A Father’s Love Transforms a Remote Chepang Village

The story of Bishnu Gautam is not just one of grief and loss but of healing and hope—a tale of a father's love that has reshaped an entire village. Gautam's personal tragedy catalyzed a profound transformation in the remote Kanda village of Chitwan, where poverty and illiteracy once defined the community.

13 years ago, Kanda was a village burdened with sorrow. In a heartbreaking turn of events, eight members of a single family died after consuming poisonous mushrooms, drawing attention to the village's dire situation. At the time, Kanda's Chepang people lived in makeshift thatched huts, far removed from the basic amenities of modern life. But that all changed when Bishnu Gautam, in his deepest moment of loss, decided to dedicate his life to making their lives better.

In less than a year, Gautam had lost both of his sons. The first, Kumar, died in a road accident in Kathmandu in December 2008, and the second, Balaram, was killed in a similar accident in the United States just nine months later. Heartbroken and searching for a way to make sense of his grief, Gautam turned his focus toward helping others—finding a sense of purpose in lifting up those who were also suffering.

“I had lost everything, but I knew I had to do something that would give my life meaning. I couldn’t bear to live for myself alone anymore,” Gautam said, reflecting on the pain that led him to the Chepang village.

A Father's Resolve to Heal a Village

What began as a personal journey of healing soon became a mission to transform the lives of the Chepang people, who were living in their own kind of grief—struggling with poverty, illiteracy, and isolation. Gautam felt an overwhelming need to change their circumstances.

"The village had also been shattered by the tragic deaths of a whole family. It had no proper infrastructure, no resources, no help. It was a community that had lost hope," Gautam shared. "I realized I could not turn away from their pain. I had to act."

Gautam’s determination ignited a wave of change, but he humbly credits the success of the transformation to the collective efforts of countless people—many of whom he never even met. Today, thanks to his tireless work and the support of organizations like the Miteri Foundation, Kanda Village has undergone a complete transformation. All 133 homes in the village are now equipped with solar-powered lights, allowing the villagers to extend their days and work into the evening. Fifty-nine homes have new corrugated metal roofs, replacing the fragile thatched huts. A school with free education, a hostel, and a canteen now serve as pillars of the community's future.

 “Before, we had to cook our meals when the sun was still up and go to bed in the darkness,” said Ratna Bahadur Chepang, a village resident. “Now, we can live our lives differently. Our children can go to school, study, and even play at night. We never thought our village could be like this. Not even in our dreams.”

 The Road to Change

 Despite these advances, Kanda village remains difficult to reach. Perched atop a mountain with no direct road access, visitors must endure a long, exhausting journey to get there—sometimes walking for six hours from the nearest road. Yet, despite these challenges, Gautam finds great fulfillment in knowing that the Chepang people now have access to a better life, even if the road to change is long and difficult.

 The transformation of Kanda village began after the tragic mushroom poisoning incident, which brought attention from journalists, social workers, and philanthropists alike. It was through this collective attention that Gautam found a like-minded ally in the Miteri Foundation, led by journalist Ekal Silwal and his friend Rabindra Singh Baniya. The foundation, which had been working to assist the village, became the perfect partner for Gautam’s mission.

 Together, they not only provided infrastructure but also introduced sustainable practices like apple farming, which would offer the Chepangs a steady source of income. “We worked hand-in-hand with many people, organizations, and experts to ensure the community didn’t just survive but thrived,” Gautam explained. “Apple farming became an opportunity for them to build a future, to lift themselves out of poverty.”

 A Father's Emotional Commitment

 What made Gautam's involvement so deeply personal was the emotional connection he felt to the Chepang people. Gautam recalled a visit from his younger son, Kumar, who had once traveled to Kanda and reported back to him with a heavy heart. “He told me how the villagers lived in poverty, how they struggled just to survive. It broke my heart to hear it,” Gautam said, his voice heavy with emotion. “When I visited the village myself, I was overcome with grief. My son’s words were true. Seeing the suffering firsthand, I understood exactly how he had felt.”

 It was in that moment of realization that Gautam found his true calling. “That’s when I knew I had to help. I couldn’t turn my back on them,” he said.

 The transformation of Kanda began with the construction of new homes, followed by the installation of solar lights, which brought light into the lives of the villagers, literally and metaphorically. As he worked, Gautam found peace in knowing that his own suffering had led to something greater: a new beginning for a forgotten community.

 A Legacy of Love

 Today, the village of Kanda stands as a symbol of resilience and hope. The school now serves 123 children, many of whom live in the hostel built by Gautam’s non-profit, Laxmi Pratisthan. The hostel offers not only a safe place for the children to stay but also fresh food grown on the nearby vegetable farms and dairy products from the cattle sheds.

 “I lost two sons, but now I have so many children to care for and love. Running this hostel has healed a part of me that I didn’t know could be healed,” Gautam said, with a gentle smile. “I feel like I am giving these children a chance at a better life, and in turn, they’ve given me a reason to keep going.”

 The work in Kanda village is not just about building homes or installing lights—it is about a father's love that refuses to fade, even in the face of unspeakable loss. It is about a community coming together to heal, to rebuild, and to thrive. Above all, it is about the power of one person’s love to transform an entire village, proving that even in the darkest of times, the light of hope can shine brightly.