Two photos, same person, same location, taken two years apart. We first met this girl in 2014 at the slum area in the Dhading District of Nepal. While she was still in her teens, she was already a labourer, a bride, and a mother. We met her again this year, about one year after the great earthquake. She was still there as if nothing had changed. But we noticed that at least one thing had changed. Her once youthful smile had faded away, and the years spent breaking river rocks could never be returned. I wondered, how much longer would she have to continue her days, months, years like this? I wish and pray that we can have more resources to help more people like her to escape the endless cycle of labour and poverty.
Photos: Violin Chan
Words: Joe Lee
Photo taken in 2014
Photo of the same girl taken in 2016