Nepal, July 19 -- I was born in Gorkha to a farming family. My brother and I went to a nearby school where I was an average student.

On weekends, neighbours took turns to work on each others' land in a traditional 'parma' system. Most young men joined the military, others went abroad. They were trying to escape being forced to join the Maoist militia.

Those who went overseas would at first tell us not to migrate because of the hardships they faced. But later, as they adjusted to the work and started sending money home, they encouraged us to leave as well.

I got a job in Qatar, but lasted only two months. I was promised an office job, but was placed in outdoor construction. I quit, and ran out of money. I spent days just eating yoghurt...