We caught up with these five children on the way back down to the jeep after leaving Simjung village. They attend the school built by WildTiger and the walk home takes about an hour for them. The trek to the school takes a lot longer as is uphill and conditions can be slippery and hazardous. They hold umbrellas to fend off monsoon rains. In mountain areas I have come across children who walk three hours to school... and three hours home again.
Nepal still does not have a Constitution. Not surprisingly the deadline has again been missed as agreement and compromise go lacking in a nation where there is little unity at every level of society. There is a strong feeling that even if the Draft is written it will be pseudo, giving too much room for readdress at a time when a clear vision is needed.
There will always be hardship here, the geography of the place sees to that. However, it could be easier than it is if differences were put aside to at least future proof for children like the ones you see in this image.
For someone like me trying to act on a vision for a big cat rescue and rewilding centre, also a future proofing action, it's becoming less clear and increasingly harder.
