Sirjana’s inspiring message to women doing it tough: Don’t give up

Former Nepalese student Sirjana KC is one inspirational figurehead for women, having transformed her life in 10 years to become the general manager of an aged care home.

Sirjana KC with Bupa Bankstown residents John Seeto, Anica Derek and Jadwiga Kazub. Picture: Matthew Vasilescu

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In just 10 years, Sirjana KC has transformed herself from a struggling Nepalese student to the general manager of an aged care home and now wants other newcomers to Australia to believe in themselves because “anything is possible”.

Having come to Sydney in 2009 to do a diploma in child care, she said it was very tough in the first few years as she was alone, not proficient in English and had to pay for all her expenses.

Making it worse was the fact she was being underpaid for her casual work, saying she was not aware of the rules at the time.

Sirjana KC with resident Anica Derek. Picture: Matthew Vasilescu

With International Women’s Day being celebrated this week, Mrs KC — who was promoted to Bupa Bankstown general manager in 2018 — said her story shows what can be achieved by hard work and dedication.

“I found it very tough when I first arrived as I didn’t have any relations, didn’t know the language well and had to pay for my tuition fees and housing,” the Bankstown mother of two said.

“I went door-to-door to look for jobs and did cleaning where I was only paid $140 per week while I finished my diploma.

“I then worked for about two months in a farm near Bendigo in Victoria, where I was only paid around $20 per day despite working the full day in the hot weather.

“I picked nectarines and pruned grapes but didn’t know the Australian laws regarding pay so I was probably exploited.

If anything comes against you, don’t it get you down: Bupa Aged Care Bankstown general manager Sirjana KC. Picture: Matthew Vasilescu

“I came back to Sydney and did a certificate III in aged care and then a Bachelor of Nursing before joining Bupa Bankstown in 2013 as a resident nurse.”

In 2014 she married to Bishow Chaulagain, and went on to have two children, Sylbi, 2, and Bismark, 7 months. Her family in Sydney has expanded as her sister Laxmi arrived last year to study child care.

In 2014, Mrs KC, 32, who had worked for two years as a nurse in Nepal, was promoted manager of the Bupa home.

EARTHQUAKE SUPPORT

In April 2015, Nepal was hit by a massive earthquake, killing around 9,000 and destroying more than 600,000 structures in the capital Kathmandu and surrounding towns.

Mrs KC took two weeks leave to help the Nepalese rescue agencies, coming back a stronger person because of her experiences.

“I went back with a medical team from Australia and I learnt a lot,” Mrs KC said.

“Actually I went to help them but the people there taught me a lot of lessons.

“They were very grateful for the small things in their lives unlike many of us who are worried about the latest gadgets etc.

“I am grateful to Bupa for giving me the opportunity to learn and grow.

“My message to newcomers from other countries too is that you need to work hard day by day.

“If anything comes against you, don’t it get you down, you will always get through.

“There will be setbacks but you have to study hard as you will get there.

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“I worked hard in whatever job I did because you have to be accountable for the work.”

Mrs KC, who did volunteer work for Salvation Army in Auburn before the birth of her children, said women should not be held back.

“A lot of women in Nepal are becoming more educated and they need to come forward and not just blame the men,” she said.

“Sometimes we women hold ourselves back.”

Mrs KC is now keen to do a post graduate degree in diabetic management in honour of her late father who died of diabetic complications, aged 48.

“I want to contribute to helping those who suffer from diabetes as my Dad passed away too young from this disease,” she said.