Good news from Nepal

Last year, you brought hope to Ghusel, a village of 300 or so households nestled high in Nepal’s Himalayas. But the story of transformation in Nepal didn’t end there – and when it comes to BMS World Mission’s work alongside our incredible local partners, the narrative is never one of one-stop solutions or quick fixes – but rather long-term commitment and lasting change.

Since last year’s Good Land appeal launched, we’ve continued to hear amazing stories of lives you’ve enabled to flourish, not only in Ghusel, but from across BMS’ partners in Nepal. Here are just three of those stories. Meet Anshu, Kaku and Hari, and read about the lives you’ve transformed.

“Please do not tear off or throw my clothes away. This is my last piece of clothing.” Those were the last words that Anshu, a new mother who had given birth only seven days previously, shared before she fainted on the threshold of Chaurjahari Hospital (CHR) in Nepal. Staff at the BMS-supported hospital rushed to Anshu’s aid, determined to discover the cause of her critical condition. Beside her, her exhausted husband stood with their nine-year-old daughter, cradling the couple’s brand-new baby. Slowly, the team began to piece together what had happened.

Anshu had had a premature birth at home, just seven months into her pregnancy. Although the baby was delivered safely, Anshu bled heavily and fainted at home, leaving her husband incredibly scared. Taking his wife on his back, along with all their savings (around £71) and giving their newborn to his nine-year-old daughter, the family walked for four hours to the nearest bus stop. From there, they made the 11-hour bus journey to CHR.

Doctors examined Anshu and found remnants of placenta inside her uterus. She needed an emergency operation and blood transfusion, and CHR staff donated their own blood to save Anshu’s life.

But your support for Anshu didn’t stop there. Upon realising how little the family had to spend her on medical treatment, the team at CHR were able to offer Anshu’s care, including food support, for free during their stay. You made all this possible, and saved Anshu’s life. Thank you.

Imagine a chance encounter that leads to new beginnings for a whole village. That’s exactly what happened when staff at BMS partner Human Development Community Services, Nepal (HDCS) met Kaku, a member of the Chepang people of Nepal, on his way to tend to his farm. Kaku had happened upon a gathering of project staff members and people from a local village, discussing health and the prevention of disease. Noticing his curiosity, those gathered invited Kaku to join the meeting.

It was all new to Kaku, coming from a semi-nomadic people group which is typically thought to be one of the most marginalised in Nepal. Kaku was hooked as he began to hear about the benefits of hand-washing for the prevention of water-borne diseases, worms and typhoid, and after the session, two members of staff were invited back to Kaku’s home to chat further. Kaku received a hygiene kit, complete with soap, a comb, toothbrush, face mask, nail clippers, water purification drops, a towel and some toothpaste.

Kaku’s motivation to change his own habits was clear, but his vision for what he’d learnt went even further.

As an elder in his own community, he’s started encouraging his neighbours towards good hygiene practices too. Members of his village soon witnessed the improvement to the health of Kaku’s family – and staff at HDCS were inspired too. “Kaku was extremely thankful to the project for their small effort, which has brought him hope and the realisation of better health,” the team shares.

Imagine being a carpenter, and relying on the strength of your limbs to carve heavy furniture or move planks of wood. Then imagine one day noticing the toes in your right leg swelling, before experiencing a burning pain throughout your leg. That was the situation Hari Thapa found himself in – and knowing that his family of five were relying on him, he sought medical treatment right away. But after visiting various health institutions and trying different medicines, all Hari was left with were vast bills, with no improvement to his leg. One April, Hari tried once more to get a diagnosis, and visited BMS-supported Green Pastures Hospital for treatment. He was finally given a diagnosis of leprosy and prescribed effective medicine, but after experiencing side-effects, Hari quickly discontinued the treatment.

It wasn’t until Hari met Tham, a BMS-supported pastoral counsellor who had recovered from leprosy himself, that Hari felt confident enough to restart his treatment. By this time, he had ulcers on both legs which needed surgery and further care. Sessions with Tham have reassured Hari that his medicine is working, and have helped him process his regret at not continuing his treatment sooner. “Now he is happy and he said that his health is improving and he has learned self-care skills for his ulcer care,” say the team at Green Pastures. Thank you for being there for Hari and for enabling Tham to do his important work, too.