A Durban family is refusing to give up hope as they continue their desperate search for 33-year-old Terricia Govender, who has been missing in Nepal for nearly two weeks following devastating flash floods.
Govender was reportedly travelling as part of a pilgrimage group when the floods struck. She is among thousands of people reported missing following the disaster.
Her mother, Linda, and family friend Sashin have travelled to Nepal and are assisting with the search for the missing woman.
Linda said the family has received little information about Govender’s whereabouts and has struggled to get assistance from the foundation through which her daughter travelled.
“We have not heard any information from anyone. All families are in the same boat as we are. We are also not getting assistance from the foundation she travelled with,” she said.
Determined to find her daughter, Linda said she is prepared to search through debris herself if necessary.
“We cannot sit back and wait. We are praying for a miracle,” she said.
‘Mummy is searching for you’
On social media, Linda shared an emotional update as the search entered its 13th day, saying the family would continue exploring every possible avenue to find Terricia.
“Today is Day 13, and Team Terricia is ready to continue the search for our beautiful Terricia,” she wrote.
The family planned to travel further inland, asking questions, searching and following every possible lead.
Linda described waking up each morning without her daughter as heartbreaking but said the pain would not stop her from continuing the search.
“As a mother, waking up another morning without my daughter is heartbreaking. But I cannot allow the pain to stop me. I have to keep moving. I have to keep searching,” she said.
Addressing her daughter directly, Linda added: “Terricia, Trissy, as Thatha calls you — please note that Mummy is searching for you.”
She said she was praying that Terricia was safe, warm, had access to food and somewhere to rest.
“It has been too long now. Please come home,” Linda wrote.
The family has appealed to the public to continue sharing Terricia’s photographs and information in the hope that someone may recognise her or provide information that could assist the search.
Linda stressed that the family is not seeking financial donations.
“We don’t need donations. We need prayers. We need hope. We need awareness. We need Terricia home,” she said.
As Day 13 of the search begins, the family says it will continue searching and following every possible lead.
“We are still searching. We are not giving up,” Linda said.