STORY BY HSIEN-CHAO TU | INDIA

Seeing the beggars in front of Sujata Temple, Vikash Kumar feels unease as he is reminded of his past. | Photo courtesy of Wen-Ying Chung

Standing before Sujata Temple, 21-year-old Vikash Kumar recalls that he used to beg just like the beggars there when he was a child. Reflecting on the difficult years of his past, he feels a deep sense of unease.

Difficult Family Situation

Vikash is a resident of Bakraur, a village by the Niranjan River. Across the river lies the site where Buddha attained enlightenment, making it one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Buddhists. When Vikash was less than six months old, his father became disabled due to an accident. As a result, his grandmother from his mother's side took in the entire family to live with her.

"I witnessed a terrible accident that injured my brother and brother-in-law. Since then, I've tried to support them in any way I could, like an uncle or father would," says Vikash's younger uncle, Jhuln Kumar. Though Jhuln couldn't replace the full love of his brother-in-law, he always cared deeply for Vikash.

Jhuln himself was just a teenager at the time, but he did everything he could to help. The family's financial situation was already tight, and with Vikash's family moving in, it became even more strained.

When Vikash turned eight and was ready for school, the family couldn't afford it. After some discussion, they decided to send him to a boarding school to secure his future. The school, Siddhartha Free Children Educational Centre, had 120 students, all from impoverished families. Due to the lack of resources, Vikash and his peers often resorted to begging.


Striving for a Better Future

Vikash spent eight years at the Siddhartha Free Children Educational Centre until his uncle was financially stable enough to bring him back home. Once home, Vikash not only continued learning English through YouTube but also started learning computer skills from his uncle, who was studying computer software.

Determined to carve out a better future for himself and his family, Vikash studied hard. Confident in his English skills, he began working as a tour guide, leading visitors around Bodh Gaya. Having experienced hardship and poverty, he made it a point to explain the struggles of life in Bihar and Bakraur to the tourists.

Whenever he received tips from tourists, Vikash would donate the money to those in need. He understood the plight of the poor and knew that education, along with essential supplies like stationery and food, was crucial for children. Therefore, he used his tips to buy notebooks, pens, and pencils for the children at Siddhartha Free Children Educational Centre.

When a team from Tzu Chi wanted to document his experience at the educational center, they pooled their resources to let him purchase these essential items for the children.

Principal Anuradha Kumari of Siddhartha Free Children Educational Centre said, "The students here all come from poor families." She paused and looked at Vikash, "He came here because his family was in trouble." | Photo courtesy of Wen-Ying Chung

Upon arrival, the principal, Anuradha Kumari, was waiting in her office. When Vikash explained the purpose of the visit, Principal Anuradha expressed her gratitude, emphasizing the importance of these supplies for children from impoverished families. "The students here all come from poor families," she said.

Pausing for a moment, she looked at Vikash and added, "He came here because his family was in trouble." Vikash nodded, "When I studied here, my family was in a really tough situation."

Principal Anuradha, who was also the English teacher, laid the foundation for Vikash's English skills. She smiled at him, saying, "He was a very dedicated student with strong reading abilities, though he could be a bit mischievous at times."

(Stay tuned for the next installment as Vikash's journey continues to unfold.)