Thirteen year-old Maili Lama was born in Ramban, Bara district, in the mid-region of Nepal. The strained smile on her face developed fours years ago when she became an orphan. Her mother died during childbirth and out of bereavement, her father committed suicide.

After their parents’ death, Maili and her three siblings moved in with their uncle. They lived in absolute poverty and subsisted by selling fuel wood. However it was not sufficient to support all of them.

Maili dropped out of school in second grade and her aunt brought her to work in a carpet factory in Kathmandu. She was only 11 years-old. A Rugmark inspector rescued her from the factory on January 7, 2004.

Introverted and studious in nature, Maili is considered one of the brightest students among her peers. Rugmark enrolled her in Little Angels School, one of the most renowned private educational institutions in Kathmandu. The school accepts Rugmark children for the same tuition as other Rugmark schools.

Maili scored 91% on her first term test.  Looking ahead, she aspires to be a doctor in order to serve disadvantaged children.

Maili sends her gratitude for this academic opportunity and the Rugmark community, which has become like a family.

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