Solu Khumbu trip – April 2011

Thank you for my new hearing aids

My last day in Kathmandu, a sunny morning at Bouda Stupa, calm and quiet, a good spot to compose a report.

It’s Nepali New years day, one of many new years days each year. Losar, the Tibetan new year has past, and the Newari new year, “Teehar”, after Dashain festival is to come.

What is to report? Why are we here?

Thubten Shedup Ling Monastery, Solu Khumbu

The “what?”…Five hundred adults and children of all ages, Tibetan school children and some of the local deaf school children with teachers attended our first camp in Solu Khumbu – Sallerie region, at the Thubten Shedup Ling Monastery, or “Kopan Gompa”.

It was organised from Kopan Monastery, near Kathmandu, by Sangye Tenzin, manager of its Medicine Buddha Clinic, and in Solu Khumbu by Geshe Thubten Yonten. They were so thorough in every detail. Geshe-la been in charge of rebuilding both spiritually and materially the “Kopan Gompa” for 9 years, including health programs. He welcomed our Ear camp, the first of its type in the region, with the details broadcast locally on FM radio! Six days (or was it daze?) duration.

Our biggest team… Reception (local monks) completed patient details on the Primary Ear care form.

Keshab and clean ears

Keshab and Tashi (stars from previous programs) examined and cleaned ears, issued appropriate medication and referrals. Keshab is from NAHOH and Tashi is a monk from Kopan’s clinic. Medication was supplied by us, assembled by Keshab from NAHOH’s Kirtipur clinic.

Keshab dexterously identified hearing test candidates with a tuning fork. They were then screened by Sangye, for compliance with our fitting guidelines. (Adults best ear > 50 3FAHL, all children with a HL > 25 3FAHLwere assessed and a 9yo and 11yo were binaurally fitted)

Sangye, hearing screening

Screened hearing aid candidates and audiological referrals were then fully assessed by Jade Fredericksen and BJ, an energetic, cheerful monk from Kopan, translating and assisting with such enthusiasm.

Jade would then make recommendations re aid fitting, and any medical referrals which Keshab would organize in KTM.

Sundu and Lew fitted the aids. Sundu, a shopkeeper monk from Kopan not to mention Rinpoche carer, translated and ensured the recipients understood and could demonstrate their hearing aid management ability. He was so thorough. How well we all worked together, for 5.8 days. .2 day- soccer with the locals. Jade too.

Gratitude… Sundu and Jade look on, as Lew receives a katag

We flew there in a Twin Otter, side slipping down onto the dirt runway, the cross wind challenging the Nepalese pilots. After a two hr “Nepali flat” uphill trek, with two porters and one horse, equipment (three large suit cases and a duffle full of medicines), the gang arrived at the Monastery.

Nap, then set up and check, for next day start. We stayed in great rooms above the Gompa, with snow mountain views and chilled water! Colorful prayer flags fluttered or flapped, (wind dependent). Locally harvested and prepared cuisine was delivered to our dining area by the littlest of monks.

Jade, Sundu and BB and A happy “Maxi” ALD

Clinics were spread through the medical centre to the monk house, five separate areas. Jade and BJ in the clinic, Sundu and Lew in the hall, reception, primary ear care and hearing screening (Sangye, Keshab, Tashi, Nyima and Hari) in the new monk house, which was sponsored by a German eye specialist, Dr. Detlev Guek, who is also conducting an eye clinic on our next excursion to Tawal.

BJ with Mum and son. What joy!

In response to the local radio broadcasts, locals gathered early in the waiting areas. Sadly twenty will have to wait till next visit to be assessed for hearing aids (time and finance restrictions), but we rejoice at the five hundred we could help, forty six hearing aids or ALD’s fitted and especially the deaf girl who the President of NAHOH, Macha Bhai, was able to place in a deaf school in Kathmandu. Macha Bhai and Keshab also assisted with ENT referrals to the hospitals in Kathmandu.The real value of working with locals.

We packed up. We left instructions. We thanked and were thanked. We strolled back to the airport. We rested for a day at the air strip, waiting for our cancelled plane to be reinstated. Too windy, it seems. Something different taking off was the reconnection with the runway after lift off, as the runway rose more steeply than our climb rate. No worries, we uttered as the cliff end of the runway disappeared beneath us.

Tashi Instructs.

So who may be the unsung heroes of our camp. I think those monks who stayed at Kopan, covering the absence of Sangye, Tashi, BJ and Sundu. Thanks so much guys.

And Sue, holding the Australian fort intact. Thanks Sue, your support and understanding is simply the best.

And WHY?

Airport departure lounge.

The Abbott of Kopan, Khenrinpoche Lama Lhundrup, suggested to Sue and I that it would benefit many, should we go to the remote areas of Tsum valley and Solu Khumbu with our hearing program of primary ear care, loss detection and rehabilitation..

Done! We are looking forward to continued and new sponsor support to maintain the essential follow up services. We return to Tsum in June, and plan to fit the 40 or so custom moulds in Solu Khumbu in September. Back to Tawal for the third time in November. We rejoice that kind hearts continue to appear, as initial establishment funding is limited.

We rejoice at the opportunities to continue our work, backed by caring sponsors. We trust the beneficiaries will pass on their new found joy, in the spirit of peace and happiness.

And for the statistically minded..

• 6 day clinic, 500 local beneficiaries.
• Hearing Aids fitted 45 aids (tempory Docs Pro Moulds, with custom moulds to follow, generously donated by Bernafon and Sonic.
• Moderate to severe loss 21 persons (one aid each)
• Power Aids 11 persons (one aid each)
• High Power aids 5 persons (we pack the Doc’s Pro mould with Blue Tack)
• ALD’s 8 elder clients
• Children, 9yo, 11yo (included above, 2 each. Consdered critical due to class conditions and the potential loss of one aid.)
• Audiological assessments: 58
• Ear drum perforations 7 ?%