In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, communities around the world have faced great loss and isolation. In particular, essential workers have been thrust into dangerous situations where they must risk the health of themselves and their loved ones. One of them is 52-year-old Kalpana, an essential worker at a hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal where she’s worked since the year 2000. Despite the risk to herself and her family, she continues to work throughout the pandemic. Here Mehar spoke to Kalpana’s daughter Siwani about her mother’s bravery.