Every Home Has a Story: A Lesson from a Family SALT Session

[Prakriti]

During a recent home visit in Alkapur, I met a family whose story changed the way I think about human rights and family life. We often believe that people face difficulties only because of society. However, this visit reminded me that problems within a family can also affect a person's rights and future for many years.

The family migrated from the Nepal–India border area to Pokhara many years ago. After settling there, the parents worked as daily wage laborers and slowly built a stable life. Today, their children are grown up and are also working in different jobs and daily wage work. Although the family appeared to live a normal life, they have faced many difficult challenges. The father married two sisters from the same family. He has two wives and children from both marriages. This has created many legal and family problems over the years.

One of the biggest challenges involved the daughter from the first wife. After getting married, she returned to her parents' home during the COVID-19 lockdown. While she was away, her husband married another woman. She later took legal action to fight for her rights and won her case. Her courage showed the importance of standing up for justice. Another major issue is citizenship. Around 10 to 12 family members still do not have citizenship certificates. Because of disagreements and legal complications within the family, the citizenship process has been delayed for many years. The son from the second wife believes that his mother's citizenship should be processed first, while the daughter from the first wife believes her own mother's citizenship should come first. Without citizenship, family members cannot easily access education, employment opportunities, government services, and many other basic rights. This situation shows how family conflicts can affect not only relationships but also the future, dignity, and opportunities of many people.

This home visit became an important learning experience for me. It reminded me that before blaming society for every problem, we should also understand the challenges that exist within families. Every family has its own history, struggles, and untold stories. During our visit, we listened carefully to the family members, especially the daughter from the first wife. Instead of focusing only on their problems, we tried to understand their strengths, encourage open conversation, and explore possible solutions together. We believe that recognizing people's strengths is the first step toward creating positive change. We will continue to follow up with this family, support better communication among family members, and encourage them to take steps to claim their rights. The journey may not be easy, but we hope they will find a path toward justice, understanding, and a better future.

This experience reminded me that every home has a story, and every story teaches us something valuable. As a SALT Facilitator, my role is not only to listen but also to stand with people, recognize their strengths, and walk alongside them as they work toward positive change.

[Shahrukh Atpade]

The SALT dialogue you have initiated will definitely benefit you. Now the family may not be in a mental state to understand everything. The SALT process is a gradual and trust-building process. Some things take time.
Best of luck to you for the next SALT Conversastion...!

[santosh bishowkarma]

This is a heartbreaking story that highlights the challenges of citizenship. I hope that family receives their citizenship soon and find hope, stability and brighter future. Wishing them all the best.