Juju Kaji Maharjan is the founder of Heartbeat, which was set up to advocate and campaign for the rights of street children. Since 2009, it has been working to provide education and healthy lifestyle to children and youngsters. Through the organization, he began various campaigns such as ‘Food For Education’, ‘Art for All’ and more. During the time of pandemic, Heartbeat is distributing lunch packets at the National Kidney Center and his organization is helping three local schools for lunch. He has received Youth Ambassador for peace by UPF in 2008 and Young Achievers awards in 2011 among others.
In an interview with My City, Maharjan shared his insights and experiences on his works:
-How and what inspired you to work as a social activist?
I was born and raised in Kathmandu. My father is a farmer who, being uneducated, has always been active for social causes like land movements, building community hospitals, etc. That inspired me to do something for society. And after my SLC, I participated in various training programs. Meanwhile, I joined Lalitkala Campus and on the occasion of the International Youth Day I participated in a social event in 2006, which set me on the path of social work.
-What are the challenges you faced in your career?
You need support from people in this field but it becomes a challenge when people you trust betray you. That is the challenge. But I am blessed to earn people in my life who help me in my endeavor. And when I reflect, I feel I still need to work on my leadership skills.
-What is the meaning of life for you?
For me life is a never-ending journey with continuous imbalance and working constantly to keep it on balance.
-Currently what are working for?
I believe in a saying —give a man a fish, and he will be hungry again tomorrow; teach him to catch a fish, and he will be richer all his life—and currently I am helping women by providing them thella gaadhas (cart) and my target is to distribute 50 such thella gaadha.
-Any message you want to share to those who want to build their career in social work?
You should be passionate about working for the society and there are many challenges and imbalances while continuing in this field. I have learnt not through formal education but the lessons that life taught me and I am still learning. You should look forward to gaining people and their trust rather than money.