Laldevi and her son in front of their new house
(Click to Enlarge)

In Jun 08, part of her shelter collapsed and was temporarily rebuilt with the help of her neighbours. An investigation was conducted by the AWO after her application for help was submitted to the AWC. The investigation revealed the roof was leaking and that the building was no longer safe to inhabit. During the monsoon season both Laldevi and her son often slept at a neighbour’s house to avoid the rain. The investigating offi cer concluded she needed urgent financial assistance from GWS in order to rebuild her home effectively as there was no way she could afford to do it on her own. A hardship grant for NCR 90,000 to rebuild her shelter was provided in order to construct a safe house to live in, but also a house that would not standout and create an imbalance within the community. The project was completed within budget under the supervision of AWC Kaski staff. The widow herself and her community to a certain extent gave their help through manual labour.
Mrs Laldevi is now happily living with her teenage son without the scary memories of a collapsing wall and a leaking roof. She is extremely grateful to the GWS for providing fi nancial assistance but fi nds it diffi cult to express her feelings as she is both illiterate and very shy.

By: Hon Maj Chandra bahadur Gurung MVO, SAWO Kaski