When the ground beneath his feet began shaking last April, Janak BK, 25, was in Dhulikhel at a youth conference. As soon as he learned about the disaster and as the news flurried in, he hurried to his home. Relieved that everyone in his family was all right, Janak headed northwards to the village of Sitalpati.

Dust whirling carelessly in the air; houses reduced to rubble; and a stark clamour of the people they inhabited. This is how BK recalls the scene in the immediate aftermath of the quake. Startled, BK ran homewards. And with him he took three tarpaulins because that was all he felt would come to use in that frenzy of the moment. His own home, too, had developed cracks all over. 

After some one hour, he phoned some of his friends from the 13-member district youth network that has its wings in 10 VDCs (BK was the then chairperson of the network).

With the youth network, which was established back in 2014, Janak has been involved in rescue efforts, in the immediate aftermath, and then in the reconstruction and rehabilitation props. 

“Even though my own house has developed cracks all over, we are still living there as we have no resources now to build a new house. Most of my relatives and neighbours’ houses were completely damaged. Their suffering is also my suffering,” says BK. 

“Their plights really touched me. When they were unable to make a happy living, it also affected me mentally and emotionally. I am trying to help them (in rebuilding houses, getting food/health services they need) as much as I can.”

The youth network,supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), had been involved in the relief operation in all of the 25 most-affected VDCs in Sindhuli, which is one among the 14 hardest-hit districts. 

One year on, when asked how Sindhuli is coping with the repercussions of the disaster, BK says, “Things have changed many. More or less displaced have roof over their heads even though many of them are still living in temporary shelters. Their homes have not been rebuilt yet. But I hope they will soon have houses too.” His subordinates Sanil Koirala (22) of Baseshwor VDC, and Shiva Kala Gurung (25) of Tinkanya reflect the same way. 

The network and its wings—its membership structure constitutes two from each wards in each VDC—is currently working in the most-affected areas.

In the last two months the youths from the youth network have contributed in promoting resilience in people, and have ensured life-saving support in Sindhuli reaches the most vulnerable groups including women and girls.