Kathmandu:

Bhimsen Shrestha, 15, often recalls his impoverished past life, of father and mother who had forgotten to love their child anymore. It was only when a distant relative of his brought him to Kathmandu from Gorkha and admitted him to the Children Protection Centre and Service (CPCS) that his life saw a change.

He got to eat a bellyful food everyday and had clothes that covered his body. He even goes to school.

And the best treat so far has been being able to see Nepathya perform live at the CPCS premises on January 4.

As part of the ‘Nepathya for All’ series of concerts, the second concert was performed by the nation’s foremost band for street children. Around 500 street children had gathered to watch and enjoy the concert.

Another street child Shiva Raj Upreti, who had been roaming the streets for more than two years was bullied by older boys at CPCS and he had returned to the streets. But he got to see Nepathya perform live today.’

“I have heard them over the radio and read about them in the newspapers too,” Upreti says adding, “I am really glad to watch them live here today.”

It was indeed a different experience to see these children mesmerised by Nepathya magic and took all gathered to a different high just seeing the look of pleasure and awe on their faces. And Nepathya did not disappoint their street fans as they belted out one popular number after another. The concert series aims to give those persons a chance to enjoy music and be entertained who otherwise would not be attending such concerts due to various reasons be it social, physical, mental.

Child Workers in Nepal Concerned Centre along with CPCS also organise a winter camp for such children. The camp provides street children with food, shelter as well as life skill just for two months.

“We sort out their problems and offer them the solution,” said Madhav Pradhan, programme coordinator CWIN. He claimed that about 80 per cent of street children who join their winter camp return home or get admitted to some orphan homes, but about 20 per cent children have to go back street life. However, the camp and concert, though too small a help, are the only things that bring a little joy into these children’s lives and ward off winter chill even if it is for a short time.