IN NEPAL: From left, Stefan van Woerden, Carinnya Feaunati, Nathanael Lucas, Sam Illing, Miriam Whitton and Jo Burnett hope to raise $15,000 through a Bowl-a-thon to help fund this 4WD for the Anandaban Leprosy Hospital.

Six Leprosy Mission Youth Advocates recently returned from a scholarship trip in Nepal where they observed the work of the Mission with leprosy-affected communities. The Advocates stayed on the Mission’s Anandaban Hospital campus in Kathmandu and became fully immersed in learning about the medical and social implications of leprosy.

“They had the opportunity to oversee a complex reconstructive hand surgery, orthopaedics, physiotherapy, research laboratories and the rehabilitation unit at Anandaban hospital,” said Tracey Adamson, Leprosy Mission New Zealand’s Communications and Marke-ting Coordinator.

“They also travelled to meet urban and rural self-help groups hearing about the essential social and economic support in the community.”

Ms Adamson said that while on a trek in the Kathmandu Valley, the group realised the necessity for reliable transport and are now on a mission to raise funds for a new 4-wheel drive vehicle for Anandaban Hospital.

The team members all agreed it was a life-changing, as well as eye-opening experience.

Miriam Whitton, a physiotherapy student at Auckland University of Technology, said before she went on the trip she prayed she would be able to see the country and people through God’s eyes, and his heart for the work with leprosy-affected people.

Miriam said she couldn’t wait to talk to family and friends about the hospital’s location in the hills and how refreshing and beautiful it was.

One thing appreciated by the advocates while they were in Nepal was the friendliness of everyone they met.

Sam Illing, a medical student at the University of Auckland, was touched by the friendliness of patients and staff. “Everyone says Namaste (greeting) and nods their head and shows respect for you and is so friendly.

Stefan van Woerden, who studies engineering at Massey University in Albany, said he was happy that he got to see more smiles as “it reminds you that money is not the source of happiness”.

Carinnya Feaunati, who is at Victoria University in Wellington studying architecture, said she had read about the different gender roles in Nepal and it was good to see there was more equality at Anandaban Hospital with women in theatre and men cooking.

All the advocates were impressed by the leprosy-related work at the hospital.

Auckland nursing student Jo Burnett did not expect many of the staff would be qualified. She soon found however that not only were they qualified but they were very skilled in their roles and had a lot of experience.

“They not only treated but also cared for people affected by leprosy,” says Jo.

Miriam said she was particularly impressed by the calibre of staff relationship with patients, and that the Leprosy Mission approached every stage of leprosy. “There is good follow-through,” she added.

Sam was blown away by the staff’s efficiency and how they could stretch their budget to cover the work that needed to be carried out, while Jo said the significant consideration of psychology as a health issue impressed her. This included having a dedicated counsellor and regular counselling sessions for in-and out-patients.

For Carinnya the staff’s ingenuity, doing the best they can with few resources, was remarkable.

Stefan pointed out that even though they were compromised by a limited budget “their skill level is on par with anywhere in the developed world”.

Nathanael Lucas, medical student at Auckland University, couldn’t get over how everyone was thinking outside the box and making the most of what they had. “Also using what resources and skills they have efficiently and effectively, without compromising the quality of treatment.”

Jo was excited about the surgery she saw in the hospital. “I used to read lots of books about leprosy and the inspiration of Paul Brand who pioneered surgery for leprosy-affected people. It was these books that first got me into the medical field and into nursing. To see reconstructive hand surgery in action was almost unreal — an awesome experience.”

Carinnya, who also scrub-bed up and watched surgery, said she was personally challenged and this was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Miriam, Sam and Nathanael agreed that their experience has made them more aware of the real need to get people affected by leprosy back into their community and to be accepted.

Jo pointed out the need for early detection, through education and awareness, to reduce permanent disability and increase reintegration.

The team also has fond memories of being involved in daily devotions at Anandaban Hospital.

“It made me think of what it will be like in heaven when all nations and all tongues will be praising the Lord,” enthused Miriam.

Sam said it was uplifting hearing everyone sing songs in Nepali that we know and being able to sing along in English.

Carinnya really enjoyed the different language. “I go to a Samoan church in New Plymouth and the service is spoken in Samoan. It was interesting to hear devotions in a language I did not understand and yet still feel presence of God.”