By Tara Chapagain
Pokhara, Sept. 21: Eight-year-old Prensa Regmi from Birauta, Pokhara is using her free time for social work.
From the very start of the lockdown in March, she started garnering praise for distributing surgical masks at a nominal cost to those who could pay and totally free to those who couldn’t.
Prensa studies in Pokhara’s Sishu Niketan Boarding School and is currently in the third grade. With the school closed due to the lockdown, she decided to utilise her time to contribute to the society. So, she used Rs. 15,000 that she had with her, to which her father added another Rs. 15,000, and bought masks worth Rs. 30,000 for distribution.
In addition to distributing masks, Prensa also runs a food bank where those who can, donate food items like rice, pulses, cooking oil and salt and those who can’t, take what they need. This young social worker lives by a noble belief. “We need only start from our homes to develop the society and the nation. We need not give much. A handful is sufficient. No one should go hungry,” she shared.
Furthermore, Prensa also wants to help students like her with their studies. That is why, she also distributes free exercise books, pens, pencils and others stationery items. Her parents run a stationery shop Namaste Stationery in the city.
Even before the lockdown, Prensa used to use her lunch money to feed the helpless people sitting on the roadsides. These days, her hours are spent going around Pokhara, getting on metro buses, distributing free masks and teaching people how to wear them. She advises everyone she meets to follow the government’s safety protocols against the coronavirus.
“We children should also be involved in developing the country; not by force but by choice. Teaching people to wear masks is equivalent to helping save their lives, which is my duty. I have tried to do my part for social transformation and my parents have helped me in this,” Prensa said.
She believes that people should not only look to the government for development. “The government should formulate policies and plans and the private sector should cooperate. People should also understand their duties. Anything is possible if everybody puts their hearts to it,” Prensa said confidently.
Prensa wants to be a top scientist when she grows up. Her aim is to develop a vaccine that can fight against all the viruses and diseases. She also wants to launch a campaign against crime and corruption in the country.
Happy Parents
Ram Krishna Regmi, Prensa’s father, is amazed at his daughter’s thinking, courage and energy. “I don’t know how she developed such a passion for social service,” he said. “Her words make me tear up. She is very knowledgeable.”
Mother Jayanti Regmi is astounded at her daughter’s convictions. “We don’t know where Prensa gets it from. We don’t know anything like this and never teach her about this.”
“She is so determined to do good for the society that we don’t want to say no to anything,” Jayanti said.
Both parents are determined to keep helping their daughter in all her future endeavours.
Encouragement from officials
Gandaki State’s Minister for Social Development Nardevi Pun, Mayor of Pokhara Metropolitan City Man Bahadur GC, Deputy Mayor Manju Gurung and her teachers have met with Prensa and given her encouragement.
Minister Pun said that she was happy to see Prensa being involved in social service from such a young age. Similarly, Pokhara’s mayor and deputy mayor praised Prensa for her work and supported her by providing masks.
Sishu Niketan’s Principal Naren Thapa was delighted that Prensa put what she learnt from books into practice. “I am proud to have a student as intellectual and oriented towards social welfare as Prensa,” he said.
Prensa is also happy at the support and encouragement she is receiving from everyone. “I hope I will continue to receive your blessings,” she said.