A Fight for a Cup of Chai
About
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A Fight for a Cup of Chai
 A nonfiction book about labor, loss, and resilienceÂ
Set in 1990s Kathmandu, this book tells the true story of a young factory worker navigating poverty, labor, and identity—and the human cost behind everyday goods. A simple request for a tea break becomes a moment of reckoning, leading to injury, loss, and an enduring fight for dignity.Â
Written in short chapters with accessible language, A Fight for a Cup of Chai connects personal experience to larger questions of labor rights, migration, and belonging.Â
For Educators:
This book is currently used in U.S. high-school classrooms (grades 9–12) for ELA, Global Studies, and Civics, including Global Studies classroom in New York City that use station-based discussion, close reading, and collaborative analysis.Â
 PraiseÂ
“A powerful and unforgettable story of resilience.”Â
“This book should be taught in high school classrooms.”
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Trailer
Praise for this book
"Amazing memoir for any history curriculum about labor struggles and resilience
A beautifully crafted memoir that should be taught as part of any high school and college history curriculum, as well as anyone interested in learning about the formation of unions and the sacrifices individuals make to help others who come after them. It offers insight into the efforts unions have made to stop the exploitation of workers at the hands of greedy factory owners and managers only looking out for themselves."
"A Fight for a Cup of Chai is a deeply moving and eye-opening memoir about resilience, determination, and the fight for dignity. Sanman Thapa’s journey from the factory floors of Kathmandu to a new life in New York is both heartbreaking and inspiring, offering a rare glimpse into Nepal’s labor movement and the struggles of those who dared to demand more. I was completely absorbed in his story—his perseverance, the friendships he forged, and the sacrifices he made all felt incredibly real and personal. This is the kind of book that sticks with you long after you turn the last page."
A Modern Day Jungle
Reviewed in the United States on February 22, 2025
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The account of labor disputes in A Fight for a Cup of Chai will immediately remind you of Upton Sinclair. As a teacher of history, this book resonated so well with the plight that so many humans endure daily all over the world- some days are a small win and some days are absolutely tragic and you don't know how you will carry on. The author personifies the resilience that we as men and women in strange times must rise up and embrace- that with tragedy comes strength- with advocacy comes hope- and with resilience comes success. It is a book I will be sharing with my students for years to come. Wonderfully done.