Children of Karunamaya II

Sharmila Chhetri (middle) was born with a mild form of cerebral palsy, which is a non-progressive, non-contagious condition that causes physical disability in human development. Her left limbs are not controlled by her brain, so she needs assistance with her basic activities like standing, walking, etc. She cannot speak in words, but her vocal outbursts and her facial expressions speak volumes of her active mind and childish playfulness.

Sharmila’s mother works as a construction worker at a house being built inside the Janabahaa courtyard. Her sister Deepa (right) looks after her all day. Their father is serving time in a Kathmandu jail. The family moved to Kathmandu from their home in Kailali, where they earned a living farming their relative’s land, so that they can deliver a good meal to the imprisoned man once a day.

There is no known cure for cerebral palsy – neither with modern science nor with Karunamaya.

Names have been changed for obvious reasons. Photo by Alok Tuladhar.