TIMA Nepal Kickoff

Today was the kickoff start to TIMA Nepal!!!! (Tzu Chi International Medical Association) Everyone has been waiting for this moment to arrive! It is so exciting and we are all so proud of all the local medical personnel who are dedicating their free time to alleviate all the people who are suffering! Much respect to each and everyone of them! And a big thank you to all the TIMA volunteers worldwide for your dedication in leading the way and guiding the Nepalese volunteers. 

This is truly a team effort! 

We had a total of 6 doctors today. 5 western medicine and 1 chinese medicine stations. 

The main purpose of today's free clinic was especially dedicated for the 60 nuns and monks that were rescued by helicopters from their collapsed temple up in the mountains (Bigu, Dolakha). It was made possible by Global Karuna (Compassion), which is a charity organization that is led by the Venerable Buddhist Master Metteyya. They are a Nepalese organization that is dedicated in the missions of Education, Child Protection, Health Awareness, and Buddhism Teachings. They have three schools in the Lumbini area (Buddha's birth place): Metta (love) schools, a boy's buddhist Monastery (Bodhi Institute) and also a Nun Center. They are very big into the idea of Women Empowerment, where they believe through the empowerment of women, poverty can be eradicated. The volunteers of this organization dedicate themselves in battling against child marriages and child labor in Nepal. This is quite a problem in the remote villages of Nepal, where 12/13 year old girls will be married off and start to have children already. They will never have the chance to get a proper education and will never achieve their potential. In these remote areas, all girls believe that they are just there for child bearing and that they can never be anything more than a mother and a housewife. Due to the large needs for OBGYN in these remote villages, Global Karuna has also dedicated a big part of their Health missions in training local Auxiliaries, Midwives, and Nurses. On top of all of that, all the organization's funding comes from the teaching tours of the Venerable Master Metteyya. He travels around the world and shares his teachings with others. 

Since the earthquake, Global Karuna has distributed food and shelter to over 250 villages around Nepal and has worked with INGO MAF (Mission Aviation Fellowship) in doing over 20 helicopter rescue missions. After speaking with the Venerable Master Metteyya and his disciple Aki, we have come to a realization that them and Tzu Chi are very much the same. With the same compassion for humanity and the same mission goals. I am so grateful that we have created such a positive affinity today with Global Karuna and I look forward to working closely with them in the near future. 

The little Tibetan nuns showing us all of their mosquito bites. They are used to living in high altitude environments, where there are no mosquitoes. Now that they are temporarily living in the Bhaktapur area, they are covered in mosquito bites. So today's doctors prescribed a lot of antihistamine and mild hydrocortisone (1%) creams for them. It is quite bothersome if you are not use to the itchiness of mosquito bites. I hope the creams will help alleviate their itchiness at a rapid rate. 

The Tibetan nuns and monks were the major focus group today, but we also opened up the free clinic to all residents in the area. 

While the patients waited to see the doctors, I was in charge of hosting the "side show" in letting everyone know more about who Tzu Chi is and what we are doing in Nepal. One of the activities we did was have people come blindly pick out a Jing Si Aphorism and share what are their thoughts on the teaching. This gentleman serves in the Nepalese Army and was very touched by the Jing Si Aphorism: There is no one in this world that I do not love, there is no one in this world that I do not trust, there is no one in this world that I cannot forgive. He said that being military means that he was in all of the most hard hit areas of the earthquake and he saw many things that a human should not ever see in their lifetime. He was very honored that he could help his country in a small way, but at the same time, he was sadden at the site of many people arguing and not being happy with the government's approach in the aftermath of the earthquake. He said that no one is perfect and everyone is going through a panic at the time. He said his feelings are described perfectly in this Jing Si Aphorism, because he feels like in order for Nepal to stand up again, the people needs to all unite as one and work for the great good of humanity. No more arguing, no more complaining, but use our energy wisely and directed in a positive place. I was very touched by his sharing and this is truly the spirit of Great Love. We need to all put our differences aside and put our similarities to good use. Nepal needs every one of us to help rebuild and people's hearts need to all be connected for the strength to increase. Go Nepal! 

We were also promoting the spirit of the Bamboo Bank. The people of Nepal are really kind-hearted and humble in nature. They give when they can and do not ask for much when needing help. That is the kind of attitude that is worth learning for everyone. Thank you Nepal for this precious lesson. 

Our driver Ravi always brings super yummy Nepalese food for me! We share a lunch pack everyday! I am truly blessed! A million dhanyabad (thank yous) from my tummy to you! 

Thank you TIMA Nepal! We saw a total of 111 patients today! What a great number for the first kickoff free clinic! This is the beginning of something magical! I can feel it! 

~ 3rd Local Volunteer Training Session ~

Today was our 3rd local volunteer training session! It was a huge turn out, 77 local volunteers showed up from all different areas. I was so happy to see all of them again! These are all my babies!

Team building discussions: we split them all up in groups, according to their community areas, and asked them to brainstorm some potential community project ideas. I.e. community clean-up, promoting recycling, tutoring program, bamboo bank...etc.

~ Libali ~

~ IDP Camp ~

~ Maheswari ~

~ Monkey Temple ~

~ Chu Che Pati ~

I was so proud of Chu Che Pati's team, because they were very passionate in promoting vegetarianism. What a great wish!!!! I will pray for your smooth transition!

These two sisters are some of the bravest girls I know! They were both buried under the rubble for 3 to 4 hours on the day of the earthquake. They were both badly injured due to the walls collapsing on their bodies. Both of them spent an extensive time in the hospital healing and now they are both continuing with regular physical therapy. The younger sister is a nurse and the other is an artist. Due to their injuries (mostly to the C-spine and T-spine), their lives have drastically changed. The older sister, who was preparing for her graduating Art Galla, is now unable to firmly grip a pencil. She had sustained a head injury and has had some nerve damage to her right hand. This is a huge blow to an Art major, but we still see her spirits high and wanting to give back and teach other children how to draw. She is a true inspiration. As for the younger sister, she is now in nursing school and loves to dance. Her injuries have healed at a faster rate and is quickly getting back on her feet. I was so proud of them, standing in front of everyone and letting everyone know that they would still like to teach dance and drawing classes to the children in their community. Both of these girls inspire me so much to be stronger and they are truly the living examples of: We need to overcome difficulties, not be overcome by them.  

~ S.E.C. Nepal ~

~ Thimi (Warehouse Volunteers) ~

Our two doctors, Dr. Sarvesh and Dr. Shakya (leaders of TIMA Nepal)

My boys of Chu Che Pati. It has been a while since I've seen them last. I was so happy that they could come by the volunteer training today! Vegetarianism team! Go Go Go!