Our Final Week in Nepal

Our last week in Nepal was full of incredible experiences in Pokhara, a busy but beautiful city miles away from the noise and chaotic environment we experienced in Kathmandu. We were all pleased to reach this destination and enjoyed some free time around Lakeside and the surrounding area before visiting Green Pastures Hospital.

We were fortunate to enjoy the spectacular views of the Annapurna mountain range, including the remarkable Machhapuchhre Mountain, (one of the most photographed mountains in the world) also known as ‘Fish Tail’ and the ‘Holy Mountain’. It is considered sacred by the locals as it has never been climbed and climbing it has in fact been banned.

Marie, Brad and I (Jayne), took leaps of faith (literally) as we experienced paragliding from Sarangkot – the views, including that of Phewa Lake were spectacular.

This was followed by Marie and I taking a spur of the moment yet fun afternoon exploring by way of scooters while the rest of the gang soaked up the local culture. The following day Jodi, Tom, and I were fortunate to have the time to hike the Panchase trek. The views of the Annapurna mountain range were amazing, the hospitality at the tea house gracious, the Dahl baht (food) delicious and the tea house rooms quaint and quite perfect.

The 3.5 hour hike down the relentless steps was not so much fun on the knees but the dip in the cold river was appreciated and invigorating to say the least. The rest of the gang also enjoyed swimming in the lake, more adventures on motorbikes exploring the backcountry, views from the World Peace Stupa, exploring bat caves, local villages, shopping, and dining and hanging out with some great new friends.

For our final three days we all spent valuable time at the Green Pastures Hospital and Rehabilitation Centre. This facility, run by the International Nepal Fellowship is a Christian organization that started in 1957 and continues to provide specialist people oriented services in leprosy, disability and spinal cord injuries. The staff we interacted with included doctors and nurses, counselors, physiotherapists, orthopedic appliance technicians, nursing aids, and volunteers’ that all showed incredible dedication, commitment and compassion towards their clients and co-workers.

Green pastures provides in and out patient leprosy services, reconstructive surgery, nursing care, laboratory services, counseling and health education, patient rehabilitation that inclueds the Orthopaedic appliances, occupational and physiotherapy, and self care. There are 73 official beds but extra patients are often taken in and include those with leprosy, tuberculosis and other disabilities such as cerebral palsy, burns, and spinal cord injury. Green Pastures is a hospital for the poor; they provide schooling for the children of patients as well as education for the illiterate clients and when older people have been abandoned by their families, due to the stigma and discrimination attached to leprosy, they are allowed to stay at the hospital to live out their lives.

With a thirst for knowledge, working in pairs, we spent time in various areas around Green Pastures to further appreciate the work that people do with such limited resources. The staff surpassed our expectations with their graciousness, enthusiasm, and creativity. Nurses apply honey to wounds to assist healing because they can no longer get silver nitrate. Honey and sugar work very well to increase granulation tissue, extract water, and lower the pH which decreases bacterial growth. Medications for leprosy, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS are supplied by the Government, but other services are billed to the patient according to what they can afford. The Red Cross covers the cost of prosthetics for people who have lost a limb due to the war but patients cover the cost for leprosy amputations if they can afford it and if not the hospital supplies whatever they need. Occupational therapists work with individuals to increase their ability to adapt with the use of attachments and devices, provide self-care teaching/learning, facilitate empowerment and increase self-worth. The majority of the prosthetics are made on site with the feet attachments supplied by Red Cross. It was incredible to have this opportunity to be involved with spinal cord injured and leprosy infected patients and seeing prosthetics being hand made. Interacting with clients during wound dressing changes, and physiotherapy sessions was inspirational as we observed their strength, courage and determination. As our visit came to an end, it was difficult to say goodbye; certainly, some of us left with a strong desire to return one day.

We enjoyed a final night out in Lakeside and said farewell to Jodi and Tom as they remain behind to embark on their adventure of hiking in the Annapurna Conservation Area and a day later (back in Kathmandu) we also said farewell to Bronwen as she also stays behind before heading off for her travels in Thailand with her partner James (very envious!). We all look forward to hearing about all of their adventures on their return.

To end, visiting Nepal for our nursing practicum was an incredible experience and opportunity of a lifetime, and speaking on behalf of the group we would have to say that we all managed extremely well considering all the challenges faced. Our lives have been touched and changed by the diverse interactions with the many children and adults of Nepal, coping with the environment, immersing ourselves into the incredible culture, the daily chaos, and gaining a raised awareness of political upheaval. I (Jayne) feel honored to have been a part of this group and look forward to more adventures and the future planning that will come from of the continuing development and hard work of the Global Nursing Network and Faculty at North Island College. We would particularly like to thank Cathy, our instructor, for her dedication, enthusiasm, and commitment that helped to make this practicum become a reality. Namaste, Jayne & Brad