Tawal Ear / Eye Camp Dec 2011

Tawal Village

Tawal is in the hilly region south of the Ganesh Himal range, Gorka region of Nepal.
Autumn is a good time to be here, clear days and cold nights.
And just the six hour walk straight up from where the river cuts the road.
A new adventure with exciting results and new lessons learned, as we teamed up with an eye surgeon from Germany Dr Detlev Gueck.

We (HearingNEPAL Program, sponsored by NAFA – Nepal Australia Friendship association, Brisbane) have been twice before, and this time extended our services to neighboring regions.

Dr Detlev and Sangye

Dr. Detlev has been working with the Kopan monks in India and Nepal for many years. He assesses a person’s vision, treats infection and prescribes and fits pre-assembled glasses which he brings with him from Germany.

Sangye (Manager of the Medicine Buddha Health Clinic at Kopan monastery, suggested there would be benefits if we worked together, especially for those of all ages who walk through the mountains for long periods, to receive such services for the first time ever! The Tawal excursion sponsors, NAFA, have supported the Tawal region (schools, teachers, self help and electricity projects) for may years, including our previous two hearing clinics.

One thousand and seventy eight registrations for the primary ear clinic, they then went next door to the eye clinic. Many left with eye glasses and a hearing device, all left with clean ears and eye drops!

Keshab & Buddhist monk Dhargye

Keshab (our man from NAHOH, Nepal) and Dhargye and Khenrap, (monks from Kopan) cleaned ears, screened ears, dosed ears as they do routinely now, for six long days.

Through Keshab we are able to refer those requiring surgery to the next “ear camp” in Kathmandu. NAFA will assist some of the people with travel and accommodation expenses.

Sunita, Tawal health worker assists

Dr Detlev worked tirelessly with Tsundu and Sangye from Kopan, and Eb Mol, Volunteer extraordinaire from NAFA. The NAFA supported Tawal health clinic ladies kept the patients coming (and going).

Tsunda records patient details

Sadly, Dr Detlev reported a higher incidence of cataracts than he had previously experienced in his camps in Asia and India. This is largely due to the smoke in the homes, from the wood fires / stoves used. Sangye said they (he and the Dr.) had instigated training for a local from a previous camp to be trained in constructing a more efficient stove, with good success. Any sponsors for a repeat performance here???

Sue and I then found ourselves in the Tilganga Eye Hospital in Kathmandu, seeking a surgical path for suitable candidates. They have said they will plan a screening camp in the area in future. We will follow that up with enthusiasm.

“I can’t pay for the aid, but I can sing you a song!”

Back on the rehabilitation trail… we usually ask for a small contribution toward the hearing aid or Maxi, from 3 to 15 dollars. No money? Then as long as they demonstrate an ability and willingness to use and care for the aid, then of course that’s OK too.

And so we gathered outside for the serenade, mountain man style. I went and interrupted Sue, then the NAFA / local conference, and then many of the students from the school below gathered. Each time he began again. He was so happy, he could hear his voice. We felt yet another reason for coming! Bless him, for the joy he shared.

Maxi ALDs sponsored by Word of Mouth, our sincere gratitude Andrew. Our equipment is lovingly maintained by Doug & Bozzy at GN Otometrics.

HearingNEPAL – Between the Camps

Rod Setterlund & Mach Bhai

NAFA is a continuing supporter of Nepal based NAHOH. Here, Rod Setterlund (NAFA President) presents Mach Bhai – President of NAHOH with a Dremel kit for modifying ear moulds.

Note the NAHOH office – rent sponsored also by NAFA- has a window at its new address in Kirtipur, Kathmandu valley, NEPAL.