Give a kid a hug...

This week was health camp for all the kids currently living in homes associated with Hope for Himalayan Kids (HFHK). A Dutch International NGO called Medical Checks for Children have been visiting yearly for the last three years. The children form Sahara Children’s home, New Ray of Life Children’s Centre and from the family group (some children who have already been through the deinstitutionalisation process and have been reintegrated with a family Mother) were present.

(Welcoming the guests with ticka and poinsettia.)

 All together there were about 40 children who experienced physical developmental progress checks, basic health check ups and basic medication and/or vitamin and mineral prescription. Common findings included anemia and other mineral deficiencies, colds, flu and respiratory infections, as well as some skin and hair issues resulting from a lack of protein. Nearly all the children will now be taking some vitamin and mineral supplements. There is a strong correlation between stunted or below average development physically, socially and psychologically in children who are institutionalized, especially from a young age.

The findings from health camp showed signs of below average physical development in some children and a few were found to be stunted in their physical development.

These results are significant for the work we are doing in HFHK. They indicate that even with improved standards and credible NGO influence it is not in the child’s best interest to be institutionalized. These are actually fantastic results in comparison with other children’s centers (orphanages). Here are 40 children who are examples living in a couple of the best orphanages in the country in regards to standards, thanks to the work of HFHK. So if these are the health results of the children who are receiving a high level of care in the Napali context then you can begin to envisage the health and development of children who are housed in the other centers which may not meet the same standards of care.

This reinforces the need to deinstitutionalise as quickly and as carefully as possible. Doing so in a manner to develop best practice and overcome barriers of funding, lack of professional personal (psychiatrists, social workers, OTs etc) and the slow process of legislative change. The harsh reality I am struggling to reconcile is that we sit and watch children suffer from preventable illness and below average development unnecessarily. Children with special needs presents a whole new level of challenges for care.

For example, one of the young boys in one of our homes is about 7 (We shall call him Vickram for this blog .) Vikram presents with mild autistic behaviors and learning difficulties. He is such a beautiful boy but gets in trouble a lot because he seeks his attention though socially inappropriate behavior and general naughtiness (I know I’m not meant to have any but he’s probably my favorite!). While there is no way of getting any proper diagnosis in the near future, there is really not much point as he would not get the assistance to allow him to lead a functioning independent life regardless. He does not attend a normal school like the other children, and if he was in a developed country he would merely need an integration aid, and probably not for very long. As it stands at the moment his future is one of institutional care dependant on others for the rest of his life. But for the grace of God and the optimistically relentless care of the people associated with HFHK, hopefully this will not happen for him. As mentioned there are many barriers to overcome in the next few years to see Vickram and all the other children head in the direction of their potential.

To watch the case managers, office staff, house mothers, volunteers and directors working on these projects is so humbling, they are amazing people. They do it because there is a need. There is endless need here, but somehow they don’t get put off by this fact, they are focused. They are keeping their eyes fixed on creating sustainable macro change in one area of need without getting overwhelmed by the plethora of complicated issues in this country. Whether Nepal or Australia, this is a difficult concept to reconcile in one’s mind and be moved to action. Each day I ask myself how my colleagues are persisting with unwavering focus to roll out the process of deinstitutionalisation in Nepal, without getting deterred by the many other areas of poverty, corruption and human rights issues going on all around them.

Then I go and have a game of cricket with Vikram and the other children and am reminded why it is not at all hard to stay focused on the bigger picture.

Until next time…Give a kid a hug (preferably one you know…and knows you.)

If we could all be a little like Bob….

Before starting work for Hope for Himalayan Kids two weeks ago I did my one “touristy” activity I had been waiting 5 years to experience (since the last time I was in Pokhara). It was worth the wait…

(My new friend Bob- the egyptian vulture.)

Not only is the horizon in Pokhara one of the best panoramic views in the world with the Annapurnna ranges on my doorstep, but the skies are also graced with the presence of many birds of prey. Eagles, hawks, kites and vultures with their giant wingspans, hover and glide above in the trade winds of the valley.

“ParaHawking” combines paragliding and falconry which created an experience that I will never forget. Bob is the Egyptian Vulture that I had the privilege of flying with. (His friend Kevin-the white vulture in the photos was flying with my friend.)

(Kevin, Bob's mate)

Once in the air with my tandem pilot, Bob is released from the land to show off his skills. Two whistles from my pilot lets Bob know that he can come and perch. With my leather gloved hand I stretch my arm out and Bob comes and receives some buffalo meat I have place in the glove from a fanny pack I have at my waist.

The first time I could hear Bob coming I almost wet myself with excitement. He gently landed his set of two inch talons on my wrist, sitting at least a foot and a half tall. He pecks away at his delicious Buffalo goodness and takes off with confident independence and an assertiveness that shows he belongs in the wind. So we follow Bob as he is the expert of the sky. Bob knows where the good trade winds are, Bob knows how to hover effortlessly for hours. He is inquisitive though, checking out the dozens of other paragliders in the air that morning to see if they had a snatch pack of buffalo too. But I, queen of the sky, was the one with the meaty bum bag so I was his best friend that day. He hears our wistle again from 1 or 2 hundred metres away and he begins his U-turn to swoop in from behind our chute. Bob and I had a connection that morning. We had an understanding where we both knew who was the liberated being. We both knew who was jealous of the other, who was the kindred spirit and who’s acrobatics and regal presence in the sky was to be admired. But Bob let me pretend I was a little bit like him that morning. He was very humble about it too. Only showing off a little. He allowed me to share the sky for the small price of a few chunks of manky meat.

(Bob and I sharing the sky.)

Bob and I may meet again before I leave and if we do I may ask him to marry me as I have never met a bloke quite like him. Generous, humble, adventurous, secure, knows what he wants in life, never stressed, doesn’t sweat the small stuff (like when he got stuck for a few seconds in the lines of my chute). Doesn’t mind that his hair-do is business at the back, party on the top. He enjoys the journey and cares little, if at all, about his destination. All these qualities far outweigh the minuscule concern I have that Bob may get impatient and scratch my face off if I run out of steak. Not that different to an Aussie bloke.

(I Love Bob)

Until next time…Be a little like Bob.

A brief introduction...a steep learning curve...

My hesitation in starting this blog lays in the mammoth task it takes to attempt to portray the many contradictions of Nepal. On one hand, the exquisite beauty and hospitality of the people, the breathtaking geography and rich culture sits paradoxically against rampant poverty, as well as political and civil turmoil. 

(View from the end of my street!)

My time and blog entries for the next three months will be focused around the work I am contributing to with an NGO called Hope for Himalayan Kids (HFHK). I am privileged to be a small part of something amazing here in Pokhara and soon to be rolled out across the country. The project in which I am involved is attempting to establish and implement a best practice process of deinstitutionalizing children's centers (orphanages). This involves establishing a country wide system of safe alternative care for the thousands of children across Nepal who have been institutionalized. There is no functioning structure for alternative care like fostering, adoption or small family groups. This is where HFHK is focusing it's efforts. Already they have piloted some of these alternatives and seen great health outcomes with the children who have been reintegrated into a family setting. As this process is both grass roots at a 'welfare' level and systemic at a legelative level it is a crucially slow process, ensuring children are supported psychologically, physically, financially and socially in the transitions. The project also consequently means preventing children entering these centers unnecessarily in the mean time.

(Some of the children associated wih Hope for Himalayan Kids)

While this may sound large and theoretical, I hope to paint a picture of what is happening in a tangible day to day story. A story that has so far been exhilarating, frustrating, hilarious, sad and often mind blowing. Come and I'll tell you some stories...

(Srikithi- The youngest child at Sahara Children's Home.)

 If you would like to see other photos of the children visit our link below and click on gallery

http://www.hopeforhimalayankids.org/