THE CHILDREN | fohcch

The children

DAWA SANGMO

Dawa’s father left her mother with three children. She comes from a mountain village near Lo Manthang. Their small farmland was swept away and her mother went to work in
the fields while her grandmother looked after the family.

Dawa was suffering from malnutrition and
had nothing but the clothes she wore. She said she was 6 years old but was so tiny that 3 year old clothes fitted her. Her body was covered in flea bites. She was admitted to HCCH in 2006.

Now she is a bright, happy little girl who welcomes and chats to everyone. She is confident and outgoing and enjoys dancing
and playing games. She is always singing.

SONAM TSERING

Sonam’s parents were separated and his mother went abroad to work. He has no idea where she went or who his father is. Sonam lived with his grandfather who is alcoholic. This meant that Sonam often went without food for days. He was suffering from malnutrition and had no hope of any education.

He was admitted to HCCH in 2006 and for many weeks just sat, he did not play with the others, often scratched to cause sores and was very withdrawn.

He is still a quiet boy but is very much a part of the family. He enjoys school, likes to draw and takes part in the dancing.

There are currently 53 children and young people the youngest being 4. Here are two typical case studies