November 1993 was the start of a new born church on the outskirts of Lalgadh Hospital. The church has grown many fold since that time and this week we celebrate with much joy, its silver jubilee, 25 years.
Many people visited Lalgadh Hospital this week for the celebrations, reminiscing, music, dance and of course good Nepali food and prayer. Lots of people were thanked for their spiritual and physical support and encouragement. Norman Meeten, whose had been a wonder influence from the beginning spoke about ‘a church is not a building…it is inside each of us individually … we are the church’ and collectively as community we are the church. More photos and updates to follow.
Our founder Eileen, aged 94 years, having tea and cake in her home in Kathmandu yesterday (18th June 2017), with Mike Winterburn, chairman of the board of directors of NLT Ireland.
Eileen Lodge, had worked in Nepal with those affected by Leprosy since the early 1950s. Nepal Leprosy Trust (NLT) was established in 1972 in Kathmandu. Many, many people have benefited and continue to benefit greatly as result of this wonderful lady! If you wish to support our mission contact us on info@nlt.ie or click here
Late one evening in July, I found myself descending rapidly in an airplane over the Kathmandu valley. The city looked totally unlike any I had seen before. Walking out onto the heated street, the life of the place struck me. People everywhere. No surface seemed untouched. As I travelled south, rural farmland replaced crowded cityscape – rice paddies and dirt tracks.
WELCOME TO NEPAL
How did I end up here? After a lifetime of hearing stories about Nepal from my parents, who spent the first years of their married lives there, I had been given the opportunity to visit. I would be staying at Lalgadh Hospital – the busiest leprosy hospital in the world – set up by Nepal Leprosy Trust (NLT), a Christian organisation inspired by Jesus’ compassion to serve the poor and sick. Their aim is to empower those affected by leprosy and other disadvantaged people.
With the birth of two wonderful little girls in my extended family this week in Ireland I am reminded of the mother and baby ward in Lalgadh Leprosy Hospital in southern Nepal.
This last week in February there have been 3 births in Lalgadh, two girls and a boy. All going well the mothers will return home with their newborn baby about 5 or 6 hours after birth. The normal birth figures in the hospital are an average of two a month.
This low figure is due to three things:
1. the specialised ward is a new facility within the hospital compound
2. most mothers have their babies at home and continue with normal daily life
3. the hospital is situated in rural Nepal and travelling long distance, at short notice, usually on foot is not ideal during labour.
This trend is slowly changing as a result of the Village Alive Program which includes training of Rural Health Champions (RHC).
The RHC’s are women working on a voluntary basis and have been selected by their respective villages. These women take part in efforts to control diarrhea, vomiting, malnutrition, malaria, and tuberculosis and referral advice when required. Most of them were illiterate, but now function as health volunteers, measuring blood pressure and performing examinations, including examination of pregnant women. They are also able to recognise danger signs and advise to move pregnant women to hospital if necessary.
When I visited Lalgadh Leprosy Hospital for Easter 2014 I was blessed to meet some beautiful people. I know I have made friends for life as a result of my time spend there. One of the ladies I met was Sarita, she was part of the outreach team who travelled with us to the remote villages. On these trips she preformed many tasks, one of which was introducing us to the villagers, helping to translate and share their stories.
I also spent time with her in the small jewellery making workshop which she manages. She provides training and support for people in a similar situation to her own. Sarita, seen here on the left, is a very warm, confident and outgoing person but this was not always the case.
“I’ve lost my job, as my boss does not want me around. I feel hunger.”
Economic loss can cause the family great hardship.
“I went to the hospital at Lalgadh Leprosy Hospital, the doctor tells me I have leprosy. I feel despair.”
The actual diagnosis can be the most painful part, for patient, family and community.
“The nurses take care of my wounds and ulcers and give me medicine. I feel compassion.”
The secondary effect of having damaged nerves is infections, this is what most people see as leprosy, the leprosy bacteria is treated by antibiotics.
“I sleep in a hospital bed and have a full meal. I feel safe.”
Often patients may be malnourished and need to be admitted as in-patients.
“The hospital staff hold my dry hands in theirs and make me laugh. I don’t feel untouchable.”
Stigma begins in the heart, and we overcome it by the way we live, by the example we show.
“I am much better now, so I can go home, I meet other leprosy patients in my area. I feel a new community beginning.”
Leprosy patients form self-help groups (SHG), to look out for each other. Men and women, young and old, Muslims, Christians and Hindus of different castes all sit together and share their struggles, offer advice, laugh and cry, touch and comfort each other, building self-esteem and confidence.
“In the SHG we can start to learn again, to read and write, to understand health issues. I feel I am growing.”
Self-help groups receive support from Lalgadh Hospital with adult and health education.
“The SHG begins a monthly savings scheme. I feel hope.”
Self-help groups receive seed capital from Lalgadh Hospital and encourage leprosy patients to budget and save.
“I start a small business and earn money to support my family. I feel pride.”
The savings scheme can lend money to its members to start an enterprise to break the downward cycle of poverty.
Monthly savings scheme helps me to start a small fruit and veg market.
“My children respect me again, and my spouse welcomes me in the home. I feel love.”
The family often adapts and heals remarkably easily.
“My children can return to school. I feel they have a future.”
Public health education, through street drama or discussion provided by LLSC can help bring down barriers in the community.
“The SHG invites Lalgadh Hospital to start a Village Alive Programme in our village. I feel I am becoming a leader.”
The Village Alive Programme is an intensive three year health, education and development programme, that the self-help group initiates with the support of Lalgadh Hospital and agreement of the local community.
“Our village is doing well, the community looks to me to help and guide them. I feel no disgrace.”
All the above quotes are drawn from leprosy affected people in Nepal and this story highlights a common journey of recovery for them as enabled by NLT.
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