In Sripur, a small settlement at Bariyarpatti Rural Municipality-2 in Siraha, stands a thatched hut where locals once went to hire daily labourers. Today, that same house draws crowds for an entirely different reason. A family that has long lived in hardship and despair is suddenly alight with hope.

This is the home of Satyanarayan Safi, a young man from the Dalit community who has secured a full MBBS scholarship in the national medical entrance examination conducted by the Medical Education Commission. For a family surviving on daily wages, the prospect of studying medicine—one of the country’s most expensive courses—had always seemed unimaginable. But Safi’s determination has turned that distant dream into reality.

The Safi family owns just four-and-a-half dhur of land. His father, Madhuri Safi, who once worked abroad, returned three years ago and resumed daily wage labour to support his family of seven—three sons, two daughters and his wife. Satyen is the eldest.

He completed his SEE in 2020 from Janata Secondary (Technical) School in Bariyarpatti with good marks, which encouraged him to pursue science at Arniko School in Biratnagar. After passing Grade 12 in 2022, he set his sights on studying MBBS.

Although the family lacked the financial means, Safi held on to his confidence. He went to Kathmandu in 2023 for exam preparation but was forced to return home within two months due to financial constraints. Thereafter, he worked alongside his parents as a construction labourer, saving just enough to buy textbooks while preparing through self-study. His efforts paid off when he passed the entrance test and won a scholarship seat.

“For people like us, this feels extraordinary,” Satyanarayan said. “But poverty cannot stop you if you have dedication, patience and commitment. I tried, and my belief has turned into reality. All credit goes to my parents.”

His mother, Sunita Safi, borrowed Rs80,000 from neighbours to ensure he could enrol at the Rapti Academy of Health Sciences in Dang. While the scholarship covers tuition fees, the family is now anxious about how they will manage the costs of accommodation, food, transport, and study materials—expenses far beyond their daily income.

“We are a family that struggles for the next day after finishing today’s meal,” Sunita said. “This is like a dream for us, but now that my son has secured a seat, we won’t step back. Still, we worry constantly about how we will manage such a large amount of money.”

As news of Safi’s achievement spread, well-wishers began visiting his home, some offering financial help and others promising future support. But he believes that government assistance would make his journey far more manageable.

“People from various places have been coming and expressing willingness to help—we are grateful,” he told the Post. “But if the government supported me, it would be easier. Relying solely on individual donations will be difficult.”

For now, despite the worries, the Safi family is cherishing a moment they never imagined possible. Their son, once sought out as a labourer, is now preparing to become a doctor.