Kathmandu, April 23

They lost everything, save resilience and hope. Krishna Nepali, 27, and Pramila Nepali lost their home and belongings to the devastating earthquake that struck Nepal on April 25 last year. But, one year later, they have built a temporary shelter using corrugated zinc sheets, plywood and bamboo at a cost of 45,000 rupees .

At a time when most Nepali citizens are questioning the government’s attitude towards post-quake reconstruction works even though millions of rupees have already been spent, Krishna Nepali,

a permanent resident of Gyang Bhetphu VDC in Dolakha, has constructed a shelter on his own in Chobhar, on the western outskirts of Kathmandu.

“I constructed this temporary shelter at a cost of around Rs 45,000 in May last year,” says Nepali as he points at his house.

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“Everything has changed since the earthquake hit Nepal last year. Everything feels so different here,” says the man, adding, “We do fear earthquake as much as we used to, but we have started panicking less these days.”

Nepali works as a labourer at a fun park that is being constructed in Chobhar. He earns Rs 500 a day with which supports his family of three, including his eight-year-old son Roshan.

“It is really difficult to manage, but I am working hard,” replies Nepali.

It has been just five days since Pramila started sifting sand at the same park where her husband works.

“Due to some health issues that developed after the quake, I cannot work for long hours as I used to in the past,” she adds, “But, I am trying my best to cope with this situation. I start feeling dizzy, physically weak and my head aches if I work for long hours.”

“I can see how hard my husband works, but the pay he gets is insufficient. We have to look after our son, support his education and daily requirements,” explains Pramila.

Their son Roshan is in Grade II at a local private school. Asked if he still fears the earthquake, he replies, “Yes. Very much,” but hesitates to talk on the subject as he waits for the school bus.

Roshan still fears the earthquake and cannot sit alone inside the house even for a few seconds, informs Pramila, looking at her son. He loves to watch cartoons on televisions and play with friends during free time.

A few days ago, when there was a horrible dust storm and thunder, Roshan thought it was another earthquake as the wind shook the zinc roof over his head. He also heard the pitter-patter sound of rain. “We may die. What will happen to our dad if we die?” he had asked his mother.

The temporary shelter has been partitioned into two sections, with the first functioning as bedroom and the next as kitchen.

Some cyclists affiliated to the National Mountain Bike Team, who had rescued the Nepali family from the rubble after the quake, have already paid rent for the land on which they have built the new house.

The Team has paid a total of Rs 5,000 to the landlord and this will enable Nepali’s family to live there till mid-June.

“We do not know what will happen after that. We might have to pay it on our own. It might be difficult,” says Pramila with tears in her eyes.

“We buy food items from a nearby shop and depend on a water tap near our house. My brother-in-law sends flour for us from our village in Dolakha,” she says, adding, “We do not have much land there and our house has developed cracks. But, my mother-in-law and brother-in-law live there.”

The couple and their single child used to live in a two-storey mud house leased from Mohan KC for Rs 5,000 a month before the devastating earthquake destroyed it.

The only relief the Nepali family has received so far is 40 kg rice, five packets of oil, two kg sugar, some spices and three blankets, that too from the cyclists and nothing from the government.

Venting her frustration at the government, Pramila says, “We do not expect anything from the government. The government did not even provide us a tarpaulin sheet.”

“Road expansion in Kirtipur area is in full swing. We have heard that they will expand the road in this area also within a few months. If that happens, this temporary shelter will be demolished by the authorities and we will have no place to live in,” Krishna laments.

“Why is the government doing this to us?” questions his wife. “Why is there no help?”