Help Kumar Build His Family Home
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“If your heart is good, life is good.” That’s something my friend Kumar once told me.
My wife and I met Kumar about two years ago. We’d just moved to Kathmandu, Nepal to work at an international school. Kumar was one of the first Nepalis we met. He picked us up every day, and he drove as all over the city. Kumar was reliable. He always smiled and laughed a lot too. We soon became friends. We met Kumar’s family and celebrated the birth of his third child. We even helped him buy a new taxi (a small loan, which he faithfully paid back over the course of several months).
And then we said goodbye, our time in Nepal cut short by circumstances beyond our control. We kept in touch with Kumar. We'd always hoped that someday we’d be able to repay him for all his kindness. I knew that here was a good man—hardworking and honest and decent.
Now Kumar needs help. He needs at least $2,000 to finish building a second story on his family home. He began the project back in October, but has since run into financial difficulties. Now he now risks being penalized by the government if he can't complete construction by March. If he can't pay the fine, he risks the government demolishing his home!
Construction under way on Kumar's family home.
Kumar supports 11 dependents—his parents, his wife and three children, and his brother’s family, including two children—all on a taxi driver’s income. They they all live together in their small, one-story home. The second floor would really improve the living situation.
Being the dutiful, eldest son in a traditional Nepali family, Kumar pays all the bills. He pays for food, clothing, all the basic necessities. He pays school tuition for his children, his brother’s children too. He pays his elderly parents' medical bills. Somehow he's also found a way to adopt four street dogs—Kumar has a huge heart. I have no idea how he affords to take care of so many people (and animals), but he does so faithfully, without a whisper of discontent. It’s one of the many things I admire about him.
Kumar originally asked me for a loan to help complete construction. His plan was to repay us in two years. He plans to do this by selling one of his two taxis, but this would put his brother out of a job and lead to future financial hardships. “What to do?” Kumar told me. “I have no other choice.”
A blessing for the taxi. Kumar (right) and his brother Raju.
My wife and I are doing what we can to help Kumar, but we’re living on a single teacher’s salary, and we're in the midst of moving back overseas again. We simply can't do it alone. And we dont want him to sell his taxi to pay us back. This would just create another hardship for his family. That’s why we need your help.
Please help us help Kumar. Your donation will ease his financial burden, greatly improve his family's living conditions, and help to ensure their future well-being.
Kumar with his family (his wife, two of his children, and his parents).
My wife and I met Kumar about two years ago. We’d just moved to Kathmandu, Nepal to work at an international school. Kumar was one of the first Nepalis we met. He picked us up every day, and he drove as all over the city. Kumar was reliable. He always smiled and laughed a lot too. We soon became friends. We met Kumar’s family and celebrated the birth of his third child. We even helped him buy a new taxi (a small loan, which he faithfully paid back over the course of several months).
And then we said goodbye, our time in Nepal cut short by circumstances beyond our control. We kept in touch with Kumar. We'd always hoped that someday we’d be able to repay him for all his kindness. I knew that here was a good man—hardworking and honest and decent.
Now Kumar needs help. He needs at least $2,000 to finish building a second story on his family home. He began the project back in October, but has since run into financial difficulties. Now he now risks being penalized by the government if he can't complete construction by March. If he can't pay the fine, he risks the government demolishing his home!
Construction under way on Kumar's family home. Kumar supports 11 dependents—his parents, his wife and three children, and his brother’s family, including two children—all on a taxi driver’s income. They they all live together in their small, one-story home. The second floor would really improve the living situation.
Being the dutiful, eldest son in a traditional Nepali family, Kumar pays all the bills. He pays for food, clothing, all the basic necessities. He pays school tuition for his children, his brother’s children too. He pays his elderly parents' medical bills. Somehow he's also found a way to adopt four street dogs—Kumar has a huge heart. I have no idea how he affords to take care of so many people (and animals), but he does so faithfully, without a whisper of discontent. It’s one of the many things I admire about him.
Kumar originally asked me for a loan to help complete construction. His plan was to repay us in two years. He plans to do this by selling one of his two taxis, but this would put his brother out of a job and lead to future financial hardships. “What to do?” Kumar told me. “I have no other choice.”
A blessing for the taxi. Kumar (right) and his brother Raju.My wife and I are doing what we can to help Kumar, but we’re living on a single teacher’s salary, and we're in the midst of moving back overseas again. We simply can't do it alone. And we dont want him to sell his taxi to pay us back. This would just create another hardship for his family. That’s why we need your help.
Please help us help Kumar. Your donation will ease his financial burden, greatly improve his family's living conditions, and help to ensure their future well-being.
Kumar with his family (his wife, two of his children, and his parents).Organizer
Mj Sundy
Organizer
Cazenovia, NY
