We were invited to hold an ear camp at Ngari Institute of Buddhist Dialectics, by Nawang Thinley, the Librarian at Kopan Monastery.
In accordance with our published guidelines, their commitment was to provide our food and accommodation, and three powered rooms from which we could undertake primary ear care, hearing assessment and hearing device fitting. Three interpreters and support staff, with non-discriminatory access to our camp by the public completed the list. So formal a start, but in this case it was the basis for the most rewarding of experiences for the recipients of our care, and our pleasure as witnesses to the results of their collective karma.
All is good! The gentle people, the weather, fresh fruit and veggies, fresh local curd, in an environment of rich history encompass us in dream time! The Institute displays a compassionate desire to educate the 30 resident students in the values derived from their Buddhist cultural heritage, within the pursuit of modern scientific academia.
Keshab, (picture left) star of our Nepal partner organisation, is also knowledgeable in apricot selection. Nawang Thinley, centre, a local by birth, knew which lady had the best ones. And Dorje, (squatting) is our exciting trainee. HH the Dalai Lama is keen for monks to be involved in compassionate public care, and so he joins our program with the blessing of his Gurus.
So Keshab and Nawang Thinley came from Nepal and Jade (Yoga teacher and Australian Audiologist) joined us (Sue and lew) again, and with the quick to learn local support team, Dorje and Thinley, we were manning a primary ear care station, two audiological assessment stations (Sue and Jade) and lew fitted the hearing aids and Alternate listening devices resulting in 305 visits to primary care, 93 assessments and 67 fittings. We had time for a picnic. Heaven was near by.
97 year old Stobigas and his carer Rabjung favoured the Mini ald, supplied by Word of Mouth, in Australia.
Tsering, 9 years old, has only recently been “discovered” to have a hearing loss. Until then, unfairly labelled as being “ unable to learn”. Dorje is helping her daily with speech development. Tsering, in just a few days, was joining in games and lessons, as we all wish is the case for all kids.
Technical problems abound when the power supply voltages range from 160 to 250 volts. We use voltage regulators or “stabilisers”, but equipment that draws larger currents still struggles.
We now use solid state lap tops (no conventional hard drive), with USB audiometers (Oscilla) and Hi Pro programmers that feed from the lap top. Expensive, yes, but that is what it takes! Thanks Doug and Bozzy at GN Resound for their tireless support. The digital otoscopes from Werner at Sonic further reduce the load and add to the quality of care. Tympanometers are battery powered. So, two audiometers, two lap tops, two Hi Pros, a tympanometer and digital otoscope all go in one back pack. It used to be a 30kg case the donkeys could single out to squash when they decided to rest in transit.
Jade and Sue test a profoundly deaf boy. Parents can make informed decisions when planning their child’s future. That is the audiometer, included in the headset!
We are fitting Bernafon, Siemens and Sonic aids now, and when we accumulate enough Oticon and Phonak aids, they will go into our program. All our donated Widex aids go to David and Valerie’s project in Pokhara. They have a great team there, and like us, are heavily dependent on your support.
Australian Hearing in Canberra deserves the highest accolades for their continued substantial support, and have collected 80% of the aids we have fitted this year. We have three more camps this year in remote Nepal, and twice weekly clinics in Kathmandu’s very poor areas. So with gratitude, we continue our plea for support, aids and alternate listening devices, equipment and cash collections.
All the requirements for our submission to Ausaid for eventual tax deductibility for contributions have been submitted, and so we practice our patience.
So much to be happy about, so many to thank, so much more to do…..with your blessing. Here, the children sing for the benefit of all who attend our program. And what a good job they did! Normally we shun “ceremonies” but their short but sincere songs paved the way for a camp most memorable.
Every one is welcome, and the community harmony was indicative of a good heart being the common denominator.
Aussie friends also collect quality kids books and fluffy toys which we also take to enhance their libraries and classrooms, not to mention something to snuggle at night..
We encouraged those who could to make a donation towards the children’s fund. One gentleman brought fresh curd as his contribution.
Sharing the joy and thanks for caring…..