Children battling cerebral palsy face shelter dilemma

Founder of Conflict Victim and Disable Society Nepal Yuba Raj Thapa calls for support to build a safe haven for these children

KATHMANDU, Dec 13: In Shankarapur, Kathmandu, the Conflict Victim and Disable Society Nepal (CVDS-Nepal) has been a beacon of hope for children battling cerebral palsy, providing essential care and support for nearly two decades. Now, their existence is on the brink as their leased land faces a grim future.

Founded in 2005 with just three children, the organization has expanded its arms to shelter 42 children, despite the loss of 20 over the years. Cerebral palsy, a neurological condition affecting muscle movement and coordination, has touched the lives of these children, impacting their ability to move, communicate, and perform even simple tasks. These children depend on specialized care and life-sustaining medication. The struggle is unimaginable.

However, the very ground that nurtures these lives is under existential threat. The leased land, their only haven since 2005, is poised to be sold due to the demise of the lessor. "We are at the edge of losing the ground beneath our feet," lamented CVDS-Nepal President Yuba Raj Thapa, the driving force behind this noble initiative, who himself faces physical disabilities.

Funding, primarily sourced through the National Child Rights Council and generous donations of individuals, barely covers the annual medication expenses. Their annual requirement for medicines alone amounts to Rs 600,000, and with the imminent loss of their shelter, the situation is dire. The organization, a non-profit entity, has appealed for help to secure a mere two ropanis of government land to construct a specialized, disability-friendly home. Yet, bureaucratic hurdles threaten this lifeline.

The Shankarapur Municipality's proposal to relocate them to a distant, resource-scarce Nangle Bhare area spells doom for these children. "My children will die of hunger there," feared Thapa, highlighting the perilous consequences of such a move.

Amidst the bureaucratic challenges, the CVDS-Nepal has sheltered children with and without the validation of a government's letter, purely driven by compassion and a sense of humanity. “With time running out and the children left with an uncertain future without a stable home, the Conflict Victim and Disable Society needs urgent support. Our plea for land to build a safe haven for these children is a call to action for all compassionate individuals, philanthropists, and organizations,” said Thapa.