Maheswari Coupon Distribution + Kiki*

Today was the coupon distribution at the Maheswari Camp. We had everything planned out already ahead of time and we were very confident in our plan, since we learned a huge lesson from the Chu Che Pati coupon distribution disaster before. I had typed up the camp's main name list last night into excel form and divided up the tents into three main groups and one for "others."

Line one : tents 1-5
Line two: tents 6-18
Line three: tents 19-36
Line four: People who are not on the list, any other problems

We didn't have bamboo sticks or ropes to divide the land into four different sections, so I just went and grabbed a wooden branch and started to mark lines on the floor. 

We had signs in the front that I made for each line, but I wanted to make sure there were instructions in the front of the line as well, since we did not have enough volunteers to lead the way. So I kindly asked the youth volunteers to write in Nepali and I just copied it in the dirt. Not bad right? Turns out it was understandable by the locals! Success! 

We had a volunteer vest giving ceremony. 

Later on, we finally had some rope and we tied them to the chairs with bricks weighing on them. 

Thanks to all the lovely women and children singing traditional Newari songs for us during the coupon distribution! 

Thanks to all the residents patiently waiting in line for their coupons! 

I was in charge of the fourth line, since that was where the most problems lied. I worked with the local tent camp management team to solve every problem that was brought up. Most of the issues were people not being on the list and making sure that they really lived in the tent areas. I made sure to have three different types of confirmation before handing out a new coupon: confirmation from the management team, having a local volunteer to physically check their tent for belongings, and confirmation from the same tent families. It took a while to get through this line due to all of these factors, since many people's names were missing from the list, but it was worthwhile, since we want to help as many people as we can. 

We also did some drawing activities with the children at the camp! They were so cute and made many cards to thank Tzu Chi! 

After the coupon distribution, we quickly headed over to visit a medical case in the same district. It is of a little 5 year old girl, who was badly injured in the earthquake. The house completely collapsed on her and her family.  Her pelvis was completely shattered and destroyed her urinary system. On top of that, she had lost almost every single family member in the earthquake: mother, grandmother, and sister. The only person left in her family with her now is her father. Little Kiki* had immediate surgery and blood transfusions. She spent a long time in the hospital and was later on discharged. Now she has a urinary catheter connected at all times. A very brave little girl, because it is just so painful. Tzu Chi's International Medical team found her in one of the tent camps while conducting a free clinic early on in the relief efforts. They helped her change her dressings and made sure she was properly cared for. Every time Kiki saw someone in a mask, she screamed out in horror, because it just reminded her of the earthquake and how much pain it has caused her; both psychologically and physically. After almost two months now, Tzu Chi volunteers have continuously visited her. She has recently learned how to walk again, but still in a very fragile state due to possible infections. It is going to be a long recovery road for her. I pray for her everyday! 

Good luck Kiki*! You are never alone! We will be there for you, every step of the way! We are all one big family! You can do it! I believe in you! <3