 ACHYUT BHAKTA SHRESTHA |
Pushpa Basnet decided at 21 that her mission was to make sure no child grew up behind prison walls- that kids, through no fault of their own, born to incarcerated prisoners should not have to live behind bars. To this effect, she founded Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC) and Butterfly Home with money raised from friends and family.
She went on to start a day care programme and a residential home providing these kids with education, food and health care. Her efforts have finally been recognized and she has been nominated for the CNN Heroes Award 2012.
For Pushpa, it has always been about the children and she doesn't see that changing, whether she wins or not. But we are rooting for her and are thrilled that her work is being recognized and rewarded on a global scale. Way to go, Pushpa!
First of all, congratulations on being nominated for the CNN Heroes Award. Could you tell WAVE how you are feeling right now?
The first time when CNN called me on December, 2011 – I was shocked and could not believe that I had been nominated for CNN heroes. They informed me that they would be doing research on me for some time and also come to Nepal to film. After 2 months of research and video shoot, they informed that I was officially one of the nominees for this year's CNN heroes. I felt very happy not only for myself but also for my kids and ECDC as whole.Since now onwards I have more responsibility and can fulfill the needs of the children even more.
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After selflessly giving it your all for the prison children, has being nominated for the CNN Heroes Award been worth it?
Yes, being nominated for the CNN Heroes is definitely worth it after dedicating my life to these children for the past 7 years. My friend nominated me for the CNN Heroes and I believe he had seen something in me that he felt worthy for CNN Heroes.
What would you say to the people who never believed or supported your cause from Day 1?
I just don't want to say anything to them, but it was my determination and faith that persuaded me and I never gave up hope even at times when I was all alone working towards fulfilling the needs of the children.
You were only 21 when you first knew that this was what you needed to do; help the less fortunate and to open Early Childhood Development Center. Have you had any regrets that you might have lost out on your youth?
No, I do not have any regrets on anything. From my first encounter with the children in jail I wanted to do something for Sanu Kanchi (the girl who tugged at my clothes and held onto it) but instead I happened to help more than one particular child. Providing a better life for the inmates' children is what I personally wanted to do from within my heart so I have no regret on losing my youth. For me, my children are everything to me so seeing the smiles on their faces relieves all stress.
If you had never visited a woman's prison (which led on to ECDC & Butterfly Home), what do you think you would be doing now?
If I had never visited the prison, maybe, I would be assisting my father in my family business.
Like any non-profit organization, trying to keep up, financially, is always tough. We read that to make ends meet, you sold your own jewelry and possessions. You also have a handicraft business. What about the public?
Have they been generous?
During the initial phase it was very difficult financially, but I somehow managed. I would ask my mother to get new household appliances so that I could get the old used items for my organization. I even sold my jewelry once to buy food for the children and for the daily operation of the organization. I believe that if you give something for others God will always be with you even at times of hardship.
Regarding the handicraft business, we started this from December 2010 by making Christmas cards. This,too, is going on very well. We have been having regular sales which contributes a lot towards the children's education and their parents welfare.
If you could teach one thing in life to the children you are looking after, what would it be?
Life is a constant struggle so one should always work and study hard for a better future.
WAVE thinks that you are amazing and such an inspirational figure. Any last words to the youth of Nepal when it comes to giving and helping others?
Today's youth have a lot of potential, resources and capacity on bringing about change. So we, the youth, should try to give something towards the society for we are the change makers.
Achyut Bhakta Shrestha's photographs of the children of ECDC are currently being exhibited around Germany at the following dates and venues.
Villa Leon Nuremberg:
29th March - 2 May 2012
http://www.kuf-kultur.de/index.php?id=403&backID=178&Veranstaltungsnr=241570&herkunft=vknormal
Your Village House Seminar Deinsdorf:
13th May - 15 July 2012
http://www.seminarhaus-deinsdorf.de/home.html
South Point, Nuremberg:
19th July - 16 September 2012
http://suedpunkt-nuernberg.de/Was-ist-der-suedpunkt.118.0.html
Achyut's pictures have also been made into post cards and posters to raise funds for ECDC.
To know how you can help, visit www.ecdcnepal.org
