You may have heard about the disasters in many parts of Nepal caused by overwhelming monsoon rains generating terrible floods and devastating landslides. Although the small village of Etay, where Namo Buddha School is located was spared, some villages a few hills away were totally wiped out. Houses and agricultural land with crops have gone, leaving hundreds of distressed villagers on a precarious edge.
A while ago, the Principal of our school was contacted by the community leaders of a small village 3 hills away that suffered badly, asking to help a small 4 years old little boy caught up in the disaster. The family lost everything they had – the small mud farmhouse is now too dangerous to live in, the land with crops and the stable with its animals have gone. They are now destitute. Like many others in the same situation, the young father and mother tried to rebuild their lives but disaster struck again when the father, unable to cope, hung himself. Being the only son, Little Rabin had to perform the funeral rites.
There is no government help either practical or financial for such widows. Our school Principal reminded us that in Nepal, especially rural areas, when the husband dies in un-natural circumstances, women are often accused by the in-laws and neighbours of bringing bad luck. Life can become very tough for them if they stay, this is why many young mothers will move to another district, abandoning their small child or children, looking for a new life and a new partner. Child abandonment and child trafficking are rife in rural areas as a result. In several cases over the past years, Alain personally had to intervene, with the help of close friends acting as mediators and managed to secure the position of the young widows at their late husband’s home.
In 4 cases so far, we have been able to make sure the mother would stay put by guaranteeing the welfare, health and education of the child/children, but we have not always been successful. Meanwhile Rabin is safe and in full education with us.
