Safe Shelter Through Generosity

For many elderly Gurkha veterans and widows, aging in remote, unforgiving terrains can bring many challenges. Gurkha heroes like 83-year-old Purna Bahadur, who lost his sight, and 95-year-old Selku Lama, who survived the devastating 2015 earthquake, have long endured the harsh realities of crumbling, unsafe homes. In this feature, Dilip Gurung, Area Welfare Officer for AWC Chitwan, shares three deeply personal stories of resilience. Through the vital generosity of donors, these families are finally receiving the safe, earthquake-resilient homes they need—restoring the warmth, safety, and dignity they so richly deserve in their later years.

Purna Bahadur Gurung

Life has not been easy for Gurkha veteran Purna. In October 1957, at just 15, he joined the Army in Paklihawa. It took him seven days to reach Paklihawa, following recruiter Galla Wala as he travelled on foot from village to village recruiting young boys along the way. He said that all those selected were taken to Singapore by the M.S. Sangola and Santhia, which sailed for 14 days and 14 nights. He served nearly three years before being made redundant.

Over the following decades, he experienced both love and loss. He had two wives and four children, tragically losing his younger son and first wife. In recent years, he and his second wife have been living in a remote part of Gorkha, on the far side of the Trishuli River. For many years, their only connection to the outside world was a suspension bridge, which was replaced by a permanent structure only recently. Now, with just a small parcel of land, his wife works tirelessly to grow seasonal crops. The welfare pension from GWT remains their family’s mainstay, offering vital hope and security.

For years before GWT’s construction of a new home, he and his family endured harsh living conditions in their ancestral home. The roof leaked, cold winds swept through the house in winter, and monsoon rains soaked everything. Cooking was done beneath a makeshift shelter. The distant toilet meant a long, painful walk – a hardship for Purna Bahadur, who, at 83, is now blind and depends on his wife’s help.

Overwhelmed with gratitude, his eyes filled with tears, as he described how their lives have been transformed: “No one has ever shown such kindness to a blind man like me.”

Lalmati Gurung

Lalmati Gurung is the widow of the late Rifleman Man Bahadur Gurung, formerly of the 6th Gurkha Rifles. He was discharged from the service after just 4 years, in May 1947. Originally from Kapur Village, Lamjung, they migrated to Nawalpur many years ago and, in 2006, sold their small plot of land, in order to spend their remaining years peacefully at the Dechen Thorwaling Bouddha Guma, a Buddhist temple and community. Sadly, Man Bahadur passed away in April 2014, and his pension was transferred to his widow.

Lalmati’s living conditions in the ashram were poor; she lived in a shared space and had her own room, but when it rained, her roof leaked and she had to move to a communal hall for shelter. Everyone in the ashram used the same toilet. But despite the hardship, she felt content because she had come here with her late husband to spend the rest of her life, and the place held many memories of him. Lalmati’s life was transformed when GWT constructed a new one-bedroom home for her, complete with a toilet and kitchen, and she is deeply grateful for the support.

Selku Lama Tamang

At 95 years old, Selku Lama Tamang is a living testament to resilience and the enduring power of family. The widow of the late Rifleman Sel Lama Tamang, who served with honour in the 2nd Gurkha Rifles from October 1944 to March 1946. Selku Lama has witnessed nearly a century of change and challenge. After her husband’s passing in August 2012, Selku Lama was surrounded by the love of a large family. Though she currently lives with her son, her extended family remains close, offering daily support and companionship. Their devotion ensures that Selku Lama’s golden years are filled with happiness, comfort, and a strong sense of belonging.

However, Selku Lama’s living conditions were dire. Her old house, battered by the devastating 2015 earthquake, had leaky roofs, cracked walls, and weakened posts that threatened collapse. Financial hardship made repairs impossible for her family of six, who relied on the modest harvest from their small plot of land and the daily wages earned by her son and daughter-in-law. Hope arrived in the form of a two-bedroom earthquake-resilient home, built by GWT with the generous support of donors. Though reluctant to leave the family home that held a lifetime of memories, Selku Lama was delighted to move into her new house.  Today, surrounded by the care of her family in a safe and sturdy home, Selku Lama continues to inspire all who meet her.

We deeply appreciate the unwavering generosity of our donors, whose kindness has made it possible to provide safe shelter for so many individuals. Your selfless contributions have uplifted the lives of those who gave so much in the past.