Dhangadi, September 6

SOS Children’s Village Dhangadi has rescued five kids in Ghodaghodi Municipality-1 of Kailali district. The children were left in the lurch after their mother died from snakebite a few weeks ago.

The children’s mother Ranipura Neupane, 32, had died after she was bitten by a snake on the morning of August 22, leaving behind five kids to fend for themselves.

After The Himalayan Times carried a news story about the plight of the children in its August 23 issue, various philanthropists, from home and abroad, had started sending financial assistance for the care of the kids. Recently, SOS rescued the kids who were rehabilitated in Dhangadi.

SOS has pledged to bear all cost of raising the kids, including their education. “After we read about the plight of the children, we decided to rescue and bring them here,” said Director of Dhangadi-based SOS Children Village Padam Hamal.

The five kids rescued are Dharmakala Neupane, 10, Urmila Neupane, 8, Tulasa Neupane, 5, Sabita Neupane, 4, and seven-month-old Nakul Neupane.

A snake had bitten Ranipura while she was cooking food in the kitchen. Ranipura had died of the snake bite for want of timely treatment. Her husband Shankar Neupane holds a job in India.

“As their father is away from home in India, we rescued the children and brought them here,” Senior Councillor of the SOS Village Ramesh Bhandari said.