Just Outside Kathmandu, 70 Orphans Wait for Shelter

One of the saddest stories emerging from the ruins of Kathmandu is that of the Shangrila orphanage, where 70 children have been braving the elements for the least three days. Saturday's quake has robbed them of the only home they know.

The building in Aarubari, in the suburbs of Kathmandu, still stands. But the structure has sustained damages so heavy, that it may collapse any time. The authorities - the Belgian non-profit Shangrila - have pitched a makeshift tent out in the open.

By the day, the children stay in the tent. "It is difficult to sleep here and going to toilet is a problem," says 12-year-old Usha.

But once the weather turned wet, they started going to the nearby Khampa monastery to spend the nights.

Wim De Becker, the NGO's country director, said they were lucky to get help from the monastery. "When it started raining, it was a big problem for the children," he said.

The quake, they said, had taken them completely by surprise.  "I was very scared and started crying, I cried a lot. My heart was beating fast, so fast that it almost hurt my stomach," said 14-year-old Sarah.

The children survived the quake and the staff has stayed back to help out. Food is not a problem as they had a large stock, but living in the open is. The youngest child is a one-year-old.

The NGO is trying to raise money for a new building. "We need money to find a new permanent place as soon as possible," said Mr De Becker. "I want to go to a new, small house," added Sarah.

The wait for a new roof, will however, be longer as hundreds in the country struggle merely to stay alive. But the authorities are not complaining. "We were very lucky that our children survived," said Mr De Becker.

If u want to help these children, log onto this website: shangrilahome.org

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