Lost childhood (Katmandu street children, April 2008)

Here is the report on Durbar Square, a very touristic place in Nepal. Those 7 to 16 year old children are orphans, abandoned or escaped of their family -because mistreated-. They are drug addicted to glue, to forget their problems.

An part of temple in Katmandu is there territory. The streets are so dirty; they get infections and parasites of all kind, with the poor level of hygiene.

Children are surviving by begging money and food, they also select in rubbish to sell plastic and eat what they find.

If you meet them, don’t give money (they’ll buy glue with it), but share water, a little food. The best you can do is spending time and encourage them to in special center –already they know- like « pomme cannelle » (APC, French association), that can make them become children again.

In exchange of their presence (a few hours), the staff provide a real meal, health care, beginning of education and games. When they are ready, they can join a real living center, where ambiance is good.

Unfortunatly, there’s a few success of leaving streets, children are used to live in the pack and don’t bear any contrary. They think they have a good live (glue helps), free to do what they want at any age. It’s a shocking situation to observe, whit no possibility to get them out, just encourage.

Making me accepted in the group was a long work; I let you discover the result of this immersion in this pack. Here is the live of Shakuti, Raju, Bhanu, Umesh, Chandra, Krishna, Kumar, Bijay, Rajesh, Parkash, Ram, Shaila, Budihi and the others.