Well it's been quite a trip but for now I am going to sign off this little blog. Am back to the world of fast net connection, piles of post, hot showers etc and enjoying catching up. I expect I shall have some more time to reflect on the trip soon. It really has been great and I felt so supported out there by all of you. This blog doesn't cover everything but I hope it gave a slight flavour of the trip (and was a good way of sharing photos).
Many thanks indeed for being there. I hope we have let something of value for the people of Far Western Nepal. There are many changes that would help. The situation there reminds me of the UK not so long ago - a high involvement of the NGO sector. It'd be good to transfer some of that time and investment into more frontline staff in the clinics as ART becomes more available.
I digress. Back to work on Monday so am going to enjoy the weekend.
Very best wishes and many thanks again.
If you have any further questions please do email me.
Hugs
Tristan xx
Saturday, 27 February 2010
Thursday, 25 February 2010
Final Day
Amazing final day and well deserved day off.
The pictures are all I can post for now. Thanks heavens for the MacBook it has been amazing whilst here.
Got to dash - loads of email and not packed yet - hope to post a final message to this blog when home.
An amazing trip thank you all for being there Txx
The pictures are all I can post for now. Thanks heavens for the MacBook it has been amazing whilst here.
Got to dash - loads of email and not packed yet - hope to post a final message to this blog when home.
An amazing trip thank you all for being there Txx
Wednesday, 24 February 2010
Tuesday, 23 February 2010
Monday, 22 February 2010
Return To KTM
Briefly - good final days - leaving lunch at Bell's, tea with Parvej and his family - a friendly guy who has always said hello to us on the street, dinner with Dr Rajya and her son, then goodbye to the Saathi Boys and a safe trip back to KTM - in full strike mode. Police at the airport covered in Kevlar and looking like Robocop (no pics taken!).
Presentations tomorrow and a full working day then a little R&R - first days off in 5 weeks.
Hope you all have an excellent week Txx
ps - many thanks to Marie and all the Global Medic Force staff for a very kind write up in the latest "Reports from the Field" (not yet available online)
pps - recommended new album from Mr Wayne G - has lightened up some dark and dingy hotel rooms for me in Far Western Nepal! Thanks a lot mister hope you're safe on those NZ waves xx
Presentations tomorrow and a full working day then a little R&R - first days off in 5 weeks.
Hope you all have an excellent week Txx
ps - many thanks to Marie and all the Global Medic Force staff for a very kind write up in the latest "Reports from the Field" (not yet available online)
pps - recommended new album from Mr Wayne G - has lightened up some dark and dingy hotel rooms for me in Far Western Nepal! Thanks a lot mister hope you're safe on those NZ waves xx
Saturday, 20 February 2010
Nearly back to Kathmandu
Just Sunday left in Dhangadi before returning on Buddha Air to Kathmandu. IT looks as though our presentations may have been brought forward - FHI feedback on Monday and then I am presenting at Teku Hospital on Tuesday.
This should then give us a well earned couple of days off (we haven't had any since leaving Kathmandu really as even Saturdays have been office days).
Intention is a bit of (self funded) health club use at the Radisson, possibly dinner and a cocktail at Dwarika's and a couple of trips to Bodhnath and Bhaktapur before return flights on Friday. No doubt some shopping will feature also!
An excellent trip all round - we have nearly finished our final report and our presentations for Kathmandu, so just some goodbyes to say now. Started last night after a lovely dinner with Jonathan, Elizabeth and Dila.
Hope to update you next week on how things go in KTM.
Tristan xx
By the way, if you're considering it or inspired by anything you've read on this blog please note doctors are not the only people who can volunteer with Global Medic Force.
This should then give us a well earned couple of days off (we haven't had any since leaving Kathmandu really as even Saturdays have been office days).
Intention is a bit of (self funded) health club use at the Radisson, possibly dinner and a cocktail at Dwarika's and a couple of trips to Bodhnath and Bhaktapur before return flights on Friday. No doubt some shopping will feature also!
An excellent trip all round - we have nearly finished our final report and our presentations for Kathmandu, so just some goodbyes to say now. Started last night after a lovely dinner with Jonathan, Elizabeth and Dila.
Hope to update you next week on how things go in KTM.
Tristan xx
By the way, if you're considering it or inspired by anything you've read on this blog please note doctors are not the only people who can volunteer with Global Medic Force.
Wednesday, 17 February 2010
Pulled this way and that.....
So our time here draws to a close. Not too much extra to report. We are both feeling ready to come home now, although not homesick as such I think we feel our usefulness is coming to an end and it's better for local staff (as intended) to get on with doing what they do and try to improve some things as per recommendations. We feel a bit pulled in many directions. Local staff are trying to squeeze in last minute things that could've been done earlier but weren't, usually with "Nepali time" as the reason.... we are being asked to write reports for GMF and also to present for FHI next week - initially twice on 2 days, now three times on days which keep changing, neglecting the fact we have asked for time off to sort a few things out in Kathmandu, and also failing to appreciate that we could return home earlier if the days do change... we shall see. Patience definitely required at these final hurdles. Life is generally good though - a few dinners arranged to say goodbye to new friends in the next few days. Will be strange to leave yet we have confidence in much of the local structure and the ability of local staff to take things forward.
One thing I am looking forward to is a good, RVT style dance!!
Hope to post a couple more times before the return home. I really can't thank everyone enough for the support during he fundraising and our time here. Has been truly incredible.
Thanks indeed.
Tristan xx
One thing I am looking forward to is a good, RVT style dance!!
Hope to post a couple more times before the return home. I really can't thank everyone enough for the support during he fundraising and our time here. Has been truly incredible.
Thanks indeed.
Tristan xx
Sunday, 14 February 2010
Valentine's Day
Well I can't decide if I am gutted or glad that I forgot my camera... Cue the Valentine's Day event at the Palace of Om in Dhangadi.... started as a sedate affair with singing on stage... the lack of girls and excess of boys was noted. A few girls were present, although with their mothers as chaperones. I was sitting next to a young (and handsome) primary school teacher and we got chatting. Apparently the Far West remains very traditional and girls are not permitted many freedoms... he also asked if I like to dance... and then the DJ (after a few technical hitches) started playing. Which resulted in a good hour of sweaty, all male, erm... raving really! Very amusing indeed and I am sure I feature in many video clips and mobile phone pictures. Much back slapping and many handshakes later I left on a massive high. A very good (and surprising) evening indeed. All male dancefloors I am accustomed to, but heterosexual ones are not so common! the girls remained in the front row of seats watching the proceedings - not sure if this is the best way to pick a husband? But perhaps it helps choose which ones to avoid?!!
PS Apparently this is the only day of the year that they are allowed to have a DJ and dancing! Even more of an honour....
PS Apparently this is the only day of the year that they are allowed to have a DJ and dancing! Even more of an honour....
Thursday, 11 February 2010
Quiet office days....
Helen and me are spending some good time catching up with office work. Today is the Mahashivarati festival when - we have been told by our waiter - everyone smokes hashish before spending tomorrow praying!
Some contrasting views of Dhangadi for you, and a couple of shots (with consent) from the clinic.
Here also are friends Jonathan and Elizabeth, here working in educaion with VSO and settling into their new place. We wish them all the best for their time here.
Hope you all have a great weekend and as before, very best of luck to Paul Joseph tonight - am awaiting news eagerly! xxx
Some contrasting views of Dhangadi for you, and a couple of shots (with consent) from the clinic.
Here also are friends Jonathan and Elizabeth, here working in educaion with VSO and settling into their new place. We wish them all the best for their time here.
Hope you all have a great weekend and as before, very best of luck to Paul Joseph tonight - am awaiting news eagerly! xxx
Tuesday, 9 February 2010
Doti
We are surprised but it is lovely to be back in Dhangadi and even Hotel Saathi! Not that Doti wasn't great, although there wasn't a great deal to do after work, but we did use he time to catch up on report writing.
The drive was incredible - views across to the Himalaya which, unfortunately, were obscured by rain on the way back.
Stayed in a guest house with the most incredible views. The clinic sees around 700 patients and has the least access to things like medications and investigations of anywhere we have been. The staff also don't get much supervision - locally at least - although are excellent and work 7 days a week 24 hours a day. Patients may walk 2-5 days to clinic so if they pitch up in the middle of the night it's hard to say "come back tomorrow".
Women with problems in labour face a tough time as there are no obstetricians and no facility for Caesarean sections... if it's a really tough call then the choice is usually to save the woman over the baby as she can "always get pregnant again".....
Town itself quite beautiful a long main street down the spine of a hill - and you will see some (hopefully) good pictures.
It was our first "goodbye" to a site we have mentored and they were incredibly sweet and grateful. Very humbling indeed. As usual news of our presence had spread like wildfire and people came from far to be seen by the foreign doctors....
The journey back today was hair raising. We awoke to pouring rain and a powercut. Packed by torchlight but we were unsure if the driver would be happy to attempt the rather tricky road.... he did so masterfully though - negotiating landslides and falling rocks! Thanks heavens for 4 wheel drives... Helen (sensible) slept most of the way leaving me doing the looking out - gripping on tightly and plugged into my iPhone in hope of some sensory deprivation and a bit of inner calm! (wasn't too bad really, but being dramatic is so much more fun. Did have it's moments though).
So now we're back and catching up. A period of assimilation ahead as we plan all of our reports and feedbacks, as well as doing some more mentoring and attending debrief sessions.
Was very sorry to miss Anthem at the RVT last Friday. Every best wish to PJ for this coming Friday, and much love and congratulations to Lydia and Tim on the (final and arduous but well worth it?) arrival of Miss Rosa Isobella MaGuire. I look forward to the pictures!
Hope everyone else is well and thanks for the messages whist I have been away.
Tristan xx
The drive was incredible - views across to the Himalaya which, unfortunately, were obscured by rain on the way back.
Stayed in a guest house with the most incredible views. The clinic sees around 700 patients and has the least access to things like medications and investigations of anywhere we have been. The staff also don't get much supervision - locally at least - although are excellent and work 7 days a week 24 hours a day. Patients may walk 2-5 days to clinic so if they pitch up in the middle of the night it's hard to say "come back tomorrow".
Women with problems in labour face a tough time as there are no obstetricians and no facility for Caesarean sections... if it's a really tough call then the choice is usually to save the woman over the baby as she can "always get pregnant again".....
Town itself quite beautiful a long main street down the spine of a hill - and you will see some (hopefully) good pictures.
It was our first "goodbye" to a site we have mentored and they were incredibly sweet and grateful. Very humbling indeed. As usual news of our presence had spread like wildfire and people came from far to be seen by the foreign doctors....
The journey back today was hair raising. We awoke to pouring rain and a powercut. Packed by torchlight but we were unsure if the driver would be happy to attempt the rather tricky road.... he did so masterfully though - negotiating landslides and falling rocks! Thanks heavens for 4 wheel drives... Helen (sensible) slept most of the way leaving me doing the looking out - gripping on tightly and plugged into my iPhone in hope of some sensory deprivation and a bit of inner calm! (wasn't too bad really, but being dramatic is so much more fun. Did have it's moments though).
So now we're back and catching up. A period of assimilation ahead as we plan all of our reports and feedbacks, as well as doing some more mentoring and attending debrief sessions.
Was very sorry to miss Anthem at the RVT last Friday. Every best wish to PJ for this coming Friday, and much love and congratulations to Lydia and Tim on the (final and arduous but well worth it?) arrival of Miss Rosa Isobella MaGuire. I look forward to the pictures!
Hope everyone else is well and thanks for the messages whist I have been away.
Tristan xx
Doti - the Photos
Ok, first, the photos:
Blue Diamond (actually from Dhangadi) - also see Blue Diamond Society
The road to, and arrival in Doti
Doti Day One (1)
Doti Day One (2)
Doti Day Two
Doti Day Three
Doti Day Four
Doti - The Return
Blue Diamond (actually from Dhangadi) - also see Blue Diamond Society
The road to, and arrival in Doti
Doti Day One (1)
Doti Day One (2)
Doti Day Two
Doti Day Three
Doti Day Four
Doti - The Return
Tuesday, 2 February 2010
No internet access until Wednesday 10th Feb 2010 (at least)
Attended a Community Home Based Care Team meeting at Seti today.
This is a quickie as loads to sort - Doti (hill country) has been brought forward and will be away from early on Thursday 4th Feb until at least Weds 11th Feb banda (strikes) permitting so probably no updates until then....
Look forward to posting after my return.
Txx
This is a quickie as loads to sort - Doti (hill country) has been brought forward and will be away from early on Thursday 4th Feb until at least Weds 11th Feb banda (strikes) permitting so probably no updates until then....
Look forward to posting after my return.
Txx
Monday, 1 February 2010
Week 3
Suddenly here we are in week 3. Amazingly have discovered that my friend Catherine who works for VSO has been to Mahendranagar!! Incredible... not really on the tourist trail. The VSO volunteers here are working in education.
Spent the day in clinic mentoring yesterday. The real photo opportunities here are the ones that remain in your head - too voyeuristic to photograph. The 7 year old girl yesterday who had walked 5 days to take the bus to clinic and has TB and HIV coinfection - asleep on the ground outside with a respiratory rate of 60/minute; the young boy in the middle of a rubbish tip by the side of the road looking for pens (the refuse workers have been on strike for ages); the middle aged woman being wrapped up for her open air cremation and her grieving husband circling the pyre three times as is the custom.....
Today we have been just outside Dhangadi to another STI clinic and the Community Home Based Care teams for monitoring and a very interesting Q&A session.
Next week we go to Doti and will be away from the internet for the week although we are coming back a day early because of the Maha Shivarati festival on Friday. After that we are likely to be in the office more often as we get our presentations and final reports compiled.
Please check out the 2009 report for my friend Mike's charity in Kenya here.
Have a great week Txx
Spent the day in clinic mentoring yesterday. The real photo opportunities here are the ones that remain in your head - too voyeuristic to photograph. The 7 year old girl yesterday who had walked 5 days to take the bus to clinic and has TB and HIV coinfection - asleep on the ground outside with a respiratory rate of 60/minute; the young boy in the middle of a rubbish tip by the side of the road looking for pens (the refuse workers have been on strike for ages); the middle aged woman being wrapped up for her open air cremation and her grieving husband circling the pyre three times as is the custom.....
Today we have been just outside Dhangadi to another STI clinic and the Community Home Based Care teams for monitoring and a very interesting Q&A session.
Next week we go to Doti and will be away from the internet for the week although we are coming back a day early because of the Maha Shivarati festival on Friday. After that we are likely to be in the office more often as we get our presentations and final reports compiled.
Please check out the 2009 report for my friend Mike's charity in Kenya here.
Have a great week Txx
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