White butterflies bring hope to quake-ravaged Kalmochan

Kathmandu / April 8: On Wednesday, April 6, artist Milan Rai pasted 9,000 white paper butterflies all over the walls in the premises of Kalmochan Temple, Thapathali which was destroyed in the earthquake last year. These butterflies are in the honor of those individuals who lost their lives last year.

Rai was assisted by hundreds of young people who volunteered their time and effort after seeing him reach out in social media. This is not the first time the artist’s ‘White Butterfly’ campaign has worked for the earthquake victims. Last year, in the aftermath of the tremors, Rai collected funds and gathered young volunteers who ran a cleaning campaign and helped construct toilets in different areas temporarily inhabited by victims and survivors.

Artist Rai began his campaign three years ago by pasting white butterflies on trees and walls around Kathmandu. The butterflies signify hope. Such is the popularity of the ‘White Butterfly’ campaign that it has now spread to over 40 countries across the globe. He says, “It’s not possible for me to go everywhere but my well wishers are taking my work around the world.”

Next on the list is a trip to the US. Rai will be presenting the campaign at the prestigious Harvard University. It is because of this trip that the campaign at Kalmochan Temple was shifted a few days earlier. “I had planned this campaign for April 24 but that was the same day I was invited to give the presentation at Harvard. So I had to move it forward,” he explains.

Over 300 youth participated in the Kalmochan Temple project. Students of Bachelor’s in Social Work from K & K International College declared Wednesday to be ‘Butterfly Holiday’ and were present for the campaign. A few young people had also come over from different areas of the country to participate in the campaign.

Nisha Tamang, a young volunteer from Dolakha who had also volunteered to construct the toilets last year, said, “I came here with my friends on Tuesday after I came to know it was happening in Kathmandu. I hope I can take some white butterflies with me when I return home.” Source: Myrepublica