Since CYF started at the end of 2008, Haushala has kept herself busy finding sponsors, networking, and organizing activities for her children.
With 30 underprivileged children who are currently benefiting from the young and active non-governmental organization, CYF is a testament to the hard work of Haushala and her team.
“I’m a very social person. I love all kinds of music. I’m friendly. I think I’m quite honest and I love old vintage things,” she says, describing herself. But there is much more to her that an outsider would not see when she is busy at the NGO.[break]
Republica talked to her about what her life is like outside of work.
What do you do in your free time?
When I have free time, I like to go out with friends and my boyfriend. We both love traveling, so we go for long bike rides out of Kathmandu to discover new places and new roads. For the last year, I’ve also started teaching personality development courses at various institutions. I’m also involved in a small show with friends to display clothes - it’s not a fashion show but for people who love fashion to design and put ensembles together. My collection is mostly old and vintage things. I love old stuff!
Where are your favorite places to go?
There’s not much to do in Kathmandu. I don’t like the city. I prefer the Jawlakhel area because it’s more relaxed. My favorite places are outside the Valley: I frequently go to Godavari and Hattiban but I love Pokhara and Dhading. I’m also in Bhaktapur all the time since that’s where the children we support are.
What’s the most challenging part of your life?
The hardest part is trying to balance everything - work, family, friends, and boyfriend. It’s really hard! But I’ve learnt that it comes with time, and slowly eventually everything falls into place. Other than that, people also judge me a lot for the publicity I get. I’m a social worker, but I’m young and I like going out and dressing up. People forget you’re just a human being; they’re always looking to scrutinize you.
What’s most rewarding about what you do?
When the kids say “Thank you” and smile and start cracking jokes! I’m usually strict but when they can relax and joke around with me, when I see the kids are happy and they’re smiling and playing, at the end of the day I know I did my work - that’s what’s most rewarding.
That’s what I believe in. If you do something you love, you don’t mind the crazy hours, or the stress, because it’s not about the money, you’re doing something you love.
What are your plans for the future?
I really want to stay here in Nepal. I don’t know if this will come true, but my dream would be to travel around Nepal on a bike with my boyfriend. We’d have a flag of the organization and I’d have stuffs like stationery and toys to give to kids. I want to do that because it’d be a hobby and also for CYF.
I’ll probably stick to CYF for a long time. I’ve always liked children and I’m more comfortable with kids than adults. The future plan of the organization is to build a school just for underprivileged kids. We’d want to build a school with a difference so that kids have a place to learn and have opportunities that even we didn’t have when we were growing up.
We want to utilize Nepali youth to be involved with these kids. There are many people who are musicians, artists, poets - people who have come out of the box of being just doctors. We’d want them to talk to the kids about their profession.
What would you say to young people who are looking to start their lives?
Believe in what you’re doing and trust that you can do it. Be strong. It’s all in you, you’re the one who’d either be going to make it on break it. Eventually, at the end of the day, you’re the one going to be dealing with everything. So yes, believe in what you’re doing and have faith in yourself!
For more information on Children and Youth First and how you can sponsor a child, visit www.cyfnepal.org
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