Last month I wrote a blog about Manju, the caretaker of the elderly widows home in Nepal. Did you read it? If you did, wonderful! I’m sure you were blessed by Manju’s testimony and God’s call upon her life. For those of you who didn’t read it, well, you missed out—but you can catch up with the rest of us by clicking here to read her story. Now you are ready to read the story of why this home is so important.
Regardless of your age, if you are a Nepalese woman and your husband dies, you are blamed for his death and shunned by your family and the Hindu community. You immediately suffer tremendous physical and emotional abuse from his family, your parents, and your children. The family sees this as a curse upon them, so without hesitation they will throw you out on the street and out of the village without any of your belongings: no clothes, no money, and no food. No one will take you in or help you in any way. Remarriage is absolutely forbidden; it is a sin. You now have no choice but to become a beggar. Living on the street, you are now vulnerable to abuse, torture, sickness, starvation, and death.
In 1997, Feed the Hunger started the Manjushree Elderly Home in Kathmandu. It began with five broken and hurt ladies who were found on the streets. Over the years more ladies were brought in, and several have since quietly passed away. Not only have widows lived in the home, but also women who have suffered from deafness, muteness, or who have some mental disorder; in other words, women who are unwanted by their families and society.
The Manjushree Elderly Home is a place of great love and respect. It is a home filled with the love of Christ. The home is simple, with little furniture and rugs covering the cool cement floor. There is no TV, but there is a wonderful fish tank to watch. On the roof there is a chicken that lays eggs each morning, and there are several pots filled with tomato plants.
If you happen to walk by the house you will hear the soft and tender voices of the ladies singing and praying out to their Father. And if you happen to be invited into the home, you will have the special privilege of seeing several of them dance before the Lord. A beautiful sight!
These elderly ladies were once rejected by family and society, but now they are loved and know that people care for them. But more importantly, they know that God cares for them and loves them.
Help us continue caring for the hurting and rejected widows in Nepal. The need is great, and we must have your help to continue caring for this special home (just choose “Widows Home” in the Donation Designation dropdown menu).
Do not forsake me, O Lord! O my God, be not far from me! Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation! Psalm 38:21–22
Melinda Staples | Project Manager
