In Kankasundari-3 Lumduwa Lum, Jumla, transport vehicles are hardly available when needed. In this place, only 2/3 transport vehicles are available but do not run regularly, remaining idle for most of the month. Even a vehicle that has been running for a few months is not safe when it is driven without a driver’s license. Lali Jang Budha (28 years old) is a local resident and the only young, licensed driver who drives the transport vehicle for most of the year.
He studied in the village till 10th grade and spent about 8 years in India before COVID. Due to his low education and skills, he used to support his family of four (1 wife and 2 daughters) by working as a wage laborer, selling goods from door to door, and selling herbs while he was in India. He was forced to return home as it became difficult to live and earn after COVID. He was distressed when his source of income was cut off. At the same time, he joined the Srijana project to see if there was a job after learning some skills in his own village.
He took training in driving large vehicles according to his interests. With the help of the project, he learned to drive, then he went to Nepalganj and managed to get a driver’s license. After returning to the village with a driver’s license, he got a job driving a large transport vehicle carrying goods. The vehicle that he drives belongs to the village police officer, Shamsher Budha.
It has been about a year since he started driving regularly. He has been transporting Mugu from his village, municipality, and other places in the district. He earns more than Rs 20,000 per month. He says, “The owner will pay if the vehicle earns; as the vehicle doesn’t run much in winter, the owner can’t pay.” He has experienced that other months except winter get more orders for transport. He feels that during the period of February–June, when the transport vehicle runs a lot, the vehicle earns a profit of up to one and a half lakh per month.
In winter, as the vehicle does not run much, he gets involved in other work. He gets busy farming, including barley, millet, wheat, apples, and herbs. Since he is getting to know many people with the driving work, he believes that in the future he will also get an order for the transport vehicle in the winter as well. However, “If I could drive a small car, I would be engaged in driving throughout the year,” he says.
Lali Jung, who spent his family’s expenses in India while living away from his family, is happy to learn driving skills at his own place and earn a living by getting a job in the village. He says, “The help of the Sirjana project opened my eyes, whereas when I came back from India, I had imagined that I would just remain unemployed here, but luckily I learned a skill and secured a job in my own place.” His skills have motivated him. He is optimistic that his village is gradually expanding, and the transport work will also increase gradually.
As the proverb says, “one shouldn’t underestimate the gravity of any situation. Sometimes the little things spark hope in life. By awakening his inner will power, Lali Jang is living independently in his own place and happily living with his family. When the inner power is awakened, it will inspire anyone to use their skills and become employed in their own place.
