Factory Inspector, Mr. Jyoti Raj, Nepal RugMark Foundation (NRF)

"The uncertain future of our nation worries me, as do the miserable conditions that the rug children live in... So, my message to anyone buying a rug is please think about what you buy, as you could change the fate of the poor rug children."

"...it is important to work and live for others, not just ourselves, so I would like to dedicate my whole life to those rural people who are illiterate, unemployed, indigenous and vulnerable... my message to anyone buying a rug is please think about what you buy, as you could change the fate of the poor rug children."

My name is Jyoti Raj and I am 28 years old. I come from Jhapa District, a semi urban farming area, which lies around 560 km away to the east of Kathmandu. My family is middle class and we came to live in Kathmandu four years ago to look for better jobs and educational opportunities. l live with my family - my parents, younger brother, and my wife and daughter, - who are all dependent on me.

I work for Nepal RugMark Foundation, and my job is to inspect the rug production factories, talk to owners and workers and generally raise awareness about RugMark and child rights. I also co-ordinate the RugMark mobile health camp, but my priority is the children, so I check how the education and community based rehabilitation programmes are running.

When I find a needy child working in a rug factory, I try to persuade them to leave and come with me - sometimes it takes several weeks until they trust me. Also, the factory owner and guardians of the child often need convincing of the importance of the child coming to the RugMark Rehabilitation center to live and study. When they do come with me, I feel very satisfied.

I don't have high ambitions and lead quite a simple life. When I am not working, I like to visit the Hindu temple with my family – especially on holy days. For the future, I want to complete my master's degree and go on to do social work for the rural poor. I would also like to build a small house for my family and secure my daughter's future.

The uncertain future of our nation worries me, as do the miserable conditions that the rug children live in. I believe it is important to work and live for others, not just ourselves, so I would like to dedicate my whole life to those rural people who are illiterate, unemployed, indigenous and vulnerable.

In my opinion, RugMark is vitally important to Nepal. Nepal is one of the poorest countries in the world and the rug industry is it's second biggest industry, employing 300,000 people. Without RugMark the rug industry would be finished. There would be no awareness of not using children. Plus, RugMark takes these rug children and gives them the opportunity to be educated and useful citizens, this of course has a positive impact on the future of our nation.

So, my message to anyone buying a rug is please think about what you buy, as you could change the fate of the poor rug children.