Final DaYz

Greetings Everyone!

I hope all is well and healthy wherever you are...because for the last couple of days I have been the victim of food poisoning and contaminated water. The pain I had was so conflicting and mind boggling that I wasn't able to function properly. The only thought running through my mind was where's the bathroom and whats the fastest route. It was equivalent to having the worst period ever: stomach cramps, gas, constant bowel leakage, and lets not forget the mood swings....Not to be crass but I went to the bathroom at least six times yesterday, mind you that's one day, I've been under the weather for at least a week. This whole ordeal has made me wonder why aren't the simple fundamentals enforced? My sickness could've been completely avoided by simply making clean hands a priority...After my lengthy recovery I notice the lack of care in almost everything: food, hygiene, emissions testing, garbage everything, no one seems to give homage to anything concerning health unless its in regards to money. I feel this posting really relates to one of my previous postings speaking on the example Americans display. We as a nation are viewed across the world and with that comes an image. I realized being here when I introduce myself as American all they see is $$$$$$$$ and more $$$$$$$. Between the media and politics we portray ourselves rather wealthy when in reality is the complete opposite, don't misunderstand me...We are a wealthy nation, however we are a nation in debt that borrows to donate to underdeveloped countries...[yes I did say that right,that wasn't a typo] Its as if we rob Peter to pay Paul, the concept makes no sense. [but anyway I'm losing focus from my point] Our capitalist society/ way of thinking is spreading like wild fire, and the image we're sending is money first compassion later. Thusly the knee jerk reaction is a corrupt economy and poor unhappy constituents all in the hopes for the "American Dream". Now I'm not blaming the US for Nepal's predicament, I am simply analyzing the selected view in which Nepal see's us in. Just a little fruit for thought before I leave. Until next time here's the parasite that took a whole week to clear through my body and its process:

The 411

Greetings Everyone!

GUESS WHAT!?! I officially have 5 days left!!!!! I get to go home woooooooo!!! But before I leave I had to take care of some serious business yesterday, I had to extend my visa so I could leave free and clear. One of the girls left and didn't have her paperwork in order as far as having the proper visa and had to stay longer. Thusly paying $12,000 rupees that's $112 US dollars for the correction, furthermore prompting me to do the same. I went straight to the immigration office and ended up paying $48 for everything. The process seemed a lot simpler than in the US in terms of the mailing process, not to mention all the waiting required. Everything happens at a rapid pace, and plus the workers are a lot nicer than the Embassy of Nepal in the US as well....But anywho the adventures don't stop there, my computer charger decided not to work and therefore causing delays in emails as well as communication with family. So I had to buy a new charger at the bargaining price of $1600 rupees that's $16 US dollars how awesome is that!?! I was so happy I hugged the salesman. [lol] But other than that I've been enjoying the last days until arriving home, I'm getting a tattoo on Thursday and massage on Saturday. Supposedly the massage parlor is very famous due the staff:

          Seeing Hands Nepal is a UK Registered Charity. It was set up in 2005 by British founders Rob and Susan Ainley, and is backed by a global network of volunteers from trustees and members, to professional massage tutors and teachers. It is also linked to the London Institute of Sports and Remedial Massage (ISRM), which helps to induct volunteer tutors and procure equipment and course materials.Operations in Nepal are overseen by the founders, but managed by a local team of experienced staff (including blind members) who have been involved with the project since inception.SHN now employs over 17 staff (including blind therapists and sighted support staff) and as the training programme continues, this number is expected to grow. Efforts are ongoing to develop the longevity and sustainability of the organization, so in future years it can be independently run by the blind, for the blind.

So until next time you can imagine how cool and wonderful my much needed massage is going to be :D !!!!!!

Lamenting

Greetings Everyone!

I hope all is well! As you know my days are numbered, and I am slowly pulling myself together to gracefully go home I wonder....I wonder how the people of Nepal are going to progress? From education and healthcare to culture and tradition. As I advance within this internship I wonder how will Nepalese people and the government change their ways for the greater good.  As an American I feel I can and will never understand the struggle a Nepali will go through simply due lifestyle and conditioning. However, as an American I can give empathy, analysis and assistance, not so much as charity but simply to recover lost culture and regain country pride and strength. Reading through Nepali history, and watching how they became a nation of its own is more enriching then the culture itself. I just wonder, whats next for Nepal???
As an American I feel especially responsible for setting an example for understanding who we are as a nation, to show compassion and resilience within this stay. But, the task gets harder everyday primarily due to that daily challenges. A lot of the citizens here have a misconception that all Americans are rich, stupid and full of animosity towards anyone non American. But that's what is most confusing to me is how Nepali children and younger adults try their hardest to adapt to American culture, learning English, dressing with a more western style , even considering to change most of their traditions. But, what conflicts me most is why they go through all the trouble, most Nepali people will NEVER travel to the US. Believe me, I make no assumptions, I in deed asked all Nepali people I came in contact with....I wanted to know their intentions within the US and most stated " Oh no no I will never travel to the West simply because its way to expensive....So as I stated before I wonder about Nepal, why assimilate to another country standard? Do we hold that much power as a nation ? If so then, we have a lot of responsibilities to attend to...especially since we're donating $27 million. This is just a midnight lament....I just wonder what happens once I leave...do I bring awareness home, or is it an out of sight out mind experience? That's all I have for now but until next enjoy some Nepali culture....


 

   

Reality

Greetings Everyone!

So sorry about the delay in postings, between catching up with power outages and internship duties my plate has been quite full. But I'm here to tell you I am packed full of information. I recently attended a small conference with regards to the public health issues of Nepal, the information I found was alarming as far as comparing how far along the US is in making medical strides. A lot of the issues here are surrounding infections and disease that are acute such as typhoid,tuberculosis, and lung infectioins,where as within the US its more chronic diseases, such as heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes. I think the problem spans a lot from lack of true public health. I spoke to the director on the same issues and he stated that workers are set in place to enforce treatment and education for the inhabitants the live within the Himalayas. But based on the number of patients and rate of infections something isn't working.Programs are constantly being initiated to help eliminate some of the problems, but due to lack of funding and  the corrupted government a lot of what their trying to achieve is merely and dream...But what I did find most interesting was how much our US government is funding Nepal. They give Nepal $27 million every year, how crazy is that???!!! And to add insult to injury we give to MANY under developed countries. I have soooooooooo many mixed feelings concerning this matter just for the simple fact of how much we as nation are in debt, where does one even begin to find the money and time to help another place when in fact we are in soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much trouble ourselves. Furthermore, if in fact the US is donating money to Nepal why is there no representative making home visits to see where all this money is being put to work.... 10% of that money alone could take care of the pollution knocking out some of the lung infections here and maybe clearing up some of the smog within the air. The pollution within Kathmandu is so bad everyone wears masks with hopes of protecting themselves further from of the some the already caused damage. Another 20% of that donation could go towards trash clean up, do you know how much unman-aged garbage impacts ones health? Here's a snip-it from Waste Management:

 Much of the health literature on the toxicity of the individual substances highlighted above relates to occupational or accidental exposure and thus generally to higher levels of exposure than those expected from waste disposal methods. Many of the substances, such as cadmium, arsenic, chromium, nickel, dioxins and PAHs are considered to be carcinogenic, based on animal studies or studies of people exposed to high levels. Evidence that these substances cause cancer at environmental levels, however, is often absent or equivocal. In addition to carcinogenicity, many of these substances can produce other toxic effects (depending on exposure level and duration) on the central nervous system, liver, kidneys, heart, lungs, skin, reproduction, etc. For other pollutants such as SO₂ and PM₁₀, air pollution studies have indicated that there may be effects on morbidity and mortality at background levels of exposure, particularly in susceptible groups such as the elderly. Chemicals such as dioxins and organochlorines may be lipophilic and accumulate in fat-rich tissues and have been associated with reproductive or endocrine-disrupting endpoints.

Now keep in mind that 30% of the donation that's $8.1 million just give some perspective. Based on this postings I think I finally found my topic of interest to research! For the longest time I struggled with my topic as far as finding research so thusly within this posting I finally realized what I want to enlighten myself on...Public Health within Nepal. I have sooooooo many issues that need to be address but I guess I'll save the rest for next time...Until then enjoy some really cool pictures!

Paragliding in Pokhara

Monkey Temple [Buddhist Temple]

Paragliding in Pokhara 

Bhaktapur