Nepal Part 2: Hope Among the Ruins
Laurie Kelley
September 14, 2015
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| Laxmi (our lovely program director of the Nepal Hemophilia |
When visiting developing countries, I love visiting hemophilia families out in their homes, something I’ve been doing for almost 20 years. These can
be rough days. It’s hot, we’re at a high altitude in Kathmandu, Nepal; my heart
pounds when I exert myself too much, and I get dehydrated quickly. But think of
what these families endure, especially post-earthquake. They give me strength.
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| Binita’s house |
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| Binita and son Aayush |
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| Laurie Kelley and Aayush |
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| Ujol, Guyatri, Binita, Laurie, Barun, Nirmal, Manil |
Society), Gyatri (admin assistant) and Beda (person with hemophilia and president of NHS) came at 10 to get me in a sturdy land rover. I had four gift bags of donated
items for any kids we would visit. We dodged
the traffic jams of downtown Kathmandu and hit the outskirts. Our first stop was not too far. We parked the
car, stepped out. Before starting the ascent of stairs to our first home, I noticed a lowly worm
writing in the dust at the foot of the first stair, ants crawling on it. I love
garden creatures, worms especially (I guess because they are so helpless), and
always am fascinated when I find them. To the horror of my hosts, I bent over
and picked it up and tossed it gently into the plants, so it could live. The
ants would surely eat it. Laxmi gasped… but Beda said, “It’s a living thing,
too.” “Yes, I added, and they are good for the earth.” I made them laugh when I
cheered, “Save One Life!” Or worm.
items for any kids we would visit. We dodged
the traffic jams of downtown Kathmandu and hit the outskirts. Our first stop was not too far. We parked the
car, stepped out. Before starting the ascent of stairs to our first home, I noticed a lowly worm
writing in the dust at the foot of the first stair, ants crawling on it. I love
garden creatures, worms especially (I guess because they are so helpless), and
always am fascinated when I find them. To the horror of my hosts, I bent over
and picked it up and tossed it gently into the plants, so it could live. The
ants would surely eat it. Laxmi gasped… but Beda said, “It’s a living thing,
too.” “Yes, I added, and they are good for the earth.” I made them laugh when I
cheered, “Save One Life!” Or worm.
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| Living in a shed |
The house we
visited was grand, tall, mounted on a small hill. But it was damaged in the earthquake
and now has been deemed unlivable. Binita greeted us; she’s a beautiful woman, but
her eyes carry such sadness in them. Her husband, a handsome man in his early
40s, died last year of cancer. This leaves her a widow, never able to remarry
according to custom, and alone now with a child with hemophilia in a land that
provides no factor, save for donations that trickle in. There are never enough
donations for the needs.
visited was grand, tall, mounted on a small hill. But it was damaged in the earthquake
and now has been deemed unlivable. Binita greeted us; she’s a beautiful woman, but
her eyes carry such sadness in them. Her husband, a handsome man in his early
40s, died last year of cancer. This leaves her a widow, never able to remarry
according to custom, and alone now with a child with hemophilia in a land that
provides no factor, save for donations that trickle in. There are never enough
donations for the needs.
She greeted me
warmly and we hugged, as if we had known each other for years. We gingerly stepped
inside. Cracks and fallen plaster abounded. We climbed the wooden stairs, up to
the second and then third floors, until we stood on the upper balcony, which
provided a rich view of lush Kathmandu Valley. What a shame; this is truly a
lovely house.
warmly and we hugged, as if we had known each other for years. We gingerly stepped
inside. Cracks and fallen plaster abounded. We climbed the wooden stairs, up to
the second and then third floors, until we stood on the upper balcony, which
provided a rich view of lush Kathmandu Valley. What a shame; this is truly a
lovely house.
Aayush, her son,
a handsome young boy with a dazzling smile gladly let us take photos.
a handsome young boy with a dazzling smile gladly let us take photos.
Back downstairsand we navigated through the dirt and sometimes mud to Binita’s temporary
house. This means she lives in a corrugated steel shed. Yes, a shed. It bakes
them in the intense heat, and deafens them when the rains come. There is no
insulation or luxury. The carpets on the floor were soaked. We kicked off our
shoes at the door, as is the custom, before entering and our feet were wet
immediately. Kindly, Binita poured us Mountain Dew, a popular drink here. We sat and chatted. On the wall were photos of
her and her husband from when they got married. A beautiful couple, full of
hope.
I asked Laxmi
about her situation. “Will she be able to remarry one day?” “Oh no,” Laxmi
said. “She cannot.” Many women, some young, lost their husbands during the
decade-long armed Maoist insurgency, I’ve read. To remarry, even when widowed
at the tender age of 21, would be to flaunt the social order. And the pressure
can be intense and cruel. It’s difficult for a woman to be single here. Almost
impossible. Binita added, “Nine people live here too.” Her in-laws, and more. I
looked around slowly. The shed couldn’t be more than 15 ft x 20 ft. Nine
people…
about her situation. “Will she be able to remarry one day?” “Oh no,” Laxmi
said. “She cannot.” Many women, some young, lost their husbands during the
decade-long armed Maoist insurgency, I’ve read. To remarry, even when widowed
at the tender age of 21, would be to flaunt the social order. And the pressure
can be intense and cruel. It’s difficult for a woman to be single here. Almost
impossible. Binita added, “Nine people live here too.” Her in-laws, and more. I
looked around slowly. The shed couldn’t be more than 15 ft x 20 ft. Nine
people…
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| Reconstruction everywhere |
When we emerged from the
shed, we caught Barun (a man with hemophilia who used to be on the executive
committee of the Nepal Hemophilia Society) smoking over by a barrel. We
tsk-tsked him but he jokingly quipped, “My painkiller.” We trudged back to the car a slightly
different way, and eventually down a paved road by a massive wall of stone.
“This had been totally collapsed from the earthquake,” Laxmi narrated. Looking
up, we saw men diligently at work, cementing the new stones in place. It seemed
everywhere in Kathmandu construction was happening.
Next stop, Puskar’s home. This took us further out away from Kathmandu, into a
more rural area, in the Kageshwaori Municipality, a town called Sanchez. The
drive was probably not more than 40 minutes. We parked near a field, and then hiked
down a dirt road. Up ahead was a terrible site: a brick home, completely collapsed.
Caved in, red dusty bricks strewn everywhere, but mostly in a vermillion heap.
Laxman, the father, stood nearby. He has a handsome, intense face, with a flash
of white teeth and readily smiles. Which is hard to believe when you look at
what is left of his house. Puskar, who was at school, is 11, factor VIII
deficient.
more rural area, in the Kageshwaori Municipality, a town called Sanchez. The
drive was probably not more than 40 minutes. We parked near a field, and then hiked
down a dirt road. Up ahead was a terrible site: a brick home, completely collapsed.
Caved in, red dusty bricks strewn everywhere, but mostly in a vermillion heap.
Laxman, the father, stood nearby. He has a handsome, intense face, with a flash
of white teeth and readily smiles. Which is hard to believe when you look at
what is left of his house. Puskar, who was at school, is 11, factor VIII
deficient.
We peppered him
with questions: where was he when the quake hit on April 25? What happened?
with questions: where was he when the quake hit on April 25? What happened?
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| Ujol and Laurie at Puskar’s home |
Laxman said he
was outside; no one was in the home, thankfully. Indeed, it seems that everyone
considers themselves lucky. Lucky that it was a Saturday, and more people were
not in office buildings. Lucky it was not a school day, or more children would
have died. Lucky, lucky, lucky. It’s a testament to their faith, their reliance
that despite their profound losses, they consider themselves lucky.
was outside; no one was in the home, thankfully. Indeed, it seems that everyone
considers themselves lucky. Lucky that it was a Saturday, and more people were
not in office buildings. Lucky it was not a school day, or more children would
have died. Lucky, lucky, lucky. It’s a testament to their faith, their reliance
that despite their profound losses, they consider themselves lucky.
Chatting in
Nepalese, the father and the group of NHS executives all laughed. I marveled at
how he could be laughing when fate has dealt him blow after blow: a child with
hemophilia, poverty, earthquake. There’s no self-pity, only perseverance and
reliance.
Nepalese, the father and the group of NHS executives all laughed. I marveled at
how he could be laughing when fate has dealt him blow after blow: a child with
hemophilia, poverty, earthquake. There’s no self-pity, only perseverance and
reliance.
We then took a
walk, through an open field that was actually refreshing in the mid-day heat,
and then through rice crops, startling green and lush, and then over a creek. I
had to jump across. For Barun, it was a challenge as he has contractures in his
joints. With helping hands from Ujol, the NHS general secretary and father of a son
with hemophilia, Barun made it across. We spied a steel, corrugated shed, just
like Binita’s, up ahead. This was Laxman’s temporary home. Inside, much the same
as Binita’s: hot, dark with a wet floor. Laxman’s wife was present, and sweetly
presented us with Mountain Dew.
walk, through an open field that was actually refreshing in the mid-day heat,
and then through rice crops, startling green and lush, and then over a creek. I
had to jump across. For Barun, it was a challenge as he has contractures in his
joints. With helping hands from Ujol, the NHS general secretary and father of a son
with hemophilia, Barun made it across. We spied a steel, corrugated shed, just
like Binita’s, up ahead. This was Laxman’s temporary home. Inside, much the same
as Binita’s: hot, dark with a wet floor. Laxman’s wife was present, and sweetly
presented us with Mountain Dew.
The hospitality
of the poor never ceases to amaze me.
of the poor never ceases to amaze me.
We chatted a
while, and took photos. I asked Laxman who was helping him rebuild his home.
With Laxmi (the program director of NHS) translating, he replied, “No one. I’m
doing it myself.” He works in the daytime at a desk job, then returns each
evening to lay bricks. All this was said without self-pity or arrogance.
while, and took photos. I asked Laxman who was helping him rebuild his home.
With Laxmi (the program director of NHS) translating, he replied, “No one. I’m
doing it myself.” He works in the daytime at a desk job, then returns each
evening to lay bricks. All this was said without self-pity or arrogance.
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| Puskar’s temporary home |
When we walked
outside we caught Barun again having a smoke, and kidded him about his painkiller.
Though this time I think he really needed it.
outside we caught Barun again having a smoke, and kidded him about his painkiller.
Though this time I think he really needed it.
We brushed
through the rice fields again, and back to our trusty Land Rover. Our next stop
was to go to the school Puskar attends. It was a short drive, and an impressive
school. With 400 uniformed children, the school provided classes, recreation (including
a pool) and hot meals. American cartoon characters were brightly painted on the
faded yellow wall surrounding the school. Just inside the main gate, gaily
colored statues of Buddha, Shiva and Kali.
through the rice fields again, and back to our trusty Land Rover. Our next stop
was to go to the school Puskar attends. It was a short drive, and an impressive
school. With 400 uniformed children, the school provided classes, recreation (including
a pool) and hot meals. American cartoon characters were brightly painted on the
faded yellow wall surrounding the school. Just inside the main gate, gaily
colored statues of Buddha, Shiva and Kali.
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| Kali |
I asked the
headmistress how she felt caring for a child with hemophilia at her school. “It
is fine,” she said in perfect English. “We welcome him. The father told us
about hemophilia, and we know what to do.” She added, in more measured tones,
“We do ask that the children not push him or hurt him. So he often does not
play as much as the others.” While she spoke, Puskar walked up, a gangly
11-year-old, all arm and legs, slim, with pale skin, and large eyes. I’m sure
he felt embarrassed being called out in front of his classmates, who were all
seated quietly under a canopy, eating lunch.
headmistress how she felt caring for a child with hemophilia at her school. “It
is fine,” she said in perfect English. “We welcome him. The father told us
about hemophilia, and we know what to do.” She added, in more measured tones,
“We do ask that the children not push him or hurt him. So he often does not
play as much as the others.” While she spoke, Puskar walked up, a gangly
11-year-old, all arm and legs, slim, with pale skin, and large eyes. I’m sure
he felt embarrassed being called out in front of his classmates, who were all
seated quietly under a canopy, eating lunch.
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| Laxman and son Puskar |
The headmistress
pointed to the main building, which had visible cracks. “Normally we have class
in there,” she explained, “but due to the earthquake, we have to hold class
outside.”
pointed to the main building, which had visible cracks. “Normally we have class
in there,” she explained, “but due to the earthquake, we have to hold class
outside.”
Puskar waited patiently, answered some basic questions in English, which he is
studying. But I could tell he really wanted to get back to his classmates! We
excused him and he took off like a shot, with all of us admonishing him to slow
down! It did no good.
We piled back
into the Land Rover and headed for the next house. This was in an area very
hard hit by the earthquake. Every single building had damage, and whole blocks
were nothing but rubble. The earthquake loosened the plaster, covering the buildings,
and the bricks tumbled out like a Lego set dumped from a box. It looked like a bomb had gone off in
the center square. In what used to be a park in the center were tents, and squatters
in the them.
into the Land Rover and headed for the next house. This was in an area very
hard hit by the earthquake. Every single building had damage, and whole blocks
were nothing but rubble. The earthquake loosened the plaster, covering the buildings,
and the bricks tumbled out like a Lego set dumped from a box. It looked like a bomb had gone off in
the center square. In what used to be a park in the center were tents, and squatters
in the them.
A mother shylytagged alongside me, holding a wide-eyed baby in her arms. She was dirty, thin,
but coy. I find the people are always surprised when you smile back and chat
with them. She was excited to make contact; her baby not so much, as he leaned
way back away from me. She lived in the tent now, and came from another village
that was totally destroyed. I thought ironically, we pay to go camping in
tents. Her life is now reduced to living in a tent like a refugee.
On to Danchi, Sankhu.We next arrived at the home of Achyut Shrestha, age 26, who wasn’t at home.
He’s a government employee now, and no longer in the Save One Life program;
another success! The tall, narrow brick home stood on a corner. The mother, a
short, dark woman in a flaming red sari, descended slowly down the stairs. She
gave us a namaste, and clasped my hands, so happy to see us. Her daughter was
also present, and warmly greeted us. They invited us in right away, something I
was not so sure we should do. Up the concrete stairs and ducking, entered the
small second story room. Cracks veined every wall, and fresh concrete had just
been applied to patch up some. It’s a poor home, and not livable. “We use this
in the day time to cook,” the mother explained. “But at night we sleep
somewhere else.” The government has condemned most of the buildings in town.
I’m not sure what will be the fate of everyone.
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| Hospitality in the temporary home |
The funds donated
by Save One Life and the Mary Gooley Treatment Center (Rochester, NY) will help
pay for repairs. We walked down the road, out side the town, and saw sprawling
hills, green fields and small temples. Next to the temples, more tents; a half
naked baby boy toddled outside one of them. We smiled at his charm, but inside
felt sad about his condition. Down the road, around a bend, we came to another
part of town. The mother explained she was having a new house built. Sure
enough, a man, woman and young girl were busy laying bricks. There would be two
homes, in one building.
by Save One Life and the Mary Gooley Treatment Center (Rochester, NY) will help
pay for repairs. We walked down the road, out side the town, and saw sprawling
hills, green fields and small temples. Next to the temples, more tents; a half
naked baby boy toddled outside one of them. We smiled at his charm, but inside
felt sad about his condition. Down the road, around a bend, we came to another
part of town. The mother explained she was having a new house built. Sure
enough, a man, woman and young girl were busy laying bricks. There would be two
homes, in one building.
Why two? She
smiled shyly. “Because I have two sons.” I realize she wants them married with
their own homes. We all smiled.
smiled shyly. “Because I have two sons.” I realize she wants them married with
their own homes. We all smiled.
Our last stop was the home of the
Rajbchak family. Here live the parents and two young men with hemophilia,
Jagatman (age 25) and Jagatlal (nicknamed “Monsoon”). Monsoon was on hand to greet
us and was the only family member who spoke English, and not just English but
flawless English. He was charming and intelligent. To the left, the remnants of
his two-story family home. Half the house collapsed into the lot next to it. I
climbed the rubble heap to have a closer look, and down at my feet, amidst the
ruins, fresh, strong sprouts were shooting up. It reminded me of a quote from
Robert Frost when asked about the meaning of life. His response, “It goes on.”
The sprouts reminded me of the reliance of the Nepalese.
Rajbchak family. Here live the parents and two young men with hemophilia,
Jagatman (age 25) and Jagatlal (nicknamed “Monsoon”). Monsoon was on hand to greet
us and was the only family member who spoke English, and not just English but
flawless English. He was charming and intelligent. To the left, the remnants of
his two-story family home. Half the house collapsed into the lot next to it. I
climbed the rubble heap to have a closer look, and down at my feet, amidst the
ruins, fresh, strong sprouts were shooting up. It reminded me of a quote from
Robert Frost when asked about the meaning of life. His response, “It goes on.”
The sprouts reminded me of the reliance of the Nepalese.
Monsoon, like the others, had no
self-pity. How could anyone? They all faced the same problems. The boys’ father
appeared, a strong man, who is in the process of also singlehandedly building a
new home. It’s also a metal shed, but he is plastering the walls to make it more
livable. It’s much bigger than the other sheds. We stood inside for a photo.
self-pity. How could anyone? They all faced the same problems. The boys’ father
appeared, a strong man, who is in the process of also singlehandedly building a
new home. It’s also a metal shed, but he is plastering the walls to make it more
livable. It’s much bigger than the other sheds. We stood inside for a photo.
We walked down the road to see ourmagnum opus: a mobile cell phone repair shop. Though humble by Western
standards, the shop was perched at a crossroads (perfect location!) and had an
open front that promoted watches, toys, picture frames and candy. Inside,
visible from the front counter, was a young man busily at work: Jagatman. He’s
rather famous to both Save One Life and Project SHARE.
We first heard of Jagatman when he needed
to have his leg amputated, result of an untreated bleed. We quickly gave the
donation and the operation was a success. He has an artificial leg that enables
him to walk about without crutches. So here he is: 26, one leg, hemophilia,
with no home. He was busy at work, surrounded by all sorts of electrical parts,
wires and circuits. He knew what he was doing. Through Save One Life he
received a scholarship to get training in cell phone repair. Then, with our
mircrogrant, he opened his own repair shop.
to have his leg amputated, result of an untreated bleed. We quickly gave the
donation and the operation was a success. He has an artificial leg that enables
him to walk about without crutches. So here he is: 26, one leg, hemophilia,
with no home. He was busy at work, surrounded by all sorts of electrical parts,
wires and circuits. He knew what he was doing. Through Save One Life he
received a scholarship to get training in cell phone repair. Then, with our
mircrogrant, he opened his own repair shop.
I consider him a miracle, a marvel.He has unending reservoirs of strength. He paused long enough to smile and
thank us, but got back to work. I think he wanted to prove to us that our
investment was well used!
We all started to relax, seeing the
man he has become, tired after our long day, and happy with this family’s
enduring success. The boys’ mother brought out fresh yogurt drink, which was
lovely after a long day with no food. We entirely forgot about lunch! At least
seven hours had slipped but without food.
man he has become, tired after our long day, and happy with this family’s
enduring success. The boys’ mother brought out fresh yogurt drink, which was
lovely after a long day with no food. We entirely forgot about lunch! At least
seven hours had slipped but without food.
Monsoon shared, “The shop is doingwell. We are making about $500 a month now. But we have to pay rent and for the
items.” Still, $500 a month is an astounding figure for Nepal, and for a
disabled person, and just after a major earthquake.
When it was time to go, we shook
hands, gave our namastes, and waved good-bye. The long and bumpy ride back to
Kathmandu was punctuated with laughs and shrieks from the back seats: the young
people, Laxmi, Barun, Nirmal, were swapping stories and jokes. I didn’t know what
they were saying but their laughter gave me so much pleasure and hope.
hands, gave our namastes, and waved good-bye. The long and bumpy ride back to
Kathmandu was punctuated with laughs and shrieks from the back seats: the young
people, Laxmi, Barun, Nirmal, were swapping stories and jokes. I didn’t know what
they were saying but their laughter gave me so much pleasure and hope.
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| Jagatman and brother Jagatlal, who both have hemophilia |
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| Jagatman’s store: a Save One Life success story! |
The Nepalese seem to have great
faith, and the most reliant of spirits. It seems nothing can keep them down
long. I hope this is true, because they still have much to do in the aftermath
of April 25. But they—we—will do it together.
faith, and the most reliant of spirits. It seems nothing can keep them down
long. I hope this is true, because they still have much to do in the aftermath
of April 25. But they—we—will do it together.
