The aftershocks and landslides that followed the quake forced her six-member family to abandon their village and look out for safe places. Their search brought them and their eight cows, the family's only assets, to the Shir Baskharka of Sano Okhareni jungle. Nowadays she has been entrusted the responsibility of taking care of those cows.
Her routine has changed since the earthquake. She no more has to rush in the morning to attend school. Her education seems to be over since her family camped near the forest. "The earthquake has chased us from our village and we've landed up here in the forest. Studies are no more a concern up here," she said. It is not only her who more goes to school, dozens of the children of such displaced family share similar fate in absence of any educational institutions nearby.
Dozens of villagers of Lidi, Sangchagaun, Nimlung Kipche, and Boldey of Golchey VDC and Sepgaun of Selang VDC have moved to Okharni, Baaskharka, Fusre, Khasre and Kahrigaun villages for safe shelter after the earthquake.
Ratna Lal Tamang of Boldey village of Golchey VDC, who moved into the area recently expressed concerns over the lack of education to his and other children in the area. "Other than the issues that we are facing in lack of proper shelter, we are extremely worried about our children's education and their future. They have not been able to go to school," he said. Prior to the quake, all of his three kids, Dimari, Pashang and Bibilal had been studying in grade six, two and one, respectively, in Satkanya Lower Secondary School.
Worth of stories
Sukumaya Tamang, a 13-year-old girl grazes her cows in the Okhreni forest, Shir Baskharka, Sindhupalchowk district, in this recent photo.
It is not only Ratna Lal, but all the families who have shifted in the area look quite worried about their kids' education. As the kids have no school, the kids these days look busy rearing their cattle, collecting firewood and other domestic chores. According to a teacher of Satkanya Lower Secondary School, who has also shifted from Boldey village to Okharni, education of at least 218 students of his school have been affected by the earthquake. He informed that these children do not attend schools as most of their families have been displaced and the school building is prone to landslides.
Another teacher, Pashupati Tamang also expressed similar concerns. "Our school has not been able to come in operation due to the fear of possible landslides in near future. At least 218 of our kids are here and are forced to enjoy vacation!" He added that since the locals have totally vacated their residence due to fear of landslides, they have not taken initiations for resuming the school.
"It's dangerous to return to village during the rainy season. The villagers might be able to decide on whether or not to return to their village during winter season. And only then, reopening of the schools can be considered," he informed.
Pashupati informed that the the villagers are very eager to send their children back to schools in order to save them from losing study habits. "But since there is no school even at a distance of two-hour walk, they don't have any options other than to see their children to stay at home," he added. He suggested for setting up temporary schools as soon as possible for getting the children back to school and ensuring their future.
