This part of our journey was the quest for Faiza. Faiza was a little two year old girl who had lost her parents in the quake the previous year.
Together with Ashish we had found her living with her grandfather in a simple lean-to near her families graves. The orginal blog is here. Remembering the name of the village - Hangrai - we set out to see if she was still there… even alive.
We reached late afternoon with the sun just about to go down behind the foothills. Walking up to where she used to live - we couldn’t contact her beforehand as there was just no way - a boy very much took over - and led us the way. Very self assured and confident he could easily end up being one of the village elders.
Of course before we could do anything we had to meet the village elder. Very much in charge because of the stick I think. It seems to be a common theme.
We were asked to wait - apparantly Faiza was still around though her Grandfather was in town. He went most days just to get out of the valley - to forget. In the mean time we were treated to the power of the stick.
This stick is obviously the source of great power and mirth as it did have the desired affect - eventually. Despite being still in hardship - it is good to see that the Kashmiri’s haven’t lost their sense of humour.
Faiza eventually emerged and looked well. The other girls in the village all played with her and made sure that she was OK - part of the South Asian family ethos. She seemed to be very happy and healthy. Also looking after her now was her great Aunt who had broken her leg in the quake but had now returned to the village.
Faiza still hasn’t been told what happend to her family. Whenever she asks, the answer is that they have gone away for work - which is sad. When her Grandfather returned is was fantastic to see that they are still very close. They depend so much on each other for strength. Still the real concern is for her future. What will happen when her Grandfather dies? In the mean time she is happy and healthy.
