Chapagaun Health Centre Volunteering
Trip Start
Sep 04, 2006
1
17
87
Trip End
Aug 20, 2007
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Kathmandu Valley,
Nepal
Monday, November 13, 2006
The centre itself provides a birthing ward and infant health care for the 20,000 people of the Lalitpur region. Nepal statistics show that 3 children die every hour (many due to mal-nutrition) and 1 mother dies every two hours during child-birth. Although it is tradition to give birth at home, the centre has delivered over 160 babies in the last year with 100% success rate.
Many of the families in the Region do not have enough food to eat, and the little food they have is usually of poor nutritional value (due to lack of knowledge), and given to the sons in preference to the daughters. We met 3 year old Chebang and his 5 year old sister, Binita, staying at the nutrition unit. She was brought to the centre weighing just 5kg and on the verge of starvation, unable to sit up and really just skin and bones. In just 3 weeks, her weight has doubled and she has started to respond - seeing her throwing a ball on our last day was a real break-through.
In addition to the good work this week, we've managed to fit in a mountain flight to Everest (fantastic to fly so close to the world's highest peak!), spent time in lessons at the local government school and Chas had a football game against the local Buddhist monks! The highlight was our voluntary work appearing in a 2 minute report on prime time news - muscle man Chas was shown lugging bricks, whilst Sonia's bum got more air time than she would have wished - they obviously didn't think much of the bricklaying skills!!
Comments
Have it!!
More excellent pics and a great one there Chas of you playing le foot avec le monks - living proof of how football can unite nations. Only thing is, hope you're not teaching the monks how to 'tackle' the Bingham way...!!
Laters,
McKean (and Sarah)
Best photo ever taken...
This photo perfectly encapsulates 'Chasness'. The other side of the world with people of different ages, religions, wealth and health and Chas has persuaded them to let him play footy with them. Not only that, I suspect that Chas has also introduced Midlands rules whereby strong tackles & big elbows are an integral part of teh game!
Love it!!!
Stupot
Poor Poor Monks!
Well Well Well ......Bing I do hope your not giving that monk a kicking as that's what it looks like!
you guys look like your having a great time! Sonia Looks well & Bing ....Well you just look like you! ;-)
Where will you be Mid March By the way as that when I'll be in OZ! Notice has now gone in & I'm on the way!
You guys take care & hope to catch you soon
Jessy!
Your Indian Adventures
Hi Sonia & Chas.
You sound like you're having a really interesting time at the centre in Nepal. I met some monks at a temple here in Korea last months and they were obsessed with football! Loved that i was from England and very excited about Manchester as there is a Korean player at Man U!! Anyway, keep up the blogs and photos. Its fun keeping tabs on you. Korea is beautiful (red leaves) but a little cold. Learning taekwondo now - twice a week - and i'm getting fit and flexible. Looking forward to skiing at Christmas. Take care & hope to hear from you again soon Bex xxxxx
nice toilet
'i don't think i would even have a crap in that toilet' ... N Wyatt!!!
Hope last week was not too difficult for you Chaz, we were all thinking about you last week.
the trip sounds absolutley amazing, the road trip through india sounded quite terrifying, v glad to hear you made it through safely.
Apologies for not being in touch before, Nick and I have just spent 20 minutes catching up on all your stories and adventure, some of which made us cringe and others made us laugh, especially the one where chaz got poo-ed on (its good luck you know).
Had a great weekend as Paul was up so we had a good old Crown piss up with lots of stories and laughing, you were both missed.
Gossip from the UK. Pete and ads have had there first child, Montgomery Alexander Hall. Also paul and sarah are expecting their second.
All is well here, look forward to catching up on the next installment.
Over and Out ... Nasty and Beef.