Eleven-year-old Ramesh Darji of Bhimgithe from Baglung district suffers from a rare fungal disease. His condition has been getting worse over the years.

Ramesh’s face and body have been ravaged by fungal infection. His parents said they have not found any cure for their son’s bizarre condition.

“He cannot go to school due to his condition,” said Nar Kumari Darji, the boy’s mother.

She said Ramesh was taken for treatment to Baglung District Hospital twice and a hospital in Butwal once, but the doctors could not treat him.  

Ramesh, the second of four children of Nar Kumari and Nanda Kumar, contracted the disease right after his birth. He usually spends his time indoors because the children in the neighbourhood are usually frightened by his deformed face.

“We have been told that his treatment is possible in Chitwan. But we don’t have enough money to take him there,” Nar Kumari said.

 The Darji couple are menial workers and they barely make enough money to feed their children. Radhika BK, an employee at Bhimgithe Village Development Committee office and Gandaki Thapa, a teacher at a local school, are preparing to open a bank account in Ramesh’s name to raise donation for his treatment.

“Some Nepalis working in Japan have also wished to help the family after Ramesh’s photos surfaced in Facebook,” said Thapa.

Amrend Prasad Shah, a civil engineer who works for Huawei Tech, had shared Ramesh’s photos in Facebook after he saw him during field visit on January 16.

In his Facebook post, Shah, a resident of Sarlahi, has appealed his friends to help Ramesh in his treatment, saying his parents cannot afford it.  

Ramesh’s mother, Nar Kumari, can be contacted at:   9805207873.