Shaken but not broken

28 Dec 2016

Pramila (name changed) was enjoying weekend with her son and daughter, when everything started shaking and falling down. People started running outside their houses and screams echoed everywhere. She grabbed both her children and ran to an open area for safety. Her family survived the disaster. She took temporary shelter at Tudikhel, an open ground in the heart of Kathmandu city. But, destiny had more to add to her pain. On May 12, 2015, with another big aftershock, she lost her eight-year-old son. This incident totally traumatized and distressed her.

As a ray of hope, she met the outreach worker of WOREC, who suggested her to visit female-friendly space established by the organization. The compassionate behavior and support of the team members enabled her to share her pain and frustration. She underwent numerous sessions of psycho-social counseling. Slowly, she started exploring her life beyond the plight. Now she says,"She is shaken, but not broken."

Building lives, building communities Rachana's house was completely destroyed by earthquake. She needed support to build her life and support her family. She came to a female-friendly safe space established by WOREC to support women like her. Rachana started to come and share her pain, needs and desires. She started to feel healed and supported. She became one of the participants of curd making training under livelihood support program of WOREC. After learning how to make curd, she opened a stall during GodavariMela, a popular one-month-long fair that happens every 12 years. Her curd and lassi (a drink made from curd) became quite popular and Rachana's work was well-appreciated. Now, after receiving seed money from WOREC, Rachana aims to start curd business and build her life and support her family.