Sakeena and her children facing winter in Kailash Valley

Sakeena, age 38, lives in the icy northern mountains of Pakistan, in the Kailash Valley. This valley is completely cut off from the outside world for nearly half of the year due to the accumulation of snow which blocks the roads leading into it. 

Sakeena is married and has four children. Two of her daughters are handicapped – one from birth, and the other after falling out of a tree while collecting grapes a couple of years ago. Her other two sons are receiving an education, and they are the only hope that their family’s living situation will someday improve. She also takes care of her sister’s son, who is two years old, because his mother died while giving birth to him.  

Her husband is working far away as a security guard in Peshawar, which is about 350 kilometers away over rough mountain roads. His salary is just PKR 10,000 per month (USD 63). His income is so low that he cannot afford to come home for several months at a time, even during festivals. 

She said, “I take care of my children all alone. I go to the jungle, cut the trees and carry wood home on my back for the fire. We are both, myself and my husband, striving to meet our family’s needs. During the winter season, life gets harder, as we didn’t have many resources, and the temperature can fall below -10 degrees Celsius.”   

“I was so worried,” she added, “when the winter started infull swing, and had many problems, as necessary items to face the weather were not available. However, today I’ve received from the team from King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) a winter kit including blankets, and other necessary items and clothes. Also, a beautiful scarf that I will wear on Choimus, a winter festival in our valley. Now all I hope is that my husband can travel back here to meet us.”