| Thursday 19 February 2004 Although I have seen considerable poverty since arriving here, with children inevitably bearing the brunt of the conditions, I have tried not to let the sights affect me. As a father, my paternal instinct to help is overwhelming. So far though, I have managed to control these urges.  | We were the focus of much curiosity by the locals |  |
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In Nepal, mostly because of the lack of well paid jobs, many fathers work abroad and send money home monthly to the family. This is sad but unavoidable in society here. However, last night while having dinner at a local house, I met a little four year old boy whose parents are both working abroad. I asked when they had gone away. The answer came: when he was two years old. I then asked when the parents were going to be next back in Nepal. The answer was next year. Seeing him in front of me, looking tired and cuddling his Grandmother before going to bed, was one of the most heartbreaking moments I have ever experienced. It was very difficult to control my natural instinct to pick him up and give him a hug. My feelings of missing my own son, after only two and a half weeks away, suddenly seemed almost irrelevant. Previous entry | Next entry | 
