How wonderful it truly is to rejoice in others happiness, whether it be through giving from the heart, or receiving a life changing benefit…we are engulfed in it!
Hearing camps were completed in the remote Tsum valley, Nepal, and then a Southern Indian refugee camp and back again to Chelsa in the Solu region, on the way to Everest. One after the other, each filled our buckets with ”Sympathetic Joy” during the months May to July 2012.
“Our” program – (Sue and lew with generous friends and supporters, kicked off in 2009) has evolved into “their” program. NAHOH (Nepal Association for the Hard of Hearing) has become the main provider of services, supported by staff from Kopan Monastery, in association with the HearingNEPAL Program, now compromising of Aussies with warm hearts, (individuals and groups, e.g. NAFA, Whitsunday Lions Club, Bernafon, Sonic, Siemens, private and national hearing services providers, GN Otometrics, Word of Mouth, Vorotek, Doc’s Pro Moulds and the invaluable support of ACAud, our professional body that constantly musters support in the form of exposure and encouragement. Ellen-May, it’s your turn to be singled out- thanks so much!
So let’s share the joy.
Beginning with an email to our web site, from Manish Shrestha, President of Leo Club, NEPAL…and I quote…“We came across a boy, Manoj Gautam, age 7, who is deaf and dumb, because he cannot hear. We came to realize after seeing his medical report that, he may try to speak if he is given appropriate hearing aid as mentioned in the report. We are trying to manage the funds for this poor children, but it is a big amount to manage for nepalese volunteers like us. Even if it so, we have decided to go with it. So I want to ask your organization, if you can help in obtaining the hearing aid or speech therapy.”
Manish was referred to NAHOH, and an appointment was made to also coincide with Sue’s and my visit. During the same day, he was tested, and fitted with two hearing aids, complete with two custom moulds made on site. In the photo, Sue and Sangye check Manoj, 9, with an audiometer donated from Aus, reconditioned and calibrated thanks to Whitsunday Lions Club and Bozzy. Background is Leo President and Manoj’s dad, with Sangye Tenzin, from Kopan Monastery, now a trained services provider. The venue, NAHOH clinic, rent provided by more Aussies from NAFA (Nepal Australia Friendship Assoc.)
Keshab, from NAHOH will co-ordinate speech therapy sessions with the nearby Teaching University.
And from our “FEEDBACK” files
Nawang Sherpa is 3 years old. His father, Dorje brought him to our Solu camp (remote Everest region) in July 2012.
Nawang has had a bilateral hearing loss, since birth, with “delayed speech” (he is not able to mimic speech fully as he can not hear all of it)
He shall go to Kathmandu where Keshab (the man from NAHOH!) will organise a “play audiogram” NAHOH will then fit him with two hearing aids.
Here (photo right) Rabjor (left) a volunteer monk from Kopan Monastery (KTM) joins Keshab (centre) the man from NAHOH, ie our hearing services provider, and chats with Dandi Katel. Dandi was fitted in our first camp in March, 2011, fitted with his custom mould at our second camp in June 2011 and back for review in July 2012. Dandi’s son, Kali also gets batteries for his dad from the NAHOH Kirtipur clinic, to save his dad the long walk to the monastery at Chelsa, Solu region.
Photo left: Khima brought her son Ugal who is also 3 years of age they to our clinic in Chelsa, Solu, this July, Khima will bring Ugal for assessment and fitting and therapy to NAHOH in Kathmandu.
As she is busy in the fields till after Dashain, in late September, they will have to delay their journey. It is two tortuous days by road.
Dan Maya was struck by lightning four years ago.She was waitlisted at our first clinic in March 2011, and then fitted with a Bernafon Extreme 121 in September 2011. Dan Maya collected her custom mould this July and we changed the cover to a less conspicuous dark brown. (Photo: old cover in her hand)
Her tempory Doc’s Pro Mould (stuffed with blue tack to reduce feedback) was worn out, after use in the dusty fields
A Bernafon Extreme 121 with a new custom mould. No feedback at prescription gain settings. How good can it get! 18 year old Keshab has a bright, new outlook, thanks to all those supporters in Aus!
Seven year old Anil Magar walked with his older friends from Salleri in the rain (1.5hrs). He could not hear very well and his ears were sore! Keshab showed his friends how to put the “GSB” drops (Glycerine Sodium bicarbonate mixture) in his ears, and asked for him to be brought back in two days for syringing. This is a compelling reason why our clinics go for 7-8 days, as news has to travel, and we need time for follow up visits.
A young lady, 11 yrs old went to the local hospital 2 years ago to have the wheat seed (pictured in ear) removed. They were unable to remove it. We rejoice that Keshab was able to extract it. What a relief!
Pemba Lama (right of photo opposite) swapped his “Maxi” ALD (Alternate listening device) fitted last year for a new “mini”. He chats to his friend Sonam, who returned a hearing aid which had become difficult to manage, and now also sports a “mini” All ALD’s are generously made affordable to HearingNEPAL Program by Andrew and family at Word of Mouth.
Thankyou, so many warm hearts, for continuing to support us.
Further donations of BTE hearing aids would be so welcome at
HearingNEPAL Program,
PO Box 599
CANNONVALE QLD 4802