newsletter nepal giugno 2010
DESCRIPTION
racconti, progetti, sorrisi da KathmanduTRANSCRIPT
Pages 2‐4 Editor’s note
Page 4 The Prayer Flag TraditionPages 5‐6 My Nepali Experience by Leonie MaddiganPages 7‐8 Angela and Kate’s Medical ExperiencesPages 9‐10 Outreach in TansenPage 11 Familiar Faces..an email from previous volunteer Jakob Grube Masden Pages 12‐13 Lara Finbow: Ponseti TechniquePages 14 Poems from LDCPage 15 What to do in Kathmandu? JunePages 16 Donations Pages 17‐19 Volunteer CornerPage 20 Staff Contact Details, Top Tips for Nepal & Current Issues
The Official Newsletter of Projects Abroad Nepal June 2010 Issue no. 33
Contents…
Hello everyone, At the beginning of the month, we had a week’s worth of NEPAL BANDH. It was a very, very quiet week with no shops, no schools and absolutely no traffic! It’s the quietest any of us had ever seen Kathmandu before, and the first few days were a welcome change to the rushing traffic and constant beeping of horns! But, after the first 2 days, we had all had enough of it, and found alternative things to do during the strike to make use of the time. A number of the teaching volunteers began work at four children’s homes in Patan as their schools were closed during the strike. They all had a great time getting to know the children who everyone falls in love with! They were able to set up their own teaching programme at the homes, which took a lot of work and organisation, so thanks to all who contributed to this! I’m sure this was the highlight of the children’s strike! In May, we welcomed Shanika back to Nepal. Shanika previously worked in Nepal for 5 years with Projects Abroad! Needless to say there were a lot of people who were happy to see her back!
Hi all,I’m Shanika, one of the Assistant Managers working out in Nepal this summer. I have previously worked for Projects Abroad Nepal for just over 5 years but left last year to start a degree in Social Work. I just couldn't stay away though! It is sooo good to be back again. Look forward to meeting you xx
The first “normal” weekend in Nepal brought great celebrations all around the volunteers, who were able to go on the scheduled Projects Abroad trip to the Last Resort. They all had a great time hurling themselves off bridges and climbing down steep canyons and waterfalls. After some being stuck in Kathmandu for a full 2 weeks, the relaxation and the beautiful scenery at the Last Resort was just what was needed!
On the third weekend in May, we held a Gynaecology Outreach Clinic. During the day, women attended the Dolahiti Health Clinic, where we had done our cleaning outreach 2 months before. They registered and were able to have a completely free health check‐up, thanks to funding from Projects Abroad There were 4 Nepali doctors, health assistants, nurses and student nurses who worked hard all day to give check‐ups and treatment to over 70 women. A group of 14 of our medical volunteers joined the doctors for the day and were educated about all different aspects of the assessments that were performed. All volunteers also got the opportunity to do the physical examination and take smear tests under the guidance and supervision of the doctors. All the women who attended also got the opportunity to attend a physiotherapy session at the centre where they were given advice and exercises to help with their various conditions. It was a really successful day, and the volunteers who attended went away with a vast amount of knowledge about the pelvic floor!
One strange request led to a new experience for me here in Nepal; When the volunteer, Angela York, arrived around the middle of May, one of the first things she asked me was “Do you know where the fire station is?” I answered an honest “no, I have absolutely no idea”. But at the end of her action packed 2 weeks here in Nepal, Angela, myself and a couple of other volunteers went in search of the fire station! Angela has a part time job as a fire fighter at home in the States, so wanted to see how different things were here. We
managed to sweet talk the firemen into letting us in and having a look round the station and trying on the kit. Was definitely something different! Angela loved it, and the Nepali fire fighters were very amused to see someone so enthusiastic about fire engines. We also came across a random goat
wandering round the station. When I asked its name, one of the guys said it was “Party Goat”, unfortunately it wasn’t their cute little mascot, it was there for the party the following night! Buddha’s birthday was on Thursday, 27th May. Some of the volunteers headed over to Bouddha to see the celebrations there. Masses and masses of people from all over Nepal, and of all ages, circling the Stupa at Bouddhanath, praying and lighting butter lamps; Very beautiful, and definitely something worth seeing. On the last weekend in May, we had a mountain biking trip. We started off in Thamel, then out of the city to Pashupathi, Gorkana, then the challenging climb up to Buddhanilkantha where we sat in the forest and had lunch. Then it was downhill for most of the rest of the ride. As a result of the heavy rainfall the previous night, at one point on the ride, the track disappeared and was replaced by a river! Some
of us who were a little more daring/stupid walked along a thin pipe that stood above the water, and by some miracle managed to stay dry. Those more sensible, waded through the river that was knee deep, carrying the bikes with them. Just goes to show, you never know what you will come across in Nepal. Angie did a terrific dive off her bike while trying to multitask and take a drink at the same time as avoiding the crevices in the track left by the rainfall running down the hill. Luckily the landing was sand. The ride was definitely a challenge to everyone, but there was a great feeling of achievement when we reached the highest point and were able to look out over the Kathmandu valley and see how far we had come. A photo album for this bike trip can be found on the Projects Abroad Nepal Blog at: http://www.mytripblog.org/pg/photos/album/6527/mountain‐biking/ So, that’s about everything from us for now! Happy volunteering everyone and those of you who have left already...keep in touch and tell us all about what exciting things you are doing all over the world to make a difference now!
Projects Abroad Team, Nepal
Life is crazy. Living back home in our lovely first world countries while we work, study and play is a privilege most of us, including myself, take for granted. Here in Australia I drive my car down well maintained roads, not crowded with men riding bicycles carrying cages of chickens, as I head to work every morning. I sit down at my computer with really fast internet access with a chai latte and do my job with the best resources available, including power 24/7. I jump in the clean, salty ocean water to go swimming on my lunch breaks and don’t even think about who’s been using this water to do anything else except swim because everybody has washing machines at home with lots of water for washing. I go to the tap and just put water in to drink. I go to the supermarket and can afford to buy whatever it is I feel like for dinner. Life is good. Then you can step outside that little bubble of comfort and see how other people live.... getting off that plane in Kathmandu was the best culture shock I’ve ever had. I had a very short but intense stay in Nepal in March/April this year. My crazy life allowed me less than one month to explore all Nepal has to offer which fortunately included 2 weeks of volunteer work and a little trek in the Annapurna range for me. It was not enough! I want more chickens on bicycles! I want more daal bhaat! I want more hugs and handshakes! I want to eat with my hands
back here in Aus! I want more black Nepali tea with so much sugar I swear I need to go to the dentist! But above all, I want more Nepali kindness and hospitality that is so unlike anything else I’ve ever experienced. I had the honour of going to J House and K House, a boys and girls children’s home in Kathmandu, as a Care Project for Projects Abroad. I have never done anything more worthwhile in my whole life.
From the moment I got there I felt like I was needed, and as I spent more and more time there, I realised how appreciated I was as well. I am not a teacher or a nurse or a counsellor or anything special. I am just a girl who cares. I have no special skills or amazing qualifications. But I can smile and I can hug and I can laugh and that’s what these kids need. Don’t we all? And the truth is, I got a million times more from them than anything I could have given in return. We all need love... and these kids have a capacity to give it so unconditionally, despite the adverse backgrounds so many of them have had, that it puts my western needs and wants to shame. Potato sack races, duck duck goose and ‘who stole the cookie from the cookie jar’ were the best fun ever, and I will always treasure the smiles and cuddles I received from little children who have nothing yet give everything. The best thing I learnt from this whole experience is that it’s not what you have, it’s how much love you can give that makes you happy. These kids and the people that work with them are inspiring; the personal growth I gained was invaluable. One little example I’d like to share is that of a little girl of about 9, Tshring, who one day climbed onto my lap and examined the locket I was wearing. “Who is inside?” she asked. I told her it was a picture of my mother. She asked me “Where is your mother?” and I told her that my mummy was up in heaven now. This little girl looked at me with sad eyes that started shining with tears and said, “I’m sorry I said that and reminded you.” This to me, from a girl living in an orphanage. The other best ever lesson I have learnt from my visit to Nepal is that even though I am not rich, or famous, or in contact with any politicians (although I have to say I did once see the Prime Minister drive past in a car, does that count?), I can make a difference to these beautiful people’s lives. I made a difference just showing up to J House and K House in Kathmandu with nothing but my smile. And I can make a difference from back home. Fundraising or sponsorship in the smallest amount makes a difference to programs, but that’s not all I can do. I can tell other people about my experience and encourage them to give what they can. I can raise awareness. I can use my English skills to write. I can save up to go back and do it all again! To anybody thinking about embarking on such an experience I cannot encourage you enough, it will change your life forever. A little poem I received on a handmade card when I left sums it up for me perfectly: Tea is hot, life is short, but I love you so much – Ashi, 8 years old.
- Leonie Maddigan, Australia
Hi I am Kate (Canada) and I am Angie (United States). This is our first time in Nepal. Our project is volunteering at the International Friendship Children's Hospital (IFCH). The IFCH is a brand new paediatric hospital. Dr. Shakya, our supervising doctor, started the hospital only one and a half years ago. In that time he has managed to obtain lots of different medical equipment to help the hospital. This hospital is equipped with an ER, OR, ICU, special ward, general ward and charity ward. Dr. Shakya believes that all children deserve the same level of care, regardless of whether the family has the money to pay for the procedures. He has set up a charity fund to help all children get the care they need.
During our placement, we follow Dr. Shakya around and help diagnose those who come into the OPD (out‐patient department). To confirm the diagnosis, tests are run, including x‐rays, blood work, and ultrasounds. All of the doctors explain what we are viewing and what the results of the tests mean to each patient. We have been able to observe and assist with dressing changes, blood work, IV access and ear irrigation. We were also able to scrub in on surgeries. We also watched a procedure that is only
completed here at the IFCH. Dr. Shakya invented a machine that can fix intussusceptions without need for major surgery. This new procedure is faster, easier and cheaper than surgery, and also painless for the patient. It is completed with the use of an ultrasound. At one point we had a one day old, one kilogram baby come into the ER. He was so little that his fingers were smaller than our fingernails. It was interesting to observe and assist with the process of admittance to the ICU for a critically ill baby. Be warned, Dr. Shakya may ask you to help him proof read a few letters to help him plan for fundraisers and brochures, but it is a nice way to help out the hospital. During our placement, we were also able to participate in a gynaecology outreach. This was a free outreach, where women in Patan could come
and have a PAP smear and pelvic exam. There were four doctors who were running the clinic. They explained everything to the volunteers who participated. We were able to actually perform the assessments and pelvic exams after watching the doctors perform the procedure. The doctors would explain what we were seeing. Ruth and Becky also led a Physiotherapy clinic. The women were taught exercises to either help strengthen their pelvic floor muscles or with other problem areas like back and abdominal pain.
Angela York, USA & Kate May, Canada
To help and teach women from so varied backgrounds and of different ages gave us a great opportunity to witness Nepal from a local female’s point of view. Plus my knowledge of the pelvic floor is now immense! Genevieve Cox, England
It was an amazing, interesting experience and a lot more hands on than I was initially expecting. We all went in to watch four doctors perform pap smears and uteric examinations on the women who came for the clinic. In this invasive test, I was just surprised that the women were comfortable with us watching, but under the doctors’ consent, we were even allowed to perform the tests ourselves which was so interesting. And when we got tired of looking at cervixes, we could go upstairs and learn pelvic floor exercises! Sarah Knox, England
I learnt more in one day, about gynaecology than in the whole time I’ve been working here. It was very interesting!!! Alexandra Muster, Holland
The doctors were brilliant at explaining everything that they (and we) were doing which made it a really fascinating experience. Nicola Kelly, England
The camp was really successful. I liked that we were able to do some of the exams! The doctors were good with explaining things. Rikke Olesen, Danemark
Very nice doctors –interested in us, they explained what they were doing. We could do things on our own, be close to locals, talk about their problems. Really good lunch! That was an interesting day! Leah‐Isabell Blaumer, Germany
Today was really educational, and enabled us to gain an insight into Nepali Culture. We were given the opportunity for some hands on medical work, which was very valuable and unique. Asim Khan, England
I learnt a lot about gynaecology. Very interesting. Pelvic floor exercises?... Ryan Fleming, USA
A great learning opportunity. Another chance to learn something new and interesting. Gary Dobko, Canada
I had a great day. It was a nice opportunity to practice. Sophia Kremer, Germany, Fleur Stoevelaar, Holland & Jens Laursen, Danemark
We came to Nepal as volunteers having both worked as qualified Physiotherapists in the UK for approximately 2 years post grad. During our time at SGCP we were asked to visit Tansen, Palpa by Suresh to assist and support the new home visitor and provide feedback with regards to the Outreach Programme in the area. After a 10 hour bus journey from the
Gongabu Bus Park in Kathmandu we arrived in Tansen and were greeted by Krishnor the home visitor. We were then taken to our host family where we would be for the duration of our stay. Accommodation: The house we were staying in was situated on the top of one of the many hills in Tansen. It was a quaint, little house with very low ceilings which was somewhat challenging at times! We were living with a very kind and friendly couple and their sister who were extremely accommodating and made us feel at home from the start. Although their English was quite limited we were still able to communicate effectively and have fun with the family. The ground floor of the house had a small workshop where the family made bags and purses out of Dhaka (local cotton material which originates from the region). The food was amazing and meal times were definitely something to look forward to. We were introduced to the region’s speciality dish called Chukukauni which is made from local milk curd and potatoes. We also perfected our Momo making skills with the family allowing us to get involved at meal times.
Placement: Work in Tansen involved visiting children who had been diagnosed with cerebral palsy and their families in the local community. This often meant that we had to trek to remote homes in the surrounding valleys, sometimes taking a couple of hours or so to get there. A good level of fitness was certainly beneficial due to the extremely hilly landscape. A visit involved carrying out a thorough assessment of each child, their family and the surrounding environment. Assessment had to take a holistic approach taking into consideration all aspects of the child’s life in order to provide an achievable treatment plan and suitable goals. Part of the assessment involved confirming the original diagnosis or identifying an alternative diagnosis such as Down Syndrome or learning difficulties. In Nepal Cerebral Palsy is often used as an umbrella term
when the diagnosis is uncertain.
Treatment was mainly through play using the basic facilities that were available to us as equipment was extremely limited or non‐existent. Lateral thinking was important as well as being adaptable as children can get bored very easily therefore it is good to keep things fun and entertaining to hold the child’s attention. Case Example: We were lucky enough to meet some fantastic children on our visits. One that stood out for us was a child called Satish. Satish lived in the bottom of a valley and it took about 1 hour 30 minutes trek down a very steep hill to get to him. The house was basic, made of mud and all family members lived there including Grandma and Auntie. Satish had been referred to the service after his family had taken him to hospital with concerns about his development. A full subjective history was hard to obtain due to the language difficulties but we were able to get by with the help of the home visitor. Krishnor himself spoke little English and due to Nepali culture it was often hard to distinguish whether he understood or not. In Nepal not wanting to disappoint is a cultural trait therefore Krishnor would bob his head in agreement even when he did not understand. This was a little frustrating at times. Satish was diagnosed with Diplegic Cerebral Palsy and his main problems included tight adductors, tight hamstrings and tight Tendo Achilles to name a few. His contractures were dynamic and therefore changeable however this meant he was at risk of developing static contractures so our treatment plan included lots of stretching. Satish had the classic toe‐walker gait pattern so we focused on lots of gait education and gave advice to the family on posture and positions to avoid that may be detrimental. To help with his gait we were able to utilise the resources available to us and practice walking outside the house with the bamboo fence. Due to the environment and situation of the house it would not have been appropriate to suggest any kind of walking aid as Satish would simply not have been able to use it. We also looked at toileting facilities and offered ideas as to how to improve them to aid his development and allow him to be as independent as possible. His mother explained he was able to feed himself and he had no speech and language problems. The family appeared to have accepted the diagnosis and were managing to adapt to the situation very well. Whilst on the visit it began to rain extremely heavily making our trek back extremely treacherous. We therefore had to wait for the rain to stop which took a considerable amount of time! Whilst we waited the family provided us with food and water and were so kind and hospitable even though they had little themselves. This kindness is something we will definitely remember from our time in Nepal.
We both thoroughly enjoyed our time in Palpa and would highly recommend other qualified volunteers to take up the challenge as it’s an invaluable experience and one we will never forget.
‐ Emma Streets and Catherine Slater (BSc Hons Physiotherapy, mCSP, HPCR), UK
It was a lovely surprise in May to receive an e-mail from a previous volunteer, Jakob Grube Masden!
Well, we hope you manage to save up enough to come to visit Nepal! No doubt there will be a lot of people who will be happy to see you, after all the time you spent with the children from Arniko school, and huge thanks you will receive all around for the kind donations you left behind at the end of your last visit. It was great to hear from you, keep in touch! X
Hi, Projects Abroad has encouraged us ex-volunteers to let you know what we are doing now, and I thought I'd oblige you. I am working full time in a kindergarten here in Roskilde, Denmark, now, and looking for more work, because I am saving up money for my education in America. I am going to New York on Saturday for a 6 day trip, to check out the film school there that I'd like to attend. It's expensive though. Also, I would like to return to Nepal some time later this year, so as you can hear there are plenty of things to save up money for!!! I put in two pictures from the kindergarten with me and some of the kids. I took them to send to some of the friends I made in the Arniko school. Unfortunately that is not going so well, I have heard, and it's very sad to be bystander to the troubles in Nepal thousands of miles away via e-mail. But what are you gonna do. Well, it's always a delight to read the newsletter and keep updated with your work in Nepal, so thanks and keep sending them!
Be safe, and many regards, Jakob Grube Madsen, Roskilde, Denmark (volunteer Sep. 1st - Nov. 30 2009)
I am a band 6 paediatric physiotherapist. Last year I went to Manchester to attend a Ponseti training day for the management of club foot. The course was really good but more importantly it was here I first heard about the possibilities of using these skills to help support therapists in the developing world. For the rest of the year I worked alongside my senior plastering a small number of babies using the Ponseti technique. I really enjoyed the challenge and practical nature of treating club foot using Ponseti and waited patiently for new referrals to come in. At the end of the year I had successfully treated 6 children but I desperately wanted the chance to continue to develop my plastering skills further. Being good at the technique requires confidence not only in applying the plaster itself but in understanding what is going on underneath the plaster. I needed more practice. I sat down to think about exactly how I could get this opportunity and remembered what I had heard in Manchester. I decided to volunteer with Projects Abroad. In January 2010 I arrived in Banepa, Nepal at the Hospital and Rehabilitation Centre for Disabled Children (HRDC). The HRDC is a tertiary care hospital supported by a non‐governmental organization, the Friends of the Disabled. It is the only hospital in the country providing treatment for children with club foot and as a result many children travel from all parts of the country to be seen, often a journey which will take several days. At the HRDC I got exactly the opportunity I was looking for. I spent 2 months working alongside local physiotherapists applying Ponseti casts on up to 20 children a day. The steady stream arriving each day formed an orderly queue and waited patiently to be
seen. It was the perfect chance to practice applying the plaster and get some tips from therapists who had been using the technique for years. Many of the team had attended Ponseti training similar to that I had back in Manchester and were keen to swap advice. Although some of the tools and materials were a challenge, being a little more basic than those I was used to, the technique and skills needed are absolutely the same.
Particularly shocking was the number of children living in Nepal with neglected club foot. Back at home the oldest child we had cast was 6 months yet in Nepal many of the children I saw were over 6 years! It took a lot more plaster and a lot more effort, still amazingly, many of these children achieved a positive result with the Ponseti technique and seeing the pleasure on the faces of these children and their parents after taking off the many, many, layers of plaster needed made all the hard work worthwhile!
I am now back in the UK and although I am not currently working in a job which involves using the Ponseti technique, the experience I have gained could prove invaluable in helping me to do so in the future. Never will I forget the excitement of the physiotherapy team when I turned up on my first day at the HRDC and I told them I was Ponseti trained and here to help.
The gratitude from the staff and the children and their families was immense yet I couldn’t help feeling it was I who should be grateful to them for allowing me to have the opportunity to develop my clinical skills in a way that is simply unavailable to me back home in the UK.
‐ Lara Finbow, UK
Poems from LDC
Mr Rajesh is the director of one of our volunteer placements in Jorpati called Bouddha. Him and his wife founded the centre ____ years ago, and they now have a total of 33 students at the centre. One of our recent volunteers, Nikki from Holland, descovered a hidden talent of Mr Rajesh’s in poem writing! He has been writing poems for 25 years, and sometimes him and his wife even broadcast on the local radio. So, he gave us some of his work, and here it is for you to read!
Mentally Disabled My Nation
Without fault Guiltless
Allegation – counter allegation Mentally Disabled by nation
Fasting of silence! Dumb and lame as it is
Thereafter, Likely to become blind my nation
~ 30th May 2009
Life of Blood Relation
What is blood? It’s like the flood of tears
Flowing out of ridges of eyes.
What is relation? It’s sky and earth
Like the husband and wife.
What is life? It’s like a faded leaf
Fallen in barren winter.
~ 4th June 2009
Funeral Procession of the War
Just only yesterday Born in the caves Hounds of jackals Was limited within the jungle periphery Since its childhood
Merely, The training of murder and violence
Kidnapping, Rape, Forceful collection of donation, Robbery, Then
The funeral procession of the war.
~ 5th April 2010
The Dream
Skeletons that are Dreaming
After its own death; Dying frozen
Those quarterly hours, Simply,
It’s merely a dream! Buried again after destruction,
That lifeless corpse, Now remained
Merely ruins alone.
~ 18th June 2009
You are the Spring
You are the spring I could never ever interpret!
The pages of history
I could never ever study!
Transparently visible as the sky Is your beautiful face.
Fidget like the moon
I could never ever forget
I feel like I could Never ever depart despite my want.
~ 6th April 2010
WHAT TO DO IN KATHMANDU?
Friday 11th – Sunday 13th June
Relaxing by the lake in Pokhara
Saturday 19th – Sunday 20th June
Bungee Jumping and Canyoning at the Last
Resort
Friday 4th – Sunday 6th June
Chitwan National Park
Sunday 27th June Orthopaedic Talk
If you have a special interest in an activity then get in contact with Nicola and we can try to organise a group trip to take the pressure off you!
Tuesday 29th June Rice Planting to celebrate Asar
Pondra – the start of the monsoon
Saturday 12th – Sunday 13th June
White water rafting on the Trishuli River
A big thank you to everyone who has given a donation this month. No matter how big or small, everything you give is so much appreciated here in Nepal.
Let me introduce…Belinda Walder, one of our volunteers who volunteered at Sahara Care Home in Nepal throughout April. While working at Sahar, Belinda became good friends with a lady called Pushpa who was admitted to the home, 5 months ago, for physiotherapy rehabilitation after suffering a spinal injury. Pushpa has now completed the majority of her physiotherapy treatment programme with
around 2‐3 months left to go. She has improved dramatically since her admission, and is now able to walk short distances with the aid of a frame. Unfortunately, her family has now run out of money, which would normally mean that Pushpa would be discharged from her rehabilitation, despite not completing her treatment as they cannot afford her medical bills. However, thanks to Belinda’s kind donation of $1000 AU, to Pushpa and her family, she will now be able to stay at Sahara Care Home to complete her rehabilitation and reach her full potential. Big thanks to Belinda from all the Projects Abroad team here in Nepal. Your kind support has made such a difference to Pushpa and her family!
Right: Picture of Belinda with Pushpa and her daughter Kenseia
Volunteers in Nepal – June 2010 Sophia Kremer Stupa Hospital Daniel Schaefer LDC
Jens Lausen Stpua Hospital Martin Kirk LDC
Gary Dobko Stupa Hospital Jennifer Leigh LDC
Ian Fortune Roberts Stupa Hospital Nicola Forbes LDC
Daniel Owen Stupa Hospital Rachel Forbes LDC
Anna Piggott MSPN Amelie Marsan LDC
Emma Kristiansson MSPN Josephine Franks Arniko
Sarah Knox MSPN Birgit Ertl Arniko
Sarah Verdeil MSPN Julian Sebag‐Montefiore Arniko
Chris Hawkins MSPN Mary‐Elizabeth Alka
Ryan Flemming MSPN Adam Stich Alka
Jerene Aldinger MSPN Idonna Cook Alka
Amilcare Caselli Snowlands Alexandria Larson Alka
Genevieve Cox Snowlands Alex Suleiman Alka
Kathryn Humphries B&B Mathilde Genoud Alka
Benny Yau NRH Marie‐Charlotte Ravaz Alka
Linda Jansson Snowlands Carlene Ramel Alka
Judith Work Snowlands Mark Kelly CP Centre
Helene Anne Brun Snowlands Danny Horgan CP Centre
Adrian Khan Snowlands Chiel Schmal CP Centre
Elizabeth Hernendez Snowlands Grace Hill CP Centre
Garbiele Grosso Snowlands Julia Reich Bhaktapur CBR
Mark Kelly HRDC Justin Chapel Bhaktapur CBR
AsimKhan HRDC Helen Mercer Bhaktapur CBR
Veronica Thompson HRDC Allanagh Hart Bhaktapur CBR
Hermes Huang HRDC
Julya Graham HRDC Samuel Barrett Iwamura Hospital
Jasmine Sawyer HRDC Yamilette Ronda‐Velez Patan CBR
Kasey Hosteler DMD Marie‐Lou Menetrier Patan CBR
Nicola Kelly NOH Charles Edouard Bizzare Medical 2 weeks
Lucy Yu NOH Naina Rao Medical 2 weeks
Anna Hogrebe NOH Susan Yu Medical 2 weeks
Sebastian Kuegler NOH Bonan Xu Medical 2 weeks
Zachary Clarkson Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital
Lola Deranzier Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital
Andrea Munier Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital
Pauline Laure Martin Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital
Lea‐Isabell Blaumer Friendship Children’s Hospital
Kate Kay Friendship Children’s Hospital
Miriam Lehman Friendship Children’s Hospital
Eva Salveridou Friendship Children’s Hospital
Volunteers coming in July...
Michael Franicevic 01/07/2010 Matthew Burnett‐Stuart 01/07/2010 Erwin Moses 01/07/2010 Justine Courtot 01/07/2010 Pia Niederau 01/07/2010 Rachel Parker 01/07/2010 Anne Muller 01/07/2010 Carlotte Bowman 02/07/2010 Helle Pedersen 03/07/2010 Emily Vandamme 03/07/2010 Lauren Giblin 03/07/2010 Benoit Rosier 04/07/2010 Lucrezio Ciotti 04/07/2010 Jolien Hensums 04/07/2010 Helga Joosten 04/07/2010 Luke Hart 04/07/2010 Josefine Cortsen 06/07/2010 Nicholas Davis 07/07/2010 Paul Hayllar 07/07/2010 Rosalie Salemink 08/07/2010 Marianne Messelink 08/07/2010 Symon Steven‐Guille 09/07/2010 Johanna Fontanini 09/07/2010 Sophia Weidler 09/07/2010 Megan Cote 09/07/2010 Kate Fleming 10/07/2010 Lisa Smith 10/07/2010 Stine Larsen 11/07/2010 Mthilde Vandenbossche 12/07/2010 Caitlin Billyard 13/07/2010 Rachel Gifford 13/07/2010 Mareike Aichholzer 13/07/2010 Hannah Low 14/07/2010 Emma Carroll 14/07/2010 Francesca Bessey 15/07/2010 Elisa Dickey 15/07/2010 Vandan Shah 18/07/2010 Dmitrii Koval 18/07/2010 Brooke Acton 18/07/2010 Oliver Hudson 18/07/2010
Jennifer Keogh 18/07/2010 Jade Wilkinson 18/07/2010
Geri Kemper 21/07/2010 Helen Rhodes 21/07/2010
Katherine Missing 24/07/2010 Biancamaria Rigotti 25/07/2010
Shireen Ravesteyn 25/07/2010 Francoise Toussaint 27/07/2010
Taylor Capretz 29/07/2010 Jamie Morikawa 29/07/2010
Samantha Lynch 30/07/2010
In May, we said goodbye to... Maya Christensen Rhinja Rutes Sabine van Leeuwen
Max Oston Ray Kim Katherine Barker
Sara Petre Roel Wilbers Joanne Lee
Melanie Gabanna Rose O’Duffy Gwion Daniel
Fiona Perry Irene van Vuure Michael Milano
Rikke Olesen Fleur Stoevelaar Marlene Berliat
Nathan Jardine Linda Wennekers Chloe Perret
Emma Streets Catherine Slater Miki Mizoguchi
Megan Brown Katie Hunter Kieh Christopherson
Dona‐Rita Nassour
Peter Saikali
Anthony Joe Nassour
Angela York
Aisling Russell
Helen Mercer
Please guys, don’t forget that Nepal is still very much a developing country.
Most places in Kathmandu, you should not assume that you can pay for purchases with credit/debit cards – even at government facilities such as the post office.
If you require to extend your visa at the Immigration office, please note that it will cost US$2 per extra day that you decide to stay BUT remember the total amount will
need to be paid in Nepalese rupees! Therefore, make sure you always have enough cash to cover the transaction. You also need to make allowances for if the ATM you intend to use is out of order. (this
can happen quite frequently)
Also, when travelling away at the weekends; don’t always expect the places you visit to have ATMs and/or other facilities for exchanging money.
As most of you know, at the moment it is more important than ever to be aware of the political situation, especially before making any plans to travel away at the weekends. Reading the embassy websites if the best way to keep yourself up‐to‐date with what is happening in the country. Please remember to inform a member of staff of your plans before leaving.
Staff Contact Details
Sajani Amatya – Country Director 09851030018 Ruth Malthouse – Physio Co‐ordinator 09808063200 Rajani Rajbhandari – Assistant Manager 09841254713 Nicola Whatley – Assistant Manager 09808164046 Shanika Bennett – Assistant Manager 09803051822 Navin Amatya – Desk Officer 09851090405 Huybert van Griethuijsen – Desk Officer 09808221236
Please don’t hesitate to call one of us if you have a problem!