Story

Bhutanese Refugees in Nepal: Leaving Camp

September 25, 2014 | Pulitzer Center
By
Julia Rendleman

Smile Devan, 33, a Nepali citizen, says his final goodbyes to his daughter, Rina Shah, 7, before she, her brother and mother leave the refugee camp for the United States. Devan, who is not a refugee, does not know when he will see his two children again since he is not eligible to resettle. Image by Julia Rendleman. Nepal, 2014.

During a monsoon rain in early July, friends, family and neighbors come out of the Sanischare refugee camp to see loved ones off as they embark on their journey to the United States. Three times a week, buses pull out of the camps full of refugees bound for Kathmandu, then new lives in America. Image by Julia Rendleman. Nepal, 2014.

Dambar Kumari Dhungel, 31, (left) waves goodbye to her husband and friends as she pulls out of the Sanischare refugee camp for the last time. Image by Julia Rendleman. Nepal, 2014.

Those not bound for third countries watch as fellow refugees leave the camps for the last time. Many who have yet to resettle said the delay of their own immigration coupled with having so many friends, family members and life-long neighbors leave makes them feel depressed and lonely. Image by Julia Rendleman. Nepal, 2014.

Purna Bahadur Gurung shows an information sheet that the International Organization for Migration gave him to prepare him for his upcoming departure for the United States. He and his family will relocate to Cincinnati, Ohio. Image by Julia Rendleman. Nepal, 2014.

Jyoty Kharel, 16, on a bus to get to her final medical examination—the last step in the immigration process—the day before she resettles in Atlanta. Image by Julia Rendleman. Nepal, 2014.

Each refugee is allowed only a small amount of personal possessions for the move across the world. One duffle bag per person is the usual, although some travel with even less. Image by Julia Rendleman. Nepal, 2014.

Buddhi Maya Rai signals a "good-bye" to her family as they leave for the United States. Rai said she was happy to see her family start a new life, though she will miss them. Image by Julia Rendleman. Nepal, 2014.

A ritual of leaving has become a part of daily life in the Bhutanese refugee camps in eastern Nepal. Three times a week buses leave the camps with those selected for third-country resettlement, and three times a week family and friends say goodbye. It is a bittersweet time. Most are happy to see their family and friends bound for what is surely a better life, but there is sadness as well. Of course they are sad to say goodbye to loved ones, unsure when they will be reunited and sorry to be left behind, not knowing how much longer they will have to languish in the ever-lonelier refugee camps.