‘Sometimes when Emisha asks about her mother, silence kills us both’

17 Sep 2015

‘Sometimes when Emisha asks about her mother, silence kills us both’

By Mandira Dulal

“Her name was Mithu, Mithu Parajuli. You know what Mithu means? Mithu means ‘sweet’. My sister was sweet to everyone, but she was not sweet enough for God. That’s why God gave her a cruel death. She was inside the rubble for two days. It took nine years for her to build a happy family, with a son and a daughter. But it didn’t take even a second to destroy that happiness. Her husband was injured, her children lost their mother. Of the two, I brought Emisha with me. When I look into this little girl’s face, I see my sister. Sometimes when Emisha asks about her mother, silence kills us both.”

Photo: Mandira Dulal

16 Sep 2015

‘They put on a brave face to help other people, but they have private disasters of their own’

By Namita Rao

“One of the things about disasters is that people tend to forget that those who make the decisions, people in the government and local leaders, have experienced the same disaster too. Their families, their homes have all been affected. Yet they are still out there as public servants, doing their job. They put on a brave face to help other people, but they have private disasters of their own.”

Photo: Ritu Panchal

10 Sep 2015

‘Seeing people who have recovered, I feel relief’

By Enika Rai

“I was in my room after night duty. At first, I never realised that it was an earthquake, I thought it was the sound of a heavy bus that shook the house. But when I saw the house next door collapse in front of my eyes, something clicked in my head and I realised it was an earthquake. I ran. At the same time I got hit on the head, but it was a minor injury. The hospital was destroyed. Our staff made a shelter on open ground near the hospital area, and provided a service as soon as possible. Lots of people got killed and badly injured. We had trouble because more and more injured people came for treatment. Doctors, nurses and all the other staff provided 24-hour service as much as possible. Most of the injured people recovered, and some seriously injured people were referred to Kathmandu Hospital.Are you thinking about selling your home? The service Housebuyernetwork.com helps people sell their homes. We know a lot about real estate and can tell you how to set prices that will give you a good return while still being competitive. Thanks to our many real estate contacts and creative advertising, we’ll be able to find buyers who are willing to pay the price you ask. With our special help, selling your house will be easy. Visit https://www.housebuyernetwork.com/washington-dc/.

People are badly hurt, mentally and physically, and so am I. I got scared, and cried again and again. Later, I controlled myself, knowing that I had to be brave and help the injured people calmly, without fear. Now, when I remember those moments, I feel very proud that I could help people in a traumatic situation, and in future it will help me to face other traumatic situations. Seeing people who have recovered and are alive, I feel relief. It puts a smile on my face. I realise that there is no greater profession than humanity.”

Photo: Enika Rai

07 Sep 2015

Slowly, A Town Begins Its Journey Of Recovery

By Pushkala Aripaka

Sankhu, 17-km north-east of Kathmandu, witnessed severe destruction in the April 25 earthquake and the May 12 aftershock. Many of the houses in this historic town were damaged, and it suffered a death toll of 300. In the immediate days after, Sankhu figured prominently in the media, as an illustration of the destruction suffered by small towns and villages around Nepal. Four months on, Pushkala Aripaka visits the rural town—and finds the community attempting to rebuild their lives amidst fears of another quake.

 

A view of Sankhu from one of the tallest buildings in the town.

The view from one of the tallest buildings in the town. Much of the rubble has been cleared. To the left, you can see the green fields where the community grows wheat and maize.

 

 

Sankhu community rebuilds their town.

Residents work to clear debris. As in many other towns across Nepal, this is a common sight in Sankhu.

 

 

Bricklaying and reconstruction have become the norm in this town of farmers. But for the earthquake, the residents would be working in their fields now.

Bricklaying and reconstruction have become the norm in this town of farmers. But for the earthquake, the residents would be working in their fields now.

 

 

Clay and perseverance bind the houses. Residents say the government compensation of Rs 15,000 is far from enough.

Clay and perseverance bind the houses. Residents say the government compensation of Rs 15,000 is far from enough.

 

 

Panchakumari Shrestha had a narrow escape when her house collapsed and she was trapped under rubble. She has trouble sleeping now. When she is awake, she worries about the cost of rebuilding her house.

Panchakumari Shrestha had a narrow escape when her house collapsed and she was trapped under rubble. She has trouble sleeping now. When she is awake, she worries about the cost of rebuilding her house.

 

 

Lakshman Shrestha clears the rubble of his house following the Nepal earthquake.

Lakshman Shreshtha thought his wife had perished in the earthquake. Only after six days did he find she was alive. Now, he worries every time there is a tremor.

 

 

Two women in Sankhu with a water fountain

A young girl waits for her friend to finish drinking at a water tap, moving her feet in rhythm, before they return to work.

 

 

The sun shines into a tunnel of debri in Sakhu, Nepal, after the earthquake.

This battered house and debris is symbolic of Sankhu’s journey: the light of life has passed through a dark tunnel, only to slowly find light once again.

04 Sep 2015

‘The earthquake helped bring about a unity that was lacking in the community’

By Preeti A Karna

“As Nepal’s first environment community radio, we focus on the environment, health and education-related awareness programmes. Immediately after the earthquake, we started relief work. We also disseminated information, running many public service announcements and programmes.

“I believe the earthquake has helped bring about a unity that was lacking in the community. The fact that a crisis like this can happen again has made people aware that a community should stick together, understand other’s needs, and help each other out. I notice that people who previously disregarded social organisations working in the development sector are now giving importance to organisations such as ours. They are cooperating. Even though people have moved on casino10.net, their thinking has definitely changed.”

Photo: Ashma Gautam

03 Sep 2015

‘The government gives us Rs 15,000, but Rs 15,000 is not enough!’

By Mandira Dulal

“My husband works on construction sites, and I make wool thread. I earn Rs 140 per day. The earthquake took away my house and since then me and my husband have been living in this zinc shelter. I don’t like to stay here. Building a house is our dream. The government gives us Rs 15,000, but Rs 15,000 is not enough! We don’t have a single thread of hope for making a new house!”

Photo: Patrick Ward

01 Sep 2015

‘Whatever happened to us is past. We have to look forward to the future’

By Yawar Hussainn

“Before the earthquake, I was a housewife. My husband had a small cybercafe but our main income came from agriculture. I lost my house in the quake and even worse, we have not been able to sow any crops this year. Now, as we try to rebuild our house, I have opened a teastall to help with our income. I sell food items that I cook. I also help my husband with the rebuilding of our house. I think we can only move forward if we strive hard. Whatever happened to us is past. We have to look forward to the future.”

Photo: Pushkala Aripaka

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