PUSHPA'S DIARY
Her goal is clear: economic independence and a career in which she can safely guide other (female) travellers into the mountains. Read her story here.
Coming from a mountain village in Humla and growing up in a large family, Puspa had to leave home at an early age to go to school and later to Kathmandu for higher education – often with very limited financial means. Through EWN and 3Sisters Adventure Trekking she found a concrete path towards independence: a training programme to become a trekking guide with a focus on sustainable tourism, language skills and practical knowledge.
My name is Pushpa Budha and I am currently studying for a bachelor’s degree. I come from a large family of eleven: my grandfather, my parents, three elder sisters, two younger sisters, one older brother and myself.
I was born in a remote village in the Himalayan district of Humla, where my childhood was spent wandering through the hills and valleys. I went to a government school in my village, but because it is a mountain area, travelling from one place to another was difficult. Despite these challenges, my childhood was a happy one: we went to school, played and enjoyed our meals at home. As the youngest in a big family, I was very loved by my older sisters and my grandmother.
From class 5 onwards, I ranked first in my class. Because my village is in a Himalayan district, our school remained closed for three months due to heavy snowfall that covered the village and the forests. Education in my village only went up to class 7; after that I had to continue my studies in another village. The school was far away and I was afraid of travelling every day, so I stayed in a hostel. I left for the hostel in February and returned home in December.
As I grew older, the financial burden on my parents increased and it became harder to pay for my education. I took my SEE exams and passed, which made me very happy. Afterwards, I moved to Kathmandu for further studies. Away from my family, I felt lonely and had little money for daily expenses. My parents worked day and night so that we could study. Life in a new city was tough: I often struggled with food and finances. Still, I managed to complete my studies.
After that, I returned home and helped my family, which made me understand their struggles better. Unfortunately, my mother became ill. In the hospital in Kathmandu she was diagnosed with cancer. Thankfully, the surgery went well and her health has improved. At the moment, my sister is taking care of her.
In the meantime, my sister told me about Three Sisters Adventure Trekking in Pokhara, where they offer training to become a female trekking guide. She said it could be a great opportunity for me to become independent. Encouraged by her, I decided to apply for the training programme. I am determined to learn as much as I can and to stand on my own feet in the future.
"I am grateful to everyone who has supported me on this journey."