Josefine from Lerberget middle of the earthquake – Helsingborgs Dagblad

The Josefine on the bus with the children Monita, Sanesh and Dhan. Picture taken only a short time before the earthquake.

Image: Private

She got home to Sweden for a week and a half ago and the time at home has exclusively been about getting started fundraising for the orphanage Innovative Social Centre in Kathmandu. There, Josefine Nilsson worked as a volunteer in recent times.

– I had been on a long hike and sat in a restaurant in Kathmandu when I saw a bulletin board where children’s home searched volunteers. That was how it started and I was received with so much love when I arrived there the first time, says Josefine Nilsson.

Image: Private

The same day earthquake broke out in Nepal would she and the eleven children set off on a trip to Kathmandu, and also visit the Monkey Temple and Durbar Square. But the trip was delayed a few hours, which would prove to be a very happy circumstance.

Right now, Josefine Nilsson in Sweden again. She alternates between staying with mother in Hops Mölla and dad in Lerberget.

Photo: Stefan Lindqvist

Just shortly after departure, started the bus shaking.

– We stayed and ran out, and the kids and I kept us stuck in some trees. The children were terrified and screamed and prayed. I tried to keep myself as calm as I could just for their sake, says Josefine Nilsson.

The children at the orphanage now sleeping in tents. No one dares to be indoors for fear of more earthquakes.

Image: Private

Eventually could they get to a patch of grass in Kathmandu where many other people also gathered. Then they started to go back to the orphanage.

– We went and hurried four hours. We saw collapsed buildings and dead and injured people. It was quite surreal, says Josefine Nilsson, who also is happy that they did not reach Durbur Square.

– The location were completely destroyed and it was many died there.

As well was injured either the children or the family that was left in the orphanage. But the situation now is of course difficult.

– All sleeping outside in makeshift tents. And there is a shortage of everything. I am in contact with the family daily, says Josefine Nilsson.

Since she got home, she has worked with a collection to raise money so that the family who runs the orphanage can get a new house.

– This feels like my own family and I want to do everything I can to those and others in Nepal’ll be better, says Josefine Nilsson.

Photo: Stefan Lindqvist

Her fundraising page can be found at the address www.gofundme.com/orphanagenepal.