So many reasons to rejoice!
Planned for two years , after Kunkhen from Kopan monastery invited us to spread our hearing care program to the very remote regions of Prok and Lho, below Manaslu glacier and base camp, we walked (trekked!!) to work for 4 days to the hearing camp site at Prok.
The camp was well attended for three days, and then we walked for two further days to Lho for our second three day camp. Again the camp was well supported, with sixty persons coming for care on the last day. 490 persons came for the two camps, with 36 hearing assessments, mostly resulting in and devices fitted.
Bright sunshine, victorious in the retreat of the monsoon, ensured easy walking and that our planned departure by helicopter eventuated without concern or obstacle. A commitment made to the villages two years ago by our team, fulfilled with professional exuberance…what a blessing that we are able!
Further reason to rejoice was that Sangye, also from Kopan Monastery, and Detlev were able to offer eye care (examination, medical treatments and free prescription glasses) next to us for the three days in Prok and two of the three days in Lho. So many thanks from those who were able to receive the eye care bonus.
Who made it happen?
From Australia: John Formosa and family from Mackay, supporters of our program from its conception, generously donated alternate hearing devices, the power supply components (two 90watt solar panels, two sealed 17 amphr batteries, inverters and chargers, Nepali team expenses, etc.) To their good health and happiness, and to all sentient beings, we dedicate the goodness derived from this camp.
In Nepal: Keshab from our Nepalese partner NGO, NAHOH, makes it happen! Keshab teamed with primary ear care trainee Pema to conduct the primary ear care camp, with inspection, ear maintenance and if essential, free medicines. After basic hearing level assessment, they would refer to Kunkhen and lew those requiring full hearing assessment with the view to issuing free hearing aids or body worn amplifiers. Their families were trained in device management.
Kunkhen, a native of Prok, enlisted the willing support of his family and community. Special thanks to his brothers Pema and Tenzin, his father who met us at roads end and walked up with us and his mother who came down the path to greet us on the last day with local apples and hot tea.
Mum’s support continued, with fresh hot spiced golden potato snacks, organising the women’s support group to prepare meals and finally breakfast on the last day.
Pema is a local health worker, and organised the villagers to attend our camp, having previously educated the communities in the benefits of attending the combined hearing and eye camps.
He also organised our permits to enter the restricted areas and permission for our Nepali based team to provide our services. Pema recruited seven porters from his local village to meet us at Arughat to carry all our equipment. Three aluminium chests full of glasses and eye drops, and a case of eye examination equipment, one 36 kg power system , one suitcase of primary ear care medicines and another with Keshab’s equipment.
Tenzin, brother of Kunkhen and Pema, volunteered as our official guide. He was required by the permit authorities. He was a cheerful addition to our team, also helping with the enrolments during the camps. Thanks young man, a job well done! For anyone who wants a guide next time they visit Nepal, we confidently guarantee his ability!
Dan accompanied us from Australia. As an electrician, he maintained our solar power systems and the resurrection of local supply when available. He unwaveringly minded the “high maintenance” Detlev on the six days of trekking, allowing Sangye to wander along at the rear as a sweeper , paying our accounts in our wake.
Thanks to solid state technology, Keshab can carry two laptops, digital otoscope plus personal kit and lew can now carry his own audiometer, digital otoscope, Hipro hearing aid programmer, hearing aids and alds and of course, Blackbear, still doing his thing, meeting and greeting, settling the kids and amusing the adults.
Some intermittent, unstable voltage power was available for the varying voltage tolerant battery chargers and finally in Lho we relied solely on solar power.
Small teddy bears from a deceased estate collection in Australia are now are being subjected to multiple expressions of love by village children in Prok…small toy…great joy!
Our second home was in a monastery, above Lho, and across the valley from Manaslu glacier and base camp. Steadily the people came, keeping the hearing device fitting team busy until each days end. The final day bought extra persons, coinciding with the welcome of two Rhinpoches from White monastery in Kathmandu.
We were warmly received by Khenpo Kunsung and his monks, eating evening meals by the stove in the cooking room.
And, so the timely arrival of the helicopter and the usual spirited discussion about how much it will lift, we went back to Kathmandu.
Thanks Kunkhen, Pema, Tenzin, family and friends and the porters in Prok, and to Khenpo Kunsung, his monks and staff in the Monastery above Lho.
All is good! …… lew.
