Kali the Untouchable

It had been pouring for six hours when, after bouncing and sliding along a rocky, muddy track in our four wheel drive, we came to the swollen stream. Normally the crossing isn't a problem in this area, but today both sides of the river bank were crowded with people sheltering under umbrellas watching the water. Our driver got out and waded into the river, meeting a truck driver from the other side half way to discuss the challenge. It turns out it was really no challenge at all, and soon we were bouncing along the track on our way again.

We were on our way to a community about an hour from Dhangadhi where there is a community that is by geography remote and by caste isolated. The majority of people living in this area are Dalit by caste, and although the official Nepali line is that there is no caste discrimination, for the people of Kailali prejudice, discrimination and segregation are very real.

The categories by which people are defined and treated are numerous, including ethnicity, religion, gender and caste. There are the indigenous Nepalese, (our driver was from this category) who are at the bottom of the value chain ethnically. Then there are the Dalits, the lowest of castes and often referred to as the untouchables.

Kali is Dalit and a girl. Through no fault of her own, born into a caste that means that (traditionally) she will always be discriminated against – because of both her caste and her gender. Destined for service or for a continuing struggle for survival she will do it tough, like her Mum. But there is some hope – Kali is a sponsored child.

There is a family in Western Australia who has made a commitment to support her – she proudly showed me a photo of them and a letter from them. As a result, Kali is the first in her family to be able to go to school, and she loves it. With her Mum (and some others in tow) she showed me her classroom and told me about her teacher.

Because of the sponsorship funds that come to Kali and about 2,030 other sponsor children in this region, there are 697 families, (including Kali’s) that now have a water sealed latrine. There are 60 Child Clubs that operate, raising awareness among children and parents about child rights. There are a decreasing number of children reported to be undernourished. There are over 4,000 women and mums who are shareholders in local village level cooperatives which has resulted in increases in household income, increased school attendance, and decreased childhood diseases.

As Kali cautiously sits next to me (but not too close) on the hard wooden school bench, her eyes look down at the floor and she describes for me her dream to be a teacher and a mum. I remember the example of my best friend and I reach out my hand and softly place it on the back of her head, I touch the untouchable; Kali shyly looks up at me, and looking into her big eyes I silently pray that this one will make it.