A Safe Haven: How Your Support Transformed Laxmi Kumari’s Life

Laxmi Kumari is the widow of the late Rifleman Meg Bahadur Sen, a proud World War II veteran. Meg Bahadur joined the East Indian Company in 1943 and served for just over two years before being honourably discharged in 1946. Like many brave Gurkhas of his time, his contribution to the war effort was significant. Sadly, he passed away in 1998, after which GWT paid a monthly pension to Laxmi Kumari, providing vital financial support in her later years.

Living in Fear: An Unsafe Home

For many years, Laxmi lived in an old mud and stone house with a rusted CGI roof. “When it rained, water would drip through the ceiling. The walls had cracks from the big earthquake. I was afraid the house might fall,” she shared. The damage from the 2015 earthquake had made her home unsafe to live in. Parts of the house had become unstable, and the wooden verandah was badly eaten away by termites.

Following an assessment by the local Area Welfare Officer, the house was deemed to be too dangerous to live in, and in December 2024, construction of a new earthquake-resilient home began.

A Safe Place to Call Home

On 22 April 2025, Laxmi Kumari proudly received the keys to her new home. The sturdy two-room house includes a kitchen and a toilet—features that bring her great joy. “It is more than a house to me. It is my shelter, my peace, my safety,” she said with a smile. “Now I can sleep without fear.”

Laxmi’s son and his family have a house next door, while two of her grandsons are currently working in the Middle East. Despite their absence, the family shares a strong bond, and she is lovingly cared for. “Everyone helps me with small things. But I still cook sometimes. I like to keep moving,” she laughed.

At 82, Laxmi Kumari remains active and independent. She carries out her daily activities with little difficulty and is generally in good health, receiving treatment for high blood pressure and a minor uterine condition. She receives regular medical checks from the GWT team.

However, life in rural Nepal still comes with many challenges. One of the biggest issues the family faces is access to clean and reliable drinking water. The nearest communal tap is a 10-minute walk away, but the water supply is unreliable. “In the dry months, we have to walk down to the spring to fetch water. It takes about half an hour,” she explained. Carrying water up the hill is a daily burden for the family, especially for the elderly. The local GWT

GWT is investigating ways to improve the water supply to the community – one option is a Rainwater Harvesting Project. These projects have proved successful in other areas and can provide some relief during the dry season.

Your Support: A Life Transformed

Laxmi Kumari’s story is just one of many that shows how your support is truly life-changing. Because of your donations, she has a safe home, access to healthcare, and a community that continues to care for her.

She is deeply thankful to all who support The Gurkha Welfare Trust.

“Thank you to all the donors,” she says. “You have changed my life. I pray for your happiness every day.”