Case Studies (Kanchi)

I have studied till class 5. A broker who was from my village met my father and there were three other persons with the broker from outside our village. My sister and I were persuaded to go to work in the circus in India. In fact my father was convinced that after joining circus we will get education as well as employment. Thus my father took me and my sister to Kanpur and signed an agreement with the circus owner about our employment. This is how we both landed in “Raj Mahal Circus” which was quite big in size. The circus was employing about 100 girls and 150 boys from Nepal, West Bengal and MP in the age group of 6 years to 20 years. However majority of workers were from Nepal. We were given salary of Rs.25/- per month and free food and lodging.

My sister and I took training on how to swing on “Jhula” and it took nearly 8 months to learn, I also learned the skill to rotate ring around my waist and this training was for 3 months. The third trick I learned was to lie down with the lion. Initially I was afraid but gradually I mustered courage and mastered this skill too. Another interesting skill I learned was to ride on one wheel cycle, which was fun.

We were looked after well in the circus and there was separate place for boys and girls to live and our privacy was protected. The meal timings were not appropriate and often we ate late in the night. My health was affected and I used to fall sick often. It was about 15 years ago when the Circus was moved to Ludhiana, Punjab India where I was very sick and blood transfusion was required. Three persons from the circus (two women and one man) donated blood for me which was matching my blood group. I think that blood must have been infected and I got HIV/AIDS.

The last time I worked in the circus was in Nanded, Maharashtra India. I decided to quit my job. Four months ago (July 2009) I returned back to Nepal and the circus owner gave me Rs.15, 000/-. My sickness continued and on investigation, two months ago I was found HIV positive. I was badly shaken and thought of taking poison and finishing my life. A second thought came to me that I have to live for my daughter who is eight years old and is also HIV positive. My husband who comes from Darjeeling and is also Nepali is still working in the circus on “Jhula”. Thank God my husband is not HIV positive. Now my husband knows that my daughter and I have HIV infection.

I was extended help in Hetauda by ETSCN whose staff Usha contacted me. I was given encouragement and financial assistance to buy 100 chicks and do business. These chicks will grow up to 3 kg in 60 days. I plan to develop this poultry business more in the days to come. The ETSCN organization is also helping me by giving monthly nutritional help to buy food. Now when I talk to other women who are also HIV positive, I feel at peace.