Ushika

Ushika and her brother Ushtav, who is one year younger, are an exception to the rule that we only support students. They suffered greatly from the earthquakes of 2015. Afterward, they were allowed to attend a free school, very far from the house where they lived with their father. There was no money for a better school closer to home. That is why 4 Smiling Faces has funded their schooling ever since, so that they can simply be children and look forward to a promising future. Both have also been regular visitors to the SHCOP after-school program for years.

Despite excellent school results, excellent prospects, and a promising future, Ushika’s mother (who had not played a role in their lives for a very long time) took her out of school in 2025 without consultation and took her elsewhere to care for a sick family member. We do not know where she is at this moment, but we do know that this was not her own choice, and that makes us endlessly sad. Hopefully, she can find her way back to us at some point; she is always welcome back in our program!