Story 2

Some Offer Paths, Others Set Boundaries That Limit Visibility

A Guiding Light: Console Mission’s Impact on Bibek’s Journey

This story of a 16-year-old boy highlights how Console Mission provides a spark of hope, enabling people to take appropriate action. For some, the very presence of Console Mission serves as a beacon that helps them find the right path.

In the rural village of Lalitpur district, people struggle to secure their livelihoods. Their settlement in the hills adds to the challenges—above and below their homes is steep terrain. In late September 2024, devastating floods claimed lives, destroyed livestock, and swept away pathways. Console Mission staff members, like Buddha Bahadur Ghyaba, witnessed firsthand the destruction of their farmland, while former staff member Raju Thieng suffered a broken hand trying to block debris on his way home. Even in years without such severe flooding, monsoons disrupt daily life, making school inaccessible for both students and teachers.

Among those affected was Bibek, a young boy living with relatives. His mother had remarried and left the family, while his father was far away in Chitwan. This separation left him vulnerable to discrimination in his own home. When Console Mission first met him in Ghongwa, he was in grade eight and was entrusted with the role of ‘Student Volunteer’—responsible for managing the community learning center and organizing peer learning sessions. Though active, he often missed sessions due to domestic responsibilities, such as gathering grass and working in the fields.

One pressing concern was Bibek’s vision—he had lost sight in one eye. Accounts differed: some said he was injured while working, while others suspected mistreatment by his relatives. Console Mission intervened, taking him to the Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology for medical evaluation. While his father was unreachable, his cousin accompanied him. Doctors ultimately advised against an eye replacement, as the likelihood of restoring his vision was uncertain.

Despite the uncertainties, Console Mission provided emotional and educational support. His inability to attend school regularly led to mounting pressure from school authorities, which risked forcing him out of his volunteer role. Console Mission encouraged him to communicate with his father and guided him through the process of obtaining his citizenship document—an essential step in securing his future.

Bibek successfully completed grade eight and relocated to Chitwan to live with his father, a decision that offered him stability. Today, he studies at Shree Siddhi Binaya Government School, with Console Mission continuing to support his education through a monthly scholarship. His journey reflects the organization’s commitment to empowerment, resilience, and ensuring that no child is left behind.