Yunika’s Journey: From Roadside Struggles to Ashram Peace

KATHMANDU - The thin line between stability and homelessness is often drawn by the presence of a support system. For 24-year-old Yunika Tamang, that line vanished two weeks ago when illness and isolation forced her onto the harsh streets of the capital.

However, on Saturday, Yunika’s descent into homelessness took a hopeful turn. After concerned locals in Koteshwor (KMC-32) reported her situation, a rescue team from Manavsewa Ashram - a leading non-profit dedicated to helping the homeless - came to her aid. Though physically weak from weeks of exposure, rescuers were struck by her incredible mental resilience.

A Family Fragmented

Yunika’s story is a heartbreaking example of how poverty and tragedy can break apart even the closest family bonds. Originally from Chhatre Deurali (Rural Municipality-3) in Dhading, her life was turned upside down at age nine when both her parents passed away.

Though she is one of six - brothers and a sister, the death of her parents led to the gradual breakdown of the family. “A family only truly exists when parents are there to hold it together,” Yunika shared, her voice full of emotion. “Over time, everyone became preoccupied with their own lives. Even if you have brothers, you don’t necessarily have a home.”

The silence from her family has been the heaviest burden to carry. “I haven’t been home for years, and no one has looked for me,” she says. “If there was true love, they would have searched. That realization makes it hard to trust anyone.”

The Spiral into Homelessness

Unable to read or write, Yunika moved to Kathmandu two years ago, hoping to simply survive. She initially shared a rented room with friends and managed to get by through manual labor.

But recently, a severe flare-up of uric acid left her unable to work. As her small savings ran out due to mounting medical bills, her social support system began to collapse. Without an income, her roommates distanced themselves, and she was eventually forced to leave her home.

"I was advised to go home," she recalls, "but after years of no contact, I didn’t even know where home was anymore."

A New Beginning

Yunika’s rescue underscores the vital role of community awareness and the work of organizations like Manavsewa Ashram in Nepal. Now under the Ashram's care, she is receiving much-needed medical attention and the stability she has lacked for years.

Those who wish to support the Ashram’s mission of rehabilitating individuals like Yunika can find more information or contribute via the official Manavsewa Ashram website.

Her journey from the cold pavements of Koteshwor to the safety of the Ashram serves as a powerful reminder: for vulnerable individuals, the absence of family is not just a personal loss; it is a dangerous path toward the margins of society.