"Father was eating when they came and dragged him out and killed him."
"Our father had gone to teach, he didn't come back."

This is the horror that children like Sangita and Sarala have to live with. Sangita's father, Sohan Yadav, a farmer from Banke was beaten to death with clubs by the Maoists. Security forces killed Sarala's father, a teacher also from Banke. Both the girls now live in a children's home established by Sahara Samuha in Nepalganj for the rehabilitation of children who are victims of the insurgency. The group, which started operating from 17 November, has enough room for 50 children.

Eight children now live at the home. Six of them had no one left to support them, two of the children were left homeless by the security forces. Balkrishna Joshi, secretary of Sahara Samuha says, "It doesn't matter whether the children have been rendered helpless by the Maoists, the police or anyone. We treat them the same."

The home is run on Rs 350,000 donated by locals and needs more money since there are so many who need help. Supporting one child for a month is estimated at Rs 1,200. Says President Chandra Prasad Timilsina, "There's a danger of those affected by violence to seek revenge. The children's home wants to help them avoid the violent path, and to work towards peace."