‘They have not told me the name of his disease. They just said my son will never be normal’

‘They have not told me the name of his disease. They just said my son will never be normal’

“They wanted to kill my son because he is not normal. That is why I left my husband and his family in Ramechhap. That was 15 years ago. Since then I have been living here. I work as a maid so that I can rent a room and take care of my son.

“But then the earthquake came and now I live in this camp. It is very difficult. My son cannot control his voice and he is very loud. The others here get angry about him and complain. We are not part of the community here. I want to move, but nobody will rent me a room because of him. So I have to continue here.

“Every day I take my son to the school for disabled children. It is tough, because he cannot walk by himself. I put my arms around him so he does not fall. It’s even worse here in the camp because the paths are not straight. So every morning we stumble on the way together, and in the afternoon we stumble back.

“Whenever I can afford it, I prepare noodles for him. It’s what he loves most. It makes me happy to see him full of joy and relaxed. The doctors have given me some medicine, not to cure him, just to calm him. They have not told me the name of his disease. They just said my son will never be normal.

“But all the hardship does not matter. Because of all what happened during the earthquake I love my son even more than before. We all have lost so much, but I still have him.”

Photo: Sven Wolters

‘We became best friends because of the earthquake’

“We became best friends because of the earthquake. Her house collapsed and her family was moved to this camp, even though they are not from around here. Then she got admitted to the same school I am going to. First I saw her there and when I saw her again later in the camp, I talked to her. And since that day we became best friends.”

Photo: Pratik Rana

‘Before the earthquake, I would have targeted an A+. But now…’

“If we could at least have light, electricity and drinking water I could prepare well for the School Leaving Certificate exam. It is the most important one. But it is difficult to concentrate and study in a tent. Before the earthquake, I would have targeted an A+. But now I can only hope to get at least an A.”

Photo: Pratik Rana

‘Prince Harry’s visit does not make a difference at all’

“Prince Harry’s visit does not make a difference at all. He only came here because of Beckham. At least Beckham played football with my nephew when he was here a few months ago. But nothing change even then. I have heard much about donations provided from around the world, but it has not reached us.

Photo: Pratik Rana

‘I want the king back’

“I want the king back. Now the prince of another country came to us to know what we are going through. If we had our own king and a prince, then they would have visited us instead. And our situation would be better.”

Photo: Pratik Rana Magar