Life of hardship: Sita Thapa’s struggle amidst poverty & disability

KATHMANDU: The age of Tanahun’s Badahareki Sita Thapa is getting old.

The burden of responsibility, hunger, worry, and pain has been weighing heavily on her for over five decades.

Even after getting married at a young age, the sorrows that have plagued her haven’t left her side.

Situated beyond the village, surrounded by dense jungle, lies her small hut. There’s no sign of neighbors, no one to lend a helping hand only a 25-year-old disabled daughter and a son and mountains of misery and lack. Therefore, even when Sita falls ill, finding someone to fetch water is a challenge.

“The money received for earthquake relief and the amount earned by driving a cart has built a small hut with two rooms. Out of eight children, all born with disabilities, I could only afford to raise six daughters,” she says, “All the daughters were born disabled, and they struggle to even eat. I used to cook maize and feed them, but rice was a luxury we rarely had.”

For years, Sita has been alone, burdened by sorrow and pain. Even if someone were to visit her in her secluded home, she feels as though it’s a visit from God. However, no matter how much time passes, no one comes to listen to her woes, inquire about her well-being, or offer solace.

After giving birth to her children, Sita’s days of suffering began. With all her children born with disabilities, her life became a continuous cycle of worry, pain, and scarcity. In her hut, alongside her youngest daughter, she also cares for a goat and a dog. Inside the hut, the scene depicts the hardship endured by Sita and her family.

“When working in the scorching sun, I often faint due to illness, and there’s no one around to fetch water. If someone falls ill in the village and cannot afford treatment, they perish,” she says, “We have goats and dogs at home, but no one comes to buy them. Without food, I often fall sick. Before me, my eldest daughter passed away.”

Initially, in her small hut, she lived with her husband, four sons, and four daughters. However, her family has dwindled, and now only her mother, daughter, and son remain. All eight of Sita’s children were born with disabilities.

Out of them, only one daughter and one son are alive.

Both suffer from physical and mental disabilities. The daughter can’t even crawl, and despite wherever the son goes, she’s unaware. Even though the son has impaired vision, he manages to make ends meet somehow.

Due to their disabilities, Sita’s husband divorced her. Her son now sustains his life through disability benefits received from the government.

Her husband, a prisoner, is absent from Sita’s life of misery. He’s been in jail for three years now.

During these three years, there have been countless moments filled with sorrow, pain, and worry for Sita. Her life has been turned upside down.

She says, “Without my husband at home, even distant relatives refrain from visiting. There’s no one to even fetch water. Without money, we can’t even afford salt, let alone asking for money to buy condoms. ”

Currently, poverty has confined her to a straw hut.

Despite this, she manages to raise some goats and chickens. She spends her days caring for her disabled daughter and the animals.

The disability allowance from the government covers household expenses.

“We have a small plot where I can’t work, others work for me. The money received from the disabled allowance is used for household expenses,” she explains, “I’ve saved some money from the allowance for planting crops in Asar and Shrawan. To go to work, I leave my daughter inside the house.”

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-Bishnumaya Shrestha