I boarded the plane to Kathmandu, Nepal not knowing what to expect. Reading about the two earthquakes back in Singapore painted a very bleak picture of Nepal’s situation, but speaking with people that were there after the earthquake suggested that its not as bad as we perceive it to be. The areas that were affected the most were reduced to rubble, but most other areas were barely affected if not at all. Metropolitan Kathmandu is pretty much unaffected physically, save some old mud and stone houses. Tourism plummeted and popular tourist streets that are usually filled with people are empty, save the locals and a few foreigners, most of whom came or remained in Nepal either to offer aid or for journalism purposes.
While the plane was descending towards Kathmandu airport, I looked out the window, expecting to see some destroyed buildings, or any sign of physical damage caused by the earthquake. I was slightly surprised to see no signs of destruction from the airplane, and instantly felt more at ease. I did, however, see many tents, pitched in open fields beside residential buildings.
While the plane was descending towards Kathmandu airport, I looked out the window, expecting to see some destroyed buildings, or any sign of physical damage caused by the earthquake. I was slightly surprised to see no signs of destruction from the airplane, and instantly felt more at ease. I did, however, see many tents, pitched in open fields beside residential buildings.
Upon alighting the plane, I saw a number of military aircrafts and foreign soldiers in jeeps. There were banners of different disaster relief organisations hung on the outer walls of the small airport. Upon entering the airport, I saw probably the first sign of damage cause by the earthquake: A few walls had deep cracks in them, and the tiles on some parts of the floor were loose. Without much trouble, I went through immigration, grabbed my luggage bag, and met Nardev Panday, the intern coordinator of Internship Nepal, who I’ll be staying with for a month.
In the ride to Nardev’s house, I saw a couple of buildings that were destroyed by the earthquake, but these buildings were old and made of mud and stone, according to Nardev. Metropolitan Kathmandu was bustling. People were going about their lives as per normal, he added. He also informed me that there are a few affected areas on the outskirts of Kathmandu. The other interns were at one of the areas handing out supplies and he offered to bring me there right after leaving my bags at home.
We headed first to Thalli where the other interns were. Thalli is not very much affected by the earthquake, but some earthquake survivors from a neighbouring village were housed in an open field in tents. When I arrived, the other interns were taking pictures and playing with the children. I was pleasantly surprised to see smiles on their faces, the children laughing and playing, the mothers fondly watching them from the tents. What surprised me the most was that they offered us interns some of their food. They had enough to share, and simply for that reason, they did. Afterwards, we spoke with the women who started the initiative to help those survivors. They were all women, mothers, more specifically.
We headed first to Thalli where the other interns were. Thalli is not very much affected by the earthquake, but some earthquake survivors from a neighbouring village were housed in an open field in tents. When I arrived, the other interns were taking pictures and playing with the children. I was pleasantly surprised to see smiles on their faces, the children laughing and playing, the mothers fondly watching them from the tents. What surprised me the most was that they offered us interns some of their food. They had enough to share, and simply for that reason, they did. Afterwards, we spoke with the women who started the initiative to help those survivors. They were all women, mothers, more specifically.
We visited some areas nearby that were badly affected by the earthquake. Buildings reduced to rubble. What I found that struck me the most was the simple household or personal items that lay among the debris: a bicycle, an old picture of a local, plush toys and Pokemon cards, among other things. As we looked around, one thing became clear to me: Nothing material lasts. Literally, in seconds, everything can disappear.
We returned to the house afterwards and I got more acquainted with the other interns and the family we were staying with. The interns brought me to Thamel, the prime tourist destination in Kathmandu. I’ve read about it prior to leaving Singapore, but they told me that everything is different after the earthquake. I saw for myself the countless shops and restaurants, but they were mostly closed. I saw mainly locals walking around, and some foreigners scattered around the streets and restaurants. We went to Phat Khat to have a drink and met some travellers. It became apparent to me that most if not all the foreigners that remained were here to offer aid or to write an article. I saw, and am continuing to see, limitless opportunities to help the people here. A good number of people are not even tied to any organisations. They simple raised funds in their native country to buy supplies to distribute in the badly affected villages.
I spoke to Ram, the senior photojournalist that is advising us throughout our internships, and narrowed down on some possible topics I would like to explore. I told him I am interested in religion, and he told me about the peace and harmony of Muslims and Hindus of Gorkha, one of the most affected areas. Hopefully, I’ll be able to visit the village soon.
I spoke to Ram, the senior photojournalist that is advising us throughout our internships, and narrowed down on some possible topics I would like to explore. I told him I am interested in religion, and he told me about the peace and harmony of Muslims and Hindus of Gorkha, one of the most affected areas. Hopefully, I’ll be able to visit the village soon.