Just another extraordinary day.
I spent almost an hour this afternoon, out in the sun, at the school play ground; talking to Divya and Sarswoti about mundane everyday events in life. It started with an inquiry about how they were doing their exams and I asked if they were attempting all the questions or not. As I had feared, Divya hasn't been doing her exams well. After all, how can you expect someone who lives in a tiny shed in one of the busiest temples in Kathmandu with her alcoholic father and three young siblings to study well, without a candle? That's reality for Divya. Divya fears that she might have to leave school and she is afraid she will be forced to stay at home, taking care of her 1 year old sister while her mother goes to work and father goes to yet another alcohol binge. I am afraid for her too. She has to sleep in that shed in Pashupati ghat area fearing for her life as she can't even latch the door properly. Sarswoti's story is a little different. Not any be...