Summary: Latika Dharma was rescued from a cave in a remote area of Nepal with her mother after her father left them in Nepal from India when she was one and half years old. The family of Lalitka’s mother also did not support them as Latika’s mother was mentally ill. Both of them were in vulnerable condition in the cave. Her mother died when she was seven due to HIV infection and mental illness. Fortunately Latika is negative and is very bright studies.
A mother and her child - recently rescued from a jungle cave in Nepal - need some love and care!
With the help of the District Police Officials, the Women and Children Service of Doti and the World Vision International branch in Doti, SETU Nepal rescued a mother and her three-year-old daughter Latika from a cave in the jungle of Western Nepal, where they had been living for six months. Resident of Doti Girichauka 4, Kalawati was a victim of family discrimination that led her to a condition of serious mental illness.
The mother had been left alone by her husband and had to undergo horrible discrimination from the husband’s family, which resulted in severe mental illness. As a consequence, they have been abandoned in a jungle; a mother and her young child and to know that they lived under horrible conditions for full six months is beyond shocking. When they were finally rescued, both were malnourished . The women was under treatment for her mental condition and was stationed at a transit home called 'Koshish'. The cost of her stay and food at the 'Koshish' was NRs 300 per day (excluding the treatment cost). At the same time, her daughter was also found to be suffering from vaginal infection and nutritional problem (possible case of sexual abuse while living in the jungle). Both the mother and her child were in need of an urgent treatment.
Immediately SETU Nepal provided shelter and health treatment for Latika and her mother and with the support of two other organisations we were able to get care for the mother’s mental state. It has been found that Latika is not infected by HIV and a generous well-wisher Mr. Sanjya Rimal supported the education of the young girl in a well-known private school for first one year. He visits and supports her and has been a fatherly figure to her, which we are very grateful for. Meanwhile, Lalitka’s mother then left the transit home, but at that time SETU Nepal really tried to keep a strong bond between the mother and the child, as they believe that the best place to receive knowledge is family. Latika’s mother got support from different organizations which provided her shelter and care.Unfortunately, Latika’s mother died in 2017 when Latika was only seven years old.
CURRENT STATUS: Latika is currently in grade 8 at a government school of Lalitpur district and wants to grow up to be a teacher. She excels in academics, is very good in other extra-curricular activities and has already received several certificates. She is really curious, intelligent and beyond motivated to be good in school. Also in other parts of her life, as for example during activities or games she always tries to be the best. We hope that she will stay as motivated and we are sure that her future will be bright.
Setu Nepal - as an immediate guardian - would like to appeal everyone for their kind support. Any form of support would be helpful.
We the SETU Nepal Family eagerly welcome the commitment provided by our well wisher Ms. Jyoti Panta, for her total education support.
We the family of Setu Nepal would be highly grateful to all our well wishers who will try to make a positive impact on the child's life as we are still appealing for the support of her nurturing .