As 2017 draws to a close, its a good time to review our program’s highlights, and let you know what we have accomplished.

This year we have focused on supporting the Hearing Health hubs we have established in Ladakh ( northern India), Dhanusha and Lumbini in Nepal.
This model – resourcing and training local hearing health workers who then provide a regular service to the community – rather than just relying on annual visits from us – is our goal and the future of our program.
We rejoice in the success of our local workers – Angmo in Ladakh, Kamala in Dhanusha – who are really taking the program forward in their communities.

These programs are of course in addition to Kehsab’s foundation work in Kathmandu – providing  regular clinics in and around the Kathmandu valley, offering hearing assessment and rehabilitation where required. His commitment to Himalayan health & Hearing and the people he sees is incredible. Our deepest gratitude always to Keshab.

Manisha’s education program around Kathmandu is also growing – she is not only educating the children and teachers about ear health, but she is identifying those students who need hearing assessments and intervention – either medical referrals or hearing aids. A wonderful and crucial role in really changing the fate of those with hearing loss.

WHAT DO WE NEED FROM OUR SUPPORTERS TO KEEP THE PROGRAM GOING?

SPREAD OUR STORY!

Like & Share our posts on Facebook and our newsletters so more people can see what we are doing.
(Thanks to Georgia Lester for her regular posting to FB for us) DONATE IF YOU CAN!

Natalie from Oman has been supporting us since we started. Thanks Nat!
(Nat is one of five weekly or monthly donors)
Regular monthly donations help us spread the budget more easily over the year, and of course one-off donations are always appreciated.

WE CELEBRATE OUR DONORS , WHO HAVE CARED SO MUCH FOR OTHERS
DONATIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE IN AUSTRALIA
WE REJOICE THAT WE CAN….THANKS TO YOU!

LUMBINI (SOUTH WEST NEPAL) DECEMBER 2017

Our latest trip to Lumbini ( where the weather was much warmer than in Ladakh) allowed us to see a number of adults and children from the local community.

Our social mobiliser in Lumbini is Motilal, and his sister Smitri Yadav (pictured right with a new hearing aid recipient) attended our clinic to gain experience. She has just completed her CMA training (Community Medical Assistant) and we are hoping she will help us move our Lumbini program forward.

Our 4WD vehicle has become an integral part of providing services throughout Nepal.
It provides us security and safety for our local workers and visiting supporters.
Keshab has learned to drive and can use the vehicle for his daily programs in and around Kathmandu, as well as visits to our outlying centres in Dhanusha and Lumbini.

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DHANUSHA (SOUTHERN PLAINS OF NEPAL) DECEMBER 2017

The second of two bi-annual visits. Kamala, accountant and part time hearing program manager for the Community Family Welfare Association in the region, is now able to test and fit digital hearing aids with minimal supervision. She has ready access to Keshab in Kathmandu and delayed connectivity with us in Australia. This time there is an election in progress, announced after our program was organised. This meant reduced attendance and noise interruptions, but not to worry, Kamala will continue regular service when we have gone. We shall also return next March.

THREE YOUNG PEOPLE CAN START NEW HEARING EXPERIENCES, AT SCHOOL AND WITH FRIENDS. And of course, some older community members too! And guess who doesn’t want his ears checked!

Black Bear gets to be in the photos because he has our logo on his shirt. And he knows Gold Coast Benji!

The local CFWA group is building a permanent health & community centre in Dhanusha and the bottom floor will be our permanent hearing centre.

When more funds are raised, that is!

We have contributed to the cost of this building, but need more funds to complete our section and fit it out as a permanent hearing centre for the local communities.
Kamala, our local hearing health worker will use this for seeing clients locally, as well as her base for visits to surrounding towns.

You can help bring this community’s dream to reality by donating to our building fund.

Donate Today

LADAKH (HIMALAYAN PLATEAU – INDIA) NOVEMBER 2017

And I now make another routine visit to offer some more training and bring supplies to keep the centre on a steady path. Winter has set in, although not -40 degrees C yet!

Angmo goes to the centre daily, there is a heater there too!
Our visitors are a mixture of ages, new and returned visits. A small community, yes, but isolated on a plateau in the Himalayan mountains, there is no other hearing care service in the region. Those who can afford it sponsor those who can’t, and the centre pays its own rent and running expenses. We of course supply aids and dome moulds. The batteries are sold at cost. We also provide for Angmo’s wages.
I stay in Angmo’s family house and eat yummy momos!

Our total budget for Ladakh is Australian $10,000 per year, and donations are needed to maintain this essential program for another year.

So from all of us at Himalayan Health & Hearing, to you and your families, we wish you a very happy holiday season ( if it is one for you) and a prosperous and joyous 2018.

May all beings everywhere be happy and free.
May all my thoughts, words and actions,
contribute in some way to the happiness of all beings.