This is the 94th episode of Diaspora Diaries, a Nepali Times series in collaboration with Migration Lab providing a platform to share experiences of living, working and studying abroad.
Shiva Kumar Sada
I don’t have any memory of my father leaving for Dubai in 2009. I was just four years old, and used to live with my grandparents. In fact, when my father returned I thought he was my uncle.
He came back with gifts like clothes, books, and chocolates. My mother told me he was my father, and I eventually accepted it. He has worked ever since for the same employer in Dubai as a gardener. He comes home every two or three years.
Now it is my turn to migrate. He was not pleased when I told him I was going to work in Malaysia, and wanted me to focus on studies. But I am going abroad precisely so he does not have to keep working in Dubai any longer.
I am the eldest of three siblings, and have to support them and my father. It is because of the sacrifices he has made over all these years that we are in a much better place. He has bought land, and we are now building a house even though the construction is slow because we have to wait for him to send money home. That is the reason I need to help complete our house, and he can return.
I look at my childhood pictures when we were so happy and free with not a care in the world. Now, from our group of 11 boys, five of us are in Malaysia. And I am leaving behind my six-month-old. I have to come home in two years for vacation so he does not forget me, just like I forgot my father.
Ram Lakhan Kumar Sada
I went to Punjab when I was just 15 with a couple of friends and started out cleaning tables at a restaurant. Before I knew it, I was cooking South Indian, North Indian, Chinese. I know it all. I have worked in Kerala, Chennai, Hyderabad and Bangalore. I hopped places after employers stopped paying me because I had no contracts.
They would not directly deny us payment, but the delays forced us to leave and try our luck elsewhere. My father was in Saudi Arabia when I went to Punjab, and he dissuaded me from leaving and wanted me to focus on studies. But I did not listen. I was spoiled, and was not taking anything seriously.
I hung out with friends, and was not interested in household chores or school. But in India, I had to work because my next meal depended on it. I learnt to value work and money and started taking responsibility.
I am now headed to Malaysia to fulfil my parents’ dreams. They have struggled all their lives to bring us up. My brother went to Malaysia with the same goal, and I am following his footsteps. I will do whatever he does.
Ram Pukar Majhi
This is the second time I have come to Malaysia to work, the first time was 14 years ago. I had a lot of responsibilities and owed money to my agent. He agreed to send me after I promised to send him what I earned. Perhaps he felt sorry for me.
My elder brother had two unhappy migration experiences: one to Qatar and another in Dubai. When he returned from the UAE after 10 months, he collapsed at the bus stop where I had gone to receive him. He died the same day.
It was as though he had waited to come home before dying. My parents were traumatised, and his death added to my responsibility. Migration was the only option because we were up to our necks in debt.
Malaysia has worked out well, and I have paid off my brother’s loans and mine too. I have bought some land and built a house. But I got into financial trouble, and had to sell my land, and was back to zero.
Now, eight years down the road I am off to Malaysia again and this time with my late brother’s son. My younger brother is also there. This time I am more optimistic about the future. I leave knowing that even if things don’t work out for me, I have my nephew and brother.
Ram Niwas Sada
I worked in Chennai for four years as a housekeeper, tea seller and making vegetarian food. I learnt on the job, and have done it all. A Nepali chef from Pokhara taught me how to make nan and momo.
My brother, who was also working in India, became sick and cannot work. I am now the only earner in the family and have to take care of his three sons as well.
This is my first time in Kathmandu. Soon, I will be flying out to Malaysia. I am both happy and sad to leave. My son is just two and I will miss him.
My father had also gone to Punjab to work on a farm, he is now too old to work. We had to borrow money for my sister’s wedding, and when we could not repay the debt we lost the property that was collateral. My father tells me that his dream is for me to get the land back. This is why I am going to Malaysia.