After the Quakes … smiles are still possible
Keshab, Sarita and lew delivering teddy bears to Dhulikhel hospital
Earthquake casualties and mothers with their new babies found smiles when the fluffy critters were handed out.
A keen supporter and contributor to our program, Berit in Copenhagen, mentioned the tireless caring contribution of the Dhulikhel Hospital staff. Our man Keshab took them food and ladies hygene parcels, and when lew arrived, so did a very large bag of teddies.
Ongoing aid delivery
Keshab has been instrumental in distributing needed supplies to those affected by the earthquakes. Initially with his brothers (using the HHH vehicle) and now in conjunction with Karuna Shechen’s medical camps.
Our niche distribution focus became sanitary products, soap, toothbrushes / toothpaste & towels – things that are needed, but often forgotten by the “big” charities as they focus on food & shelter.
We have now progressed to providing roofing iron for families trying to rebuild shelters before the monsoon season arrives.
The families provide all other materials (often recycled from their damaged homes) and all labour to build their new homes.
We will maintain a very focused delivery of these materials – it’s not our brief to rebuild Nepal – but in alignment with our mission statement “Compassion in ACTION” we will continue to do what we can.
Click HERE to read about Keshab’s efforts.
Dhanusha Hearing Camp June 25th to 27th
THREE CAMPS IN NEIGHBOURING DISTRICTS
Our partnership with the Shechen Clinic and Hospice and the local Dhanusha “CFWA- Community Family Welfare Association” and our commitment to four hearing related camps in this ‘new’ territory for us resulted in Keshab, Sarita, Master (our volunteer driver) and lew, travelling seven hours south east from Kathmandu to Dhanusha to meet our new team and review program progress.
And what a worthwhile program this combination is!
Keshab had previously visited the area and conducted a pilot hearing clinic, meeting with the relevant local team members.
We conducted three hearing camps in different VDCs (districts)
- Tulsiyahi Nikash – 185 attendees
- Nagrain – 316 attendees
- Dhanauji – 225 attendees
On the fourth day in Baubarwa VDC we met with the local “Womens Reproductive Rights Forum” – WRRF- and checked out the expecting mother’s education program, also sponsored by our PoP program.
To encourage the ladies of the WRRF to work as a team, with one voice, issue by issue, we have arranged for them in times of frustration to consult with the CFWA accounts lady, Karmala, nominated their ‘designated person”. Karmala will then refer to agreed influential parties for additional assistance.
On the fifth day we visited Bhaktapur, and in particular those without established “charity connections” to assist them with roofing iron, to make a temporary home…they supply all labour, bamboo poles and material for the sides, reclaimed from their decimated homes.
We will buy the quality iron for five families this Monday, June 2nd.
Keshab will then travel to Sindhupalchok, the most severely affected area where four thousand plus people have died. We previously have delivered first aid provisions and will assess their plight and then decide to whom we will deliver iron …and so on until our money runs out!
Keshab had run a trial camp March 2015 in the Fulgama VDC. 50 attended, 48 were treated for primary ear care problems, including medicines, and one lady, Asha, married with three children, was given a temporary fitting until this camp.
This area on the Indian border, is experiencing sweltering heat, with the monsoons still a month away. No mountains to attract tourists and the awareness they take with them, it has difficulty attracting government or NGO funding.
T
his has been the most demanding area we have conducted our camps in, using 50% more medicines and fitting young and old who have had little or no chance of hearing related assistance. Our first camp was in a LIONS INTERNATIONAL sponsored school. Our local Whitsunday LIONS club have given us substantial support from our beginning…love the connection!
Sangita, 14 yrs old, became sick when she was three years old and lost her hearing.
Dharmadev 28yrs old, has not heard anything but shouted words for 3 years
Raju, 17yrs old had a hearing aid fitted 14 yrs ago, but initially because of the Maoist uprising, was unable to travel to Kathmandu for repairs.
And now, he cannot afford to!
Mahomed has had a debilitating hearing loss since childhood. He has some language skills that will develop with restored hearing levels.
Jitendra, 18 yrs, pictured with his mum, has had a severe loss since childhood. No previous rehabilitation.
12 year old Nitu, with Sarita,(HH&H team) lost her hearing after an infection related to swimming in the local pond, as a small child. Again, she was not able to access hearing care.
16 year old Mantoria has a bilateral hearing loss since she fell from a first floor to the ground. After medication, she had a hearing loss.
Karmala is a volunteer with the local Community Family Welfare Association (CFWA) and will be trained and equipped by us to continue health care in the region. Here she explains to Kishor how his alternate listening device(to a ear level hearing aid) operates. We are excited to have found Karmala – she actually is the volunteer accountant and will soon run the Karuna – Shechen Nutrition program. The same Karmala mentioned above as the appointed designated person for the Women’s Reproductive Rights Forum. Her husband is a project coordinator with our partner CFWA.
The number of young people requiring assistance highlighted the humble life style and inability to go over the ‘range’ into the Kathmandu valley for assistance.
We have committed to four hearing camps a year, two of which I will attend until the need lessens and our local training bears fruit!
This time, 28 persons have had acceptable hearing levels returned, through hearing device fitting.
PRIMARY EAR CARE
726 attendees in 3 days, 40 degree plus heat and long days without lunch….Keshab was busy. The medicine seen in this photo of our 3rd day camp were bought locally, as we had not forseen the additional demand levels.
The insect was living in a ladies ear…she is 27 years old…not sure about her visitor!
All the PoP program team came to at least one of our camps, and the enrollment desk was manned by our partner, CFWA team. “It is good!”
Our Dhanauji Clinic was held in a community buiding (rear of photo) with the local school children taking lessons under the trees.
WOMENS REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH (including Uterine Prolapse) Program. – This section based on the reports we get from CFWA- thanks Manoj!
On Womens Day (Nari Divas) was celebrated on the 25th March with rallies…well attended…with a slogan requesting “Gender equality provisions in the new constitution and a solution for violation on women” – At these rallies, awareness of issues and programs in place were highlighted.
Pelvic Organ Prolapse Committees have been established in the 10 districts (VDCs)- each with 20 members.Meetings were organized in March, embracing all cultures and religions, including Dalit, Janjati, and Muslim. 92 attended!
Programs organized incuded “Implementation of ring pessary availibility, and monitoring its effectiveness.” The Government holds one prolapse surgery camp per year, the first before our program became fully effective, and so many ladies are having to wait till next year’s camp!
Nutritional food has been the subject of 3 camps so far, with 247 attendees. “People appreciate the program and say that it plays a key role in changing community living style.
Pregnant mothers and their families are attending (5 so far-369 attendees) and are learning about how to “make changes to dietary habits, health and health check ups, and its relation to Uterine prolapse”.
General health issues and dietary supplements (iron, Iodine salt) are emphasized, with appropriate posters and pamphlets.
A guided tour through ten stations with subject matter including human growth and development, male and female reproductive organs, fetal development, nutrition,preparation for pregnancy, danger signs, breast feeding, family planning, safe abortion,and happy families with gender based equity and equality, uterine prolapse related exhibitions and awareness related games.
WE MUST CONGRATULATE KARUNA-SHECHEN and the CFWA FOR THEIR INCREDIBLE VISION AND RESOURCEFULNESS IN PRESENTING SUCH A PROGRAM.
WE ARE HONOURED BE A PARTNER IN THESE PROGRAMS AND WILL DO ALL WE CAN TO RAISE FUNDS TO ENSURE THEIR CONTINUATION.
COMPASSION IN ACTION!
WE MUST SUPPORT OUR DONORS SO FAR, WHO HAVE CARED SO MUCH FOR OTHERS.
GLORIOUS REASONS TO REJOICE – THANKS TO TO KESHAB…
and HOW GLAD ARE WE that we bought the 4WD Jeep when we did!
Thanks to those of you who have supported our car fund.
(Donations are tax deductible in Australia)
WE REJOICE THAT WE CAN….THANKS TO YOU!
