What can I say about my 2 months in Nepal? It is difficult to express all my feelings in words, but I will still do my best to describe my experience.
Prior to my departure from Canada I was filled with expectations, apprehensions and excitement. I wanted an opportunity to help and learn at the Siddhi Memorial Hospital. I also hoped for comfortable living conditions and, of course, safety. Basically, I was looking for a life-changing experience while, simultaneously, having a good time.
Despite the many warnings and advisories attributed to Maoist uprisings, I ventured to Nepal with my eyes and my mind wide open. Upon my arrival to this beautiful country, I realized the trip was going to exceed my expectations.
At first glance, Kathmandu may seem like a typical Asian metropolis; however, it is surrounded by a view of mountains unrivaled by any capital city in the world. But the best of Nepal can only truly be appreciated once you leave Kathmandu. The land is filled with such breathtaking scenery, diverse culture, and friendly, sincere people. The Nepalis are like diamonds in the rough.
I say "rough" only because the country is clearly underdeveloped and, at times, shockingly poor. This is most pronounced in the rural areas outside of the Valley, but can be observed virtually anywhere you go. Don't get me wrong, Nepal is a picturesque nation and I loved to breathe in the crisp mountain air and admire the rolling hills, bustling valleys and majestic Himalayas. However, the sad reality is that Nepali's lives are so busy with making ends meat and working in the fields; they seldom have time to appreciate all the beauty surrounding them.
The extreme poverty is what led me to volunteer at the Siddhi Memorial Hospital. This hospital is a non-governmental, non-profit establishment aimed at serving the poor women and children of the Bhaktapur district in Nepal. The hospital is remarkably well-organized, clean and efficient. It has also had a noticeably positive impact on the surrounding community since its establishment in 1997. The institution has an excellent reputation for quality care, and I am very optimistic about the future of this hospital.
My position at the hospital was highly varied. I worked in the outpatient clinic, in gynecology, in immunizations, in the administrative office and in the field. The fieldwork was particularly interesting; it is part of an ongoing international zinc supplementation research project run via the hospital. Basically, small children with pneumonia are administered treatments of antibiotics and zinc tablets in their homes. This is done under the pretext that the local youth lack zinc in their diets rendering them more susceptible to illness. It was very fascinating to visit the homes of the destitute children and it was very rewarding to know that I was helping them.
I found all the doctors and nurses in the hospital to be very patient, helpful and communicative. I learned so many things through their explanations and demonstrations. My only disappointment is that I was not able to contribute very much. As a student without any medical training, there were only a limited amount of things I could do to help the patients. At times, I felt guilty benefiting from the knowledge without being able to make a difference in the hospital. I just kept telling myself that once I become a certified doctor I will give back some of what the Siddhi Memorial Hospital has given me. In the meantime, I am content with the little help that I contributed and I believe that this experience will make me a more empathic physician in the future. I am also satisfied with the knowledge that I gained both about medicine and the Bhaktapur Community.
I was actually quite fortunate to have been able to live and work in Bhaktapur. This city is a unique and historic place with ancient temples and medieval-style homes. There is virtually no traffic in the core of the city, the narrow streets are paved with cobblestone, and the local people have managed to preserve their traditions and culture very well. Although there is definitely poverty and illness, the Siddhi Memorial Hospital and other non-profit organizations have significantly improved the local living conditions making Bhaktapur one of the best places to live in Nepal.
Personally, my favorite part of Bhaktapur was my host family. This Chettri Hindu family was so loving and caring, there is no way I could ever repay them back for what they have given me. They embraced me and brought me into their family, they taught me about their culture and made me feel at home. I love them very much and I will never forget them. For the rest of my life I have two families: one in Canada and one in Nepal.
The hospital, the family and the country all hold a special place in my heart. So what can I say about my 2 months in Nepal? I can say that I learned about many things, including myself. I can say "ekdum raamailo tiho", which is Nepali for "it was so much fun"! And I can say that these were the best 2 months of my entire life. |
