OUR MOTIVATION

Since 2015, KNEF’s founders, Vijaya Tamang and Vivek Nigam, have been dividing their time between New Delhi and Lower Chhibo Busty, their village in Kalimpong. Situated in the Lower Himalayas in the eastern part of India, the environs are idyllic. But it didn't take them long to realise that the local society was severely compromised due to alcoholism, drug abuse, domestic violence, broken families and, of course poverty, caused by the lack of opportunities in the hills. Clearly, there was a crying need to rescue the children and young adults from wasting away their lives and help to clear the negativity surrounding them.

The problem of interrupted education

Most of these kids go to school but we see that many drop out before completing their Higher Secondary education. And, if they do finish school, they are unable to attend college. Surprisingly, this is not because they do not want to study, but due to family pressure!

The parents are mostly in low paying jobs, being drivers, masons, carpenters, etc. Losing their jobs every now and then (often due to irresponsible lifestyle) creates cash-flow problems, resulting in the education fee being deemed as a 'non-essential' expense, summarily putting an end to the children's schooling / college. In many instances, one or both parents are addicted to substance, leaving no money for the children's education. In some cases, one or both parents have died due to excessive drinking etc., which again leaves the children without the means or direction to pursue an education despite having the aptitude. In many instances, we see that the kids are good in academics, want to study but are unable to do so due to financial constraints.

The need to instil discipline and a sense of pride

In 2018, Sherap Lepcha (DSP Darjeeling District & President's Police Medal awardee) had initiated the community idea of starting the Chhibo TaeKwonDo Training Institute. This was done to instil discipline and a sense of pride in the village children. As of 2021, we had enrolled 155 children, virtually free of cost.

Sherap Lepcha himself is a 4th Dan in TaeKwonDo. He enlisted two of his own teachers, both former National Champions, to train the kids. The result is that since this was started in Sept 2018, a vast change has swept over these children. Some of them have started competing in tournaments within West Bengal and have already won more than 200 medals (47 gold medals). This is a huge achievement for a bunch of kids who were missing the presence of life-shaping mentors in their lives. Two of our senior girls have secured jobs in the West Bengal Police, thanks to the training and mentoring received at the institute.

Becoming environmentally responsible

Besides teaching TaeKwonDo, we have striven to raise awareness towards the environment. Every year before the monsoon, the children participate in 1) grass plantation programmes, to strengthen the landslide prone areas and, 2) trench-digging to create water bodies for rejuvenating the underground aquifers. We also organise regular cleanliness drives wherein the children actively participate in clearing the drains, streams and creeks in the village. And, we do see positive changes on the ground!