It has been almost a month and half since the earthquake in Nepal. The tiny country has faced a massive loss of lives and infrastructure, but the Himalayan people are nothing if not resilient, even in the face of repeated aftershocks that are constant reminders of the earth's potential for fury. Yes, the people have experienced trauma and loss but they are trying to get back on their feet, however unsteady the ground beneath them.

 

Just a week after the earthquake, I spent almost several days in Barpak village in Gorkha district, which was the epicenter. The villages of Mandre, Barpak, Laprak, Singhla and many others were almost impossible to access and not much help had reached them yet. Some of these villages are still inaccessible. Several sad stories about these villages have been floating around in the media -- images of people crying and distraught - but what I saw was a sense of resolution rather than dissolution.

 

Of course, these people have lost most of their material possessions, but they have been providing for themselves and trying to rebuild their lives. Many have started building shelters to prepare themselves for the monsoon season within a week of the massive tremor. Since there was an absence of electricity, they were working from dawn until dusk, come tremor or rain shower.

 

Children, women, the elderly -- everyone was and is still working in some way to sustain themselves and their families. They talk about their pain, but never do they beg for help.

 

Here are some images that portray the situation of Barpak village and the unsurpassable strength of its people.