Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, February 20:

Moved by the story of Santa Bahadur Praja (Shivraj), a Chepang boy, published in The Himalayan Times on February 4, a Dutch national Peter Donkerbroek, 52, has expressed his willingness to bear his educational expenses as long as he is successful at his studies.

“I decided to support him because I felt sorry for a talented boy who is about to stop schooling because of financial and other limitations,” Donkerbroek, a retired pilot said, talking to this daily.

“Nothing should affect a child’s right to education,” he further said, promising that Santa Bahadur would be enrolled in a private school in Pokhara or Kathmandu.

Donkerbroek said Santa Bahadur’s parents expressed happiness upon hearing his words during his visit to the boy’s village Syadul and Pancha Kanya Lower Secondary School expressed their delight.

Santa Bahadur arrived Pokhara today at Donkerbroek’s call. “I came here because ‘Sir’ had called me,” a visible elated boy said.

Santa Bahadur had to go to get admission at another school but his family was not in a position to cover his educational expenses. He had said that the money earned by his parents working as porters was not enough to meet his needs.

Santa Bahadur’s father Laxman had expressed his wish to make his son an example for his backward community.

“He can be supported for as long as he is successful at his studies, keeping in mind that he wishes to become a physian, or at least leave a meaning for the Nepali society in future,” Donkerbroek further said.

The school headmaster Birendra Pandey said he was glad that Santa Bahadur had got a chance to continue his studies. “I was worried about his studies but now I am relieved,” he said.

Donkerbroek informed that Santa Bahadur was called to Pokhara to appear in the entrance test for a private school.