relationship.
A horrible experience – Yakthumma was assaulted on her way home from work
I sometimes get to work at 8 a.m. I have responsibility for the cash counter and the owner has also given me a key so I can open and close the business
The dream – singing and playing the guitar
Yakthumma came to Kathmandu to pursue her dream of being a guitarist. She has a YouTube channel where she uploads her music.
When Yakthumma lived at home, she used to play the guitar in a restaurant without her father knowing. She was 15 at the time. When he found out he was furious. Yakthumma’s mother then helped her to travel to Kathmandu so that she could follow her dreams.
“I study at night after returning from work. I feel happy when I understand the chapters in my course book.”
Outside Yakthumma’s workplace
Streets near work
In March 2023 Yakthumma documented a typical day in her life. After eating her breakfast she leaves for work, where she remains until 8pm. She eats at home at 9pm before doing some housework and an hour of online study. Then she plays games on her phone before going to bed.
Yakthumma in her workplace
Yakthumma found her job in the massage and spa venue through a female customer who used to come to the restaurant where she once played guitar. They started chatting online and the customer told Yakthumma that she could earn better money working at a massage and spa than playing the guitar. Three months later, Yakthumma started working at the same place as her friend.
Interior of massage venue
Yakthumma’s day
Yakthumma’s experience
I am not a morning person. My cousin makes my breakfast and then I go to work.
Researcher’s experience
Yakthumma does not want to show us her home. She has not told her family, friends or neighbours that she works in a massage and spa venue, and she wants to maintain her privacy.
The bridge where Yakthumma was assaulted
Yakthumma’s experience
Usually, I get a Patho bike (a ride-share app) to work. But today I asked my uncle to drop me at work. It is a 10-minute bike ride from home to work. Once I was harassed on the bridge when I was walking soI have stopped walking there alone.
Researcher’s experience
Yakthumma’s journey to work is along a river-side road. There is an alternative, shorter route but it is through unlit, quiet streets.
Yakthumma is worried that if neighbours see us accompanying her, they will guess the nature of her work. So we keep our distance.
Being followed on social media by customers is overwhelming at times
Yakthumma’s experience
I’m waiting for customers. I normally serve two or three people a day. We are paid depending on the customers we serve. Today I will only earn about NPR 1,300 (USD 10).
The earliest I get to work is 8 a.m. I have responsibility for looking after the cash counter and I have a key to the venue.
Researcher’s experience
Yakthumma is the only minor in her workplace. She is busier in the evening than in the daytime.
Customers approach Yakthumma through social sites. They usually chat online then visit her at the spa and massage venue. Sometimes they propose intimate relations, which Yakthumma rejects. She suggests at first that this does not bother her and that she can easily shrug off such behaviour, but she actually finds the abuse, as well as the (customers) following her online very stressful.
Yakthumma has earned the trust of her boss, evidenced by her various responsibilities, such as looking after the cash counter.
Travelling by motorbike
Yakthumma’s experience
I was feeling hungry. After lunch I feel better.
All the people at work are older than me. Most of the time we have fun together. We sing and dance.
Researcher’s experience
Yakthumma seems to enjoy her working environment. All her colleagues are friendly with her. They eat their lunch together.
Yakthumma’s experience
We eat dinner and I help my cousin to wash the dishes.
I feel tired.
During my period it is more difficult. I don’t want to do anything except sleep. But that is not possible.
Researcher’s experience
Usually, Yakthumma returns home at around 8 pm. But if there are lots of customers she stays at work until later.
Yakthumma’s experience
I study at night after returning from work. I feel happy when I understand the lessons in my course book. I’m on a Facebook group where I connect with others studying the same course. Tonight I find it hard and I’m irritable.
Researcher’s experience
Yakthumma still loves to play the guitar, but she now only has time for this when she is back from work and has completed her online studies. She is motivated to study but only because she believes that if she gets some academic qualifications she can pursue her dreams again. Yakthumma finds that she is not playing the guitar very often these days.
Explore Yakthumma’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.