Prem Bahadur Thapa, 42 years from Dhading District has lived a very miserable life. His mother left him at a very young age. While he was recovering from this huge loss, he was introduced to his step mother. Instead of loving the child and making him understand she chose the path towards ill-treatment. Unable to tolerate the harassment, the young boy at the age of 11 ran away from home to India. He thought his life would get better being away from his evil step mother, but he was mistaken! The 11yr old kid in a different country of diverse cultures and language got lost in the crowd. Neither did have a place to stay nor anything to eat. For the boy, the days seemed long and the nights were never ending. Every day he would get agitated, irritated and troubled with his new life. Gradually, with every passing day he learnt the skills of survival. After 14 years he got married to Gita Thapa and also gave birth to 2 boys and a girl. Settled with his new life, he felt the urge to return back to his hometown, Dhading. The entire family shifted to Nepal where they lived in a small shack. Prem Bahadur worked as a peon in a local Boarding School. His monthly salary was NRs. 3000 per month which is meager for a family of 5 members. Yet, the family lived a content life when suddenly Prem Bahadurs hands and legs started to swell. He would also find it difficult to breathe. Worried of his health, he got himself checked in a local hospital where they referred him to Shahid Gangalal National Heart Center, Kathmandu. Due to his financial constraints, he was unable to travel; hence he started taking medicines prescribed by the local hospital. A year later, when he managed to collect enough money, he went to Kathmandu where he was diagnosed with Rheumatic Heart Diease and needed a Valve Replacement. Apprehensive of the total expenditure that would incur, Prem Bahadur was now hesitant for the operation. During his stay in the hospital, he overheard the doctors and some health workers converse about Jayanti Memorial Trust. When curious about it, he was informed of the documents that were needed to avail the governments’ aid. Prem Bahadur was successfully operated on 21st Janaury, 2015 with a free valve from Jayanti Memorial Trust. Prem Bahadur later in his interview with Jayanti Memorial Trust says that he would exercise daily along with his family members and would also spread awareness about cardiovascular diseases.
