Nepal often conjures images of small villages perched in the mountains and on the plains. However, there are other kinds of "villages" that exist within the boundaries of large cities like Kathmandu. Collections of little handmade homes stretch for miles along the riverbanks and form a kind of village community within the hustle and bustle of the surrounding city. These neighborhoods are composed of hundreds of families living in tidy rows of fragile handmade shelters, only a small percentage with access to an acceptable latrine. Illness and the elements are a perpetual risk for everyone in these communities, but especially for the very young and the very old.
We visited two of these neighborhoods on our recent trip to Nepal. HealthEd Connect volunteers are findings ways to meet the needs of these precious people through forming relationships with local women who are mothers and caregivers. They teach sanitation, nutrition, hygiene, and provide simple medical solutions, as well as bringing comfort and kindness.
No comments:
Post a Comment