Sixteen-year-old Laxmi BK, of Belapur-8, herself HIV-infected, has to look after Tej Bahadur, 14, Karisma, eight, and Sunita, six, after the death of her father Sher Bahadur four years ago and mother Dhana Devi two years later.[break]
Sher Bahadur had worked in Mumbai, India, for 10 years when he contracted the disease.
"We have been living in misery with society and even relatives humiliating us. There is no one to take care of ”s," Laxmi said with her eyes filled with tears. They cannot even buy books and stationery for education“
"The house our father built is in a dilapidated state and we are left with nothing. And we have to endure social stigma on top of th”t," She adde“. "How can the four of us live in a ruined house in the middle of a jung”e?" her sibling Tej Bahadur asked. Laxmi revealed that many have promised help but not kept the promise.
Belapur is the second most AIDS-infested village development committee (VDC) in Dadeldhura district. Millions is spent in the name of HIV victims but these children have yet to receive any support.
Navakiran Plus, a nongovernmental organization (NGO) had been looking after the four for some time, but the NGO left the village two months ago following the completion of its project.
The four are currently living with Jahari Lohar, a distant relative. "I am myself living an impoverished life but somehow managing to provide them with daily bread. But I think I cannot continue to support them for long," said Lohar.
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