Writing from Kathmandu where have recently returned from a week’s work in the hills of Sindupalchok province where, along with my fellow Nepalese medics and nurses, we organised two medical camps and one health post medicine distribution in the Thangpaldlop District.
Approximately 250 men, women and children were treated in the two main camps, with everything from gastric problems, chest infections, skin diseases and various injuries and ailments. Suffice to say it was a most rewarding and important week.
Whilst new medical centres are gradually being built by the Red Cross and other agencies, there is a shortage of medicines in many and hence why our camps were so inundated with villagers. Various equipment, including digital BP monitors. thermometers and suturing sets, are also in short supply and we will be purchasing these and further medicines over the coming weeks.
The project now has the formal backing and sponsorship of Nepal based Puspatara Kedia Foundation, the CSR arm of the Kedia Organisation together with my long standing NGO partners in Nepal, Mission Himalaya, who provided all the logistics for the camps. My sincerest thanks to them all.
As I have stated and written on various occasions, I have long expressed both concerns and criticisms of the charity and aid industry, along with some hesitations on the true motivations and integrity behind certain fundraising. That industry has never been under greater scrutiny thus I would like to re-state some integrity on this project. Firstly, I don’t personally try to mix expeditions with causes – this project is my own small work for a country and people that are dear to my heart, allows me to practice my medicine / Paramedic skills and use my Nepalese for a valuable purpose. This, along with my sustainability work, is my small bit for the world. My people programmes are for people. My expeditions are for myself. And secondly, just to state that aside from some small personal expenses, all sponsorships and moneys go direct to the project, with full accounts being kept by Mission Himalaya.
Indeed, the main reason for even posting this post is to show those who have supported my project from April 2015, that MIRA Himalaya is both growing and providing effective and important work in Nepal. How large the project grows will reveal itself in due course.