Not knowing what fate had in store, a determined, abled and zealous young man in Monggar took a loan from a bank to build a home for his family, three years ago. Not even a year since he constructed a comfortable home for his family, he lost his ability to move in an accident. Being the sole bread earner in the family, the accident has left him in a state of helplessness until he started receiving support from people and organisations near and far.
39-year-old Jigme from Zunglen in Drepong Gewog lost his ability to walk in 2020. A log fell onto him and damaged his spine and hand. He also lost the ability to earn cash and provide for his family.
He received treatment for more than a year in Thimphu and Monggar.
The father of three is worried, not just about repaying the loan but also about securing a better future for his children. Jigme took a loan of about Nu 250,000 to construct the new house.
“I am worried about my children and also about repaying the loan. A man from Thimphu donated Nu 66,000 to repay the loan but I am worried that I won’t be able to repay the remaining amount.”
His 39-year-old wife, Tshering Lhamo, is his only helping hand.
“Had it not been for such mishap, we would have cleared the loan by now. Some public has supported us in paying the loan but we are worried about paying the remaining loan amount of Nu 150,000.”
With her husband now on the wheel-chair, managing both household chores and farming works have become challenging for Tshering.
“I have to leave the household chores if I go out farming. We have a practice of doing labour exchange work in our village. So, when I go to my neighbour’s place to do farm work, I let him wear a diaper. I come home during the lunch break to change his diaper. I also leave the cattle in the shed.”
The eldest son who is just 12 years old is compelled to help the mother.
“My eldest son helps me with labour exchange work. He wouldn’t listen when I tell him I can do it myself. He cannot manage to do the household chores or attend to his father and the cattle. Although he goes out for work occasionally, he is forced to do the task at his age,” said Tshering.
Much to their relief, the Youth Development Fund has promised to support their children’s education. And the support would continue until they complete the tenth grade.
“The Youth Development Fund has agreed to provide support to educate my children. But if they cannot qualify for higher studies I am hopeful that government would provide continuous educational support to them,” said Tshering.
Following the incident, they could not even complete the electrification works in their newly constructed house.
“We installed the temporary electrical lines as we could not carry out the wiring. Now, we don’t have enough money to install the electrical lines,” said Tshering.
But not everything is lost for Jigme. He hopes to open a shop in his village soon.
Sonam Tshering, Monggar
