Homeless not hopeless
K2: Homeless not hopeless
19 January, 2011 - Food, shelter and clothing constitute basic human needs without which an individual would find little hope to survive, but Wangchuk, 39, a homeless, diagnosed with a rare arthritis disease, hopes for the best.
His rugged thin face, which is hardly visited by a smile, speaks volumes of a mans struggle with the lows of life. His lower body is paralysed because of his illness. He basks in the sun all day long, waiting for some stranger or others, whove befriended him, to provide him with some morsel of food.Despite having to drag himself around, he prepares his own bed at night and hardly asks anyone for help. The roof of a house, which remains locked throughout, provides shelter. His belongings are a pair of worn our jackets, two Chinese blankets and a track pant.He has no one to turn to, no place to call home and no one to share what hes been through. Money, he said, is of no use to him and he doesnt wish to have any.As a young lad, Wangchuk wanted to be driver. I loved being in different places, he said. I worked as a handy man and later became a driver.He married a young beautiful woman from Mongar who bore him a daughter. He was different then and was known for his humorous jokes and generosity.His past seems like a long beautiful dream. The present world is reality.After two years of marriage, his wife, while visiting her village, eloped with another man. Wangchuk was in another village when it happened. Heartbroken, he returned to the capital, where another surprise awaited him.My wifes uncle had taken all valuables and from my house, he said.He became a vagabond, sleeping in his vehicle every night. Soon the illness inflicted him. His feet began to swell and his bones began to ache throughout his leg. It continued until it rendered him immobile.He was once admitted to ! the refe rral hospital, but was asked to leave, because there was no one tending to his needs. He couldnt move and did all his defecation and urination on his bed.From the hospital he ended up at the current location. At night he rarely catches a wink of sleep and waits eagerly for daybreak.He doesnt complain of cold though he has little to cover his body. He neither washes his face nor takes bath. Its been nearly five months. He has no hopes or expectations from anyone. All he wants in life is to be able to walk.If he gets well, he talks of going to his village to start his life anew.He doesnt want to remember his past life, but often wonders what has become of his daughter. But I dont wish to see her, he said. What would she think of me if she knew I was her father? By Nidup Gyeltshen
19 January, 2011 - Food, shelter and clothing constitute basic human needs without which an individual would find little hope to survive, but Wangchuk, 39, a homeless, diagnosed with a rare arthritis disease, hopes for the best.His rugged thin face, which is hardly visited by a smile, speaks volumes of a mans struggle with the lows of life. His lower body is paralysed because of his illness. He basks in the sun all day long, waiting for some stranger or others, whove befriended him, to provide him with some morsel of food.Despite having to drag himself around, he prepares his own bed at night and hardly asks anyone for help. The roof of a house, which remains locked throughout, provides shelter. His belongings are a pair of worn our jackets, two Chinese blankets and a track pant.He has no one to turn to, no place to call home and no one to share what hes been through. Money, he said, is of no use to him and he doesnt wish to have any.As a young lad, Wangchuk wanted to be driver. I loved being in different places, he said. I worked as a handy man and later became a driver.He married a young beautiful woman from Mongar who bore him a daughter. He was different then and was known for his humorous jokes and generosity.His past seems like a long beautiful dream. The present world is reality.After two years of marriage, his wife, while visiting her village, eloped with another man. Wangchuk was in another village when it happened. Heartbroken, he returned to the capital, where another surprise awaited him.My wifes uncle had taken all valuables and from my house, he said.He became a vagabond, sleeping in his vehicle every night. Soon the illness inflicted him. His feet began to swell and his bones began to ache throughout his leg. It continued until it rendered him immobile.He was once admitted to ! the refe rral hospital, but was asked to leave, because there was no one tending to his needs. He couldnt move and did all his defecation and urination on his bed.From the hospital he ended up at the current location. At night he rarely catches a wink of sleep and waits eagerly for daybreak.He doesnt complain of cold though he has little to cover his body. He neither washes his face nor takes bath. Its been nearly five months. He has no hopes or expectations from anyone. All he wants in life is to be able to walk.If he gets well, he talks of going to his village to start his life anew.He doesnt want to remember his past life, but often wonders what has become of his daughter. But I dont wish to see her, he said. What would she think of me if she knew I was her father? By Nidup Gyeltshen
Comments