The Nepali economy depends heavily on remittances sent by expatriates living and working abroad. Qatar is one of the top destinations chosen by the Nepali youth to go to. The oil-rich Gulf country boasts the highest per capita income and high human development.
Nepali citizens in Qatar work in diverse capacities, ranging from professionals to skilled to semi-skilled to unskilled workers. Many have managed to grow economically while in Qatar, starting off at the bottom and ending up as successful entrepreneurs.
Community caught up with some people who found their fortunes change in Qatar.
Mahendra Prasad Pokharel
Mahendra Prasad Pokharel entered Qatar in 2008 as a helper after being stuck in a job in Nepal for four years. After just one year, he was made a manager. Pokharel has a taste for literature, and has published two books during his time in Qatar. Pokharel, also the chairman of International Nepalese Artists’ Society (INAS), finds it fun to participate in social service and cultural activities. He now works as a custom delivery manager in a big company. “Hard work and patience can lead any Nepali worker to success,” Pokharel says.
Bishwo Bandhu Thapa
Bishwo Bandhu Thapa comes from the Kaski district, west of Kathmandu and popular for the tourist destination of Pokhara. He entered Qatar in 2007 as a heavy vehicle driver, and as of now he holds several responsibilities that include mobile crane operator, cam boss, food-in-charge and others. During his stay here, Thapa has managed to buy plots of land in Chitwan and Pokhara, both cities west of Kathmandu. He sends his kids to reputed schools and is also philanthropically active with the Kaski Ideal Society.
Ishwor Kafle
Ishwor Kafle comes from a humble family in Palpa – west of Kathmandu. He visited Qatar for the first time as a tourist. As worker, he worked as a chef in a Turkish restaurant for five years. He ended up learning Arabic and English during that time and started working in an insurance company in 2008. Kafle managed to overcome his introvert nature in his new job. He is married to a person from a different caste, which is quite unusual for Nepal, and the marriage initially caused him immense problems. But as he became successful, both financially and socially, his kith and kin gradually accepted him and his decision. Kafle actively promotes Nepali culture and arts.
He is associated with Qatar-based cultural and social organisations like Basanta Films, Nepalese Folk Society (NFS), Namaste Nepal, Palpa Service Society (PSS) and Thakuri Help Network (THN). Back in Nepal, he has donated ambulances for rural area.
Baladev Rana
Baladev Rana was only 21 when he first came to Qatar in 2000 as a cleaner. He spent a decade in his first job. Thereafter, he began working as a driver. After a short period of time, he was promoted to collection officer. Rana, a father of two daughters and one son, comes from a poor family in Puythan, a western hilly district of the country. His wife is a government employee in the agriculture department and he invests his income from Qatar in the schooling of his children. Rana is thankful to Qatar for hosting him and supporting his family. He is also active in social and philanthropic activities through organisations like Puythan Service Society.
Narayan Bista
Narayan Bista came to Qatar in 2007 as a helper. He was 23 years of age. After working as a cleaner for one year, he became a driver. Bista is from Kavre, near Kathmandu, and has attended only primary school. In Qatar, he learnt to speak and write both English and Arabic. In 2011, he became a supervisor in Buzwair Company and now owns two buses in Kathmandu. He says he never imagined that he will become this successful in Qatar.
Mohan Lal Oli
Mohan Lal Oli was 19 when he came to Qatar in 2012. He comes from Dang, an inner plain in the west of Kathmandu. He comes from a poverty-ridden family and has only attended primary school. He came to work for Pigeon Engineering Company, run by a Nepali entrepreneur. Initially a cleaner, he gradually climbed up to become a trained scaffolding inspector. He now earns double that of what he did when he came here and inspects the work of over 50 people as a foreman. A few more years and he will have enough saved up to start his own business in Nepal.
Durga Bahadur Chhetri
Durga Bahadur Chhetri, a father of three children, hails from a hilly district of Tanahu, west of Kathmandu. Chhetri has only studied up to primary level. He started as a carpenter and is now a foreman. In 2010, his salary was 1,000 riyals which has now been increased to QR2,000. With his earnings here, he has made a house in his home district. He has also brought his son to Qatar. He expects to open a construction company in Nepal with his savings in future.
Padam Khati Chhetri
Padam Khati Chhetri came to Qatar at the age of 19. In 2004, he started working as an electrical helper in Al Amoundi Trading and Contracting Company. With hard work and patience, he was promoted to an electrician after two years. Thereafter, he became a team leader and started guiding as many as 20 electricians. As of now, he is a leading salesman of at an electrical company and is earning six times his first salary. With his earnings, he has built a house in his hometown.
M P Pokharel and Bishwo Bandhu Thapa
