Waiting for relief

Nine-year-old Apsara Majhi, waits patiently at a World Vision distribution camp, in Sindhuli, after a long one-hour walk to reach the distribution point.

Around her neck dangles a World Vision registered child badge, as she trots along with her mother.

Finding a means to keep busy, she indulges in a game of toss with small stones with her playful 6-year-old cousin Rupesh.

Sangita Majhi, Apsara’s mother, hovers around keeping an eye on the brood and simultaneously listening intently to the announcements being made, as the distribution begins.

Even before the earthquake, cocooned in the majestic mountains canopying Sindhuli, Apsara’s community, the Majhis an indigenous group, lived a life of extreme hardship. With abject poverty a daily reality, Apsara’s family faces the effects of residing in a secluded province.

"It’s a tough life. I get up in the morning and feed the livestock before doing other household work. When my daughter gets up we warm the leftovers from the day before to eat and then she leaves for school. We are surviving only because of the little income that my husband makes," says Sangita Majhi.

Part of the mass migration of Nepal’s low-skilled workers, Apsara’s father moved in search of viable job opportunities to prolong the survival of his precious family unit.

"My husband works in Qatar as a casual labourer. The money he sends keeps us going, but damage caused by the earthquake has made our lives more difficult. We are waiting for him to come back. He will have to stay back in Nepal until we set up our temporary home. I fear that by the time he is here, he will lose his job back in Qatar," says Sangita.

We are surviving only because of the little income that my husband makes.

Recalling the events unfolding on the day of earthquake Sangita says, "The kids were eating in the house and suddenly the earth started shaking. We all ran out. Everyone was scared especially the children. They were in shock."

Unfortunately, Apsara started associating eating with the earthquake. The act of eating became a daunting reminder of the earthquake.

Their house succumbed to the violent shaking, along with many others in their village.

"In the initial days after the earthquake, it was difficult to get the kids to eat because they thought that if they would sit to eat, the earthquake would come again. It took a lot of convincing and ensuring them that sitting down and eating doesn’t cause an earthquake. Finally Apsara ate," says Sangita.

Stopping their game midway, Apsara and Rupesh walk past the people standing in line for relief goods, to a big empty area. The vastness of open nothingness brought, the children, a kind of solace by easing their restless minds.

"I am worried for her. Ever since earthquake her behaviour has changed. Now, Apsara refuses to go anywhere near the house or near buildings. She roams the streets all day and fears coming home," says Sangita.

Realising that their turn to receive relief goods draws near, and Sangita signals vigorously for the kids to return.

"Come here and stand in a line. I’ll need your help to carry the goods," says Sangita.

Hearing their name called out Sangita and Apsara move forward to the verification desk.

Handing over a tiny blue token issued by World Vision to the verification team, they receive the much anticipated relief materials.

"Our economic condition is weak so for now all we have is the aid we received, which will help us survive. Our area has a water shortage so the buckets we received will help store water. Once the relief food items are gone, we will have to buy food on credit and then pay back later when my husband sends money," says Sangita.

Carefully placing the relief materials on the far side of the distribution camp Sangita prepares to haul the goods by hand, for an hour, back home. Apsara rushes to her mother’s side. Bundling the relief items both mother and daughter embark on their journey back home.