13 January 2023
AS a university graduate in Nepal, I am heartbroken to say that there are simply not enough jobs in my country. The moment I graduated, I was already in debt. I had to make the hard decision of leaving the comfort of my home and loved ones to work in another country to pay off the debt and also provide for my family.
It was not even a choice, and thousands of people in my country will also do the same because of the economic conditions there.
Like many of my peers and seniors, I decided to work in Malaysia. I contacted the local agent, and he got me a job as a construction worker. The work is heavy but I will just have to toughen up, knowing that my family is relying on me.
I flew from Kathmandu with a group of soon-to-be colleagues and arrived at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) in the wee hours of the morning in December last year. The first thing I wanted to do was get in touch with my family to tell them I had arrived safely.
Having little cash on me, I was extremely concerned about whether I would have enough money for a SIM card and food, as we had been told that we would have to wait for our employer to process the papers before we could leave the airport.
To our pleasant surprise, the staff at the waiting area gave each of us a free local SIM card. I immediately placed it inside my mobile phone, tapped into the free WiFi offered at the area and made a video call to my family. They were relieved to hear from me even though it was way past midnight in my home country. They were also happy to see that the waiting area was clean, quiet and comfortable.
I found out later that those who arrived before and after me on the same arrangement received the same service and treatment.
On behalf of the thousands of my fellow Nepalese workers, I would like to thank the Malaysian immigration personnel for the services rendered to us even at midnight and their patience when providing information that were important for foreigners like us. It felt great to have a good start the moment we set foot in a foreign country where we will be working for the next few years.
Personally, I am thankful for technological advancement and globalisation, without which I would be stuck in Nepal with an enormous debt and no means to pay it off.
I look at Malaysia as a land of hope for me to support my family in Nepal, as do every Nepalese who made the decision to come and work here.
DARSHAN SHAH
Kuala Lumpur
Source: www.thestar.com.my
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