A Mother’s Hope After Mother Nature Strikes

On September 26, 2024, heavy rainfall caused a landslide that washed away houses and livelihoods near the Roshi River in Nepal. In Panauti alone, 20 lives were lost, 500 homes were destroyed, and 713 houses were damaged. As a response, we helped 40 families build temporary shelters due to their damaged homes. One of the families we helped includes a mother named Samrachana (35).

Community members at a rural site, organizing roofing materials to aid recovery efforts following a landslide. — *Local residents and response team moving the roofing sets for distribution.*

There is a saying, “A mother’s love is a force of nature, capable of overcoming any hardship to nurture hope and shape brighter tomorrows.” This saying came to life during the distribution of temporary shelter materials to the landslide victims in Roshi. Among the many faces, one woman’s anxious demeanor stood out. She arrived well before the scheduled time, her eyes scanning the crowd curiously, yet ridden by uncertainty. As the distribution process began, she shyly asked us, “Is my name on the list? It’s Samrachana.” Though it was a simple question, her voice carried a weight of responsibility and vulnerability. When we confirmed her inclusion, she smiled with relief.

A woman in an outdoor setting poses beside a table in front of a sign. — *Samrachana*

Curious about her story, one of our staff approached her and asked where she came from. She introduced herself politely at first, and as we continued talking, she shared the devastating impact of the recent landslide in her area.

“The heavy rains over two days destroyed many homes, including mine,” she said. Her voice trembled as she told the terrifying experience. “In front of my eyes, the road and houses were swept away. My house somehow managed to stay standing, but it’s severely damaged, with cracks and scratches everywhere. We’ve managed to move into one of the safer rooms, but even that doesn’t feel secure.”

When we asked about her family, she shared that she lived with seven family members: her two children, her in-laws, her brother-in-law, and his wife. Her husband had been working abroad for two years, but heartbreakingly, he had not been in contact since leaving. “I try to call him every day, but he never answers,” she said, her eyes welling up with tears. It was evident how difficult life had been for her as she played a lot of roles at home: a mother and a daughter-in-law. She bore the weight of responsibility without her husband’s support.

A group of people stands in front of a house, holding a sign that displays a message or announcement. — *Families receiving aid pose with our response team.*

Samrachana shared photos of her house after the landslide that vividly captured the destruction. As she spoke, we empathized deeply with her struggles. We reassured her, acknowledging her strength and the incredible role she played in holding her family together. Sharing her story seemed to bring her a sense of relief, even if only momentarily.

Later, as she received the package of temporary shelter materials, her face lit up with a beautiful smile. It was the smile of a mother who, despite immense hardship, stood strong for her children and family. It was a moment of triumph, a testament to her resilience and determination.

Before leaving, she expressed her gratitude to Captivating International. “Thank you for supporting families like mine,” she said. “This help provides a safe living space, which is what we need most in times like these.”