Nepal Project: January 2010

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

New blankets

Another donation by one of the Latrobe students was some blankets for some of the families of the children who attend BFCC. He discovered that one young boy was sleeping on the concrete floor without a proper blanket. During winter the temperature falls below zero at night, so a warm blanket would have been most welcome.

The new jackets for Bright Future

A relative of one of the Latrobe students made a very generous donation which enabled us to have some windproof jackets made for the children at BFCC. They were very proud of their new jackets. It was also something which helped advertise what we are doing and it kept the children warm.

Poon Hill

The usual trek to Poon Hill one cold, dark morning for a beautiful sunrise. This is something not to be missed.

Latrobe University students at Chitwan

This year the visit by Latrobe University included a visit to Chitwan, which was a detour off the main road to Pokhara. It was a most enjoyable interlude.

Rotary Eyes Wide Open visit

In October, 2009, a group of nine people visited Nepal to help with various Rotary projects in Nepal. The group visited BFCC and talked with the students and donated some goods. The doctor in the group was able to offer advice about the health clinic.

New Bright Future Health Center

In December this year we opened a new clinic which is attached to BFCC. It is manned by a district nurse from 7-8am each day. She sees on average 8-9 patients with simple problems. More difficult cases are referred to the doctor who volunteers his time on Saturday mornings. The original idea of a baby health clinic is something which happens occasionally and perhaps will develop in the future. The baby scales and some of the other equipment was donated to the centre. I am hoping to get some advice about setting up early diagnosis for diabetes, which has become a real problem in Kopan.

Teresa Williams with her group in BFCC

Teresa Williams and her groups regularly visit Bright Future Community Center. The children love meeting the different people. As can be seen in the photo they listen to every word. It really makes a difference to meet tourists.

Visit by Rotary Eyes Wide Open

Latest changes

While I am in Australia, Netra Basnet continues to run Bright Future Community Center. He also oversees Dreamland Computer School.

Report about the developments in Nepal (2010)
This year I felt that real progress is being made with Bright Future Community Center. The local people are more supportive of what is being done and where possible we are encouraging them to have an input.
I had planned to have a baby health centre, but it is evolving as a clinic. The young girls who are teaching in BFCC are passing on knowledge they learn at school. Netra has enlisted the help of some local girls who are attending university and they are making a valuable contribution.
The visits by tourists - Teresa William's trekkers, Rotary Eyes Wide Open and passing tourists - are making a big difference as the children meet people from different cultures. Their spoken English has improved and they are more confident.

Developments at Bright Future Health Clinic (2013)

The teaching of children at the clinic has continued which is important for their general health.
The local Red Cross organized for Doctor Doig and his son (volunteers from Melbourne) to teach general health to the local health workers.

They also monitored the local people for Type 2 diabetes and discovered 25% were in danger of developing diabetes. It is now important to continue educating about the need for improved diet.

Cathy Ryan, a nurse from Horsham, also voluteeredto help with the survey and other health issues.

Aparna, a local health worker, has presented information about women's health problems and we are hoping to continue and expand this work.

The local branch of the Red Cross has run several classes about Earthquake Awareness.

The Sewing School has continued to teach the local ladies some sewing skills. In most cases they are happy to be able to use the machines to produce clothes for their families.

Some goods have been sold in the sewing school shop, but business is very slow.

Some generous donations have made it possible to improve the BFCC building and the clinic (Bright Future Health Clinic). The addition of hand basins at both buildings means we can teach about hand washing with proper demonstrations.

I am hoping to introduce some classes for exercises which help with rehabilitation and Type 2 diabetes. If there are volunteers out there who can help we would love to hear from you.