Universal Children's Day special - Reaching out to the most vulnerable
"Sometimes, I remember my parents. I wish they were alive," says Sabitri.
She is just eleven years old but she has been through a lot. Sabitri lost her parents at an early age and later she also lost her ancestral house to fire. "Those were really unfortunate times," she recalls.
After losing her house, she and her two underage siblings had to take refuge at a neighbour's house for two long years. "I lived in a single room with my brother and sister and it was very crammed and uncomfortable. The house owner wanted us to move out of his house and taunted us repeatedly for minor things. At times we were not even allowed to cook inside the room and slept without food on many occasions."
Seeing the pressing need of these children in Jumla District, World Vision supported them with financial assistance to build a new house. "World Vision has supported us at such a critical time and built us a new house. I feel safe to live here with my brother and sister. Now, nobody can force us out of our own house and I feel so relieved!" she says.
"Living without parents is tough but living without a house is equally agonising," says Sabitri's elder sister, Samjhana. "A house is not just doors, walls and a ceiling; a house is a place which provides you shelter and protection."
"As a girl I felt threatened to live at my neighbour's house. I did not feel living there was safe for me and my sister. If we had our father or mother with us the situation would have been different but sadly that is not the case," says 15-year-old Samjhana.
Currently, she is studying in grade 11 and aspires to be a nurse and help others in need. "We have been through such difficult times and it has really motivated me to help other needy people. Therefore, I want to work in the health sector and maybe by healing others' pain I can forget my own suffering."
The house construction was swiftly completed within 30 days and there is also a small garden in the adjacent space where the three siblings have currently planted maize, cabbage and other vegetables. "Usually, my elder brother and sister look after the vegetables and crops but I also help them from time to time. I am a big girl now and I also help them with cooking," says Sabitri.
Sabitri has also received educational materials from World Vision at her school. "I received books, pencils and a school bag. I use them every day at school," she says with a wide smile. She aspires to become a teacher.
World Vision addresses the needs of most vulnerable children and supports them to live life in all its fullness.
Learn more about how World Vision is reaching out to the most vulnerabe children in Lamjung District through this video.