04.06.07

Update from Kanti Children's Hospital. I just finished the orientation with the good Bishop today. It was a really long into session, but extremely informative and at the time I seriously couldn't figure out why this guy was going on for so long. But as soon as we began walking through the wards, I came to understand the frustrations of this man who was trying to raise funds for aiding the children. Isaiah 1:16-17

It was a very sobering experience walking through the halls of a destitute hospital - one that reeked of stale urine, was grossly understaffed and ill-equipped to provide fundamental care. e.g. patients in the cardiology ward don't have monitors; in fact, the only EKG is out of commission with a unknown timeline to get fixed. This is no tiny hospital either. It's got almost 300 beds. over 200 of which provide services to the public free for charge. Over 65% of admitted patients come from the village sometimes walking for days. With over 40% of the popluation of Nepal between 14 years.

ok, pictures to perhaps explin what i've been up to:

1. patan hospital outside. i get a drink b/c it's cheap. i laugh because there's a label that says 1 glass guava 3 glass water = 4 glass guava. i nearly died alughing at that label and in my infinite wisdom drank this juice thinking it was the contents label and that some crazy company was trying to ingeniusly market 100% guava juice. this drink produced some cough reflex and when my host/friends arrived and were offered the drink, they laughed hysterically at me because I was spp'd to dilute it by 3 parts. who was I spp'd to know if you sell this on the street w/ other juices (blow to my ego)


2. at bkstr

3. monastary... more on this later

4. rainwater collection in a random home on really steep road on route to cmonastary in the middle of nowhere.

5. Mrs. Izadi: nothing to fear! Ernesto is eating very well - perhaps a bit too well! (Lots of momo's: Buffalo, Mutton, chicken and pork) Canadian buddy, who convinced me to come inthe first place is staying at a very nice guest house very close by. This restaurant came at the recommendation of director of ENPHO. It's staffed by extremely competent, yet deaf and dumb waiters. Great food although pricey, but supports a chain of restaurants doing good work and training up marginalized members of society.
6. book store buddy. who offered me tea the next time i went in. work at Kanti may only be a couple hours each day cause there is really nothing that can be done for the patients with limited equipment and expertise. so i may end of having more to time do work with traffic police and advocacy work for pollution awareness.