• Supporting the existing initiatives of other specialist and reputable organisations, thereby ensuring the effective use of Shenpen resources.
• Selecting projects that meet clear social needs and in which the target groups participate in the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of activities.
• Supporting long-term initiatives that are able to demonstrate consistency of impact over time.
• Supporting initiatives that are cost effective i.e. that benefit the maximum number of the poor, to the greatest degree, at minimum cost.
At the heart is a spirit of volunteerism that is impartial, non-sectarian and non-political. Its ethos is based on the principles of compassion, generosity, knowledge, diligence and humility in all thought and action.
• Shenpen Health Committee:
Through the generous donations of sponsors Shenpen has been able to help the poor and disadvantaged in a number of projects since 2005. While most of the funds have supported health projects, Shenpen has also helped in the areas of education, street children and vocational skills training.
If you require further information on any of these projects please contact the committee chairs.
HEALTH INITIATIVES 2006
Medical Clinic:
The construction of a medical clinic will be started this year under the guidance of Phakchok Rinpoche. The clinic will be situated in Chapagaon, a village southeast of the Kathmandu Valley, adjacent to the Bajra Barahi Monastery, a part of Ka Nying Shedrup Ling Monastery. The Clinic will provide services to the surrounding villages and people in the area. Some of the projected services include Acupuncture, Tibetan and Chinese medicine, and Allo-pathic medicine.
Acupuncture Clinic:
This year a Canadian Acupuncturist and a Chinese doctor from Malaysia offered a free clinic to disadvantaged people and monks and nuns in Boudha, Chapagaon, Pharping, and Nagi Gonpa. The acupuncturist is currently staying in Boudha and providing free treatment to people in need. In the future she will be working from the clinic in Chapagaon and offer treatments to the local people of the area.
Dental Camps:
In March, 2006, six dentists from Singapore held free dental camps in several outlying areas of Kathmandu. They performed extractions, simple fillings, and cleanings, as well as teaching dental hygiene. They were able to treat nearly 1,000 people over a period of 6 days.
HEALTH INITIATIVES 2005
Bir Hospital Burn Unit, Kathmandu:
Shenpen is providing support to the 6-bed burn unit (since December 2005) with much needed supplies for skin grafts, debridements, and blood transfusions necessary for this type of injury. Because of limited resources and manpower, the hospital gives minimal supplies to the burn unit but does offer the space. Patient recovery is slow and involves special bathing, wound debridement, blood replacement as needed, high protein diet, and exercise. Patients stay about 1-2 months and are mostly female self-inflicted suicide burns. The staff is committed to providing the best patient care they possibly can, but are lacking the basic essentials and that is where Shenpen helps.
Mobile Clinics:
Shenpen is collaborating with Social Action Volunteers (SAV), a non-profit social organisation that helps the disadvantaged in rural areas with limited access to health care by providing mobile clinics five days a week. Their doctors, nurses and other volunteers offer free diagnosis, treatment and medicine as necessary to over 5000 people annually.
Shenpen has sponsored a mobile clinic that provides health care to people in Jyamirkot, an area in the south-east of Kathmandu Valley. Since December 2005, our mobile clinic is serving five villages with a population upwards of 8000 people.
Shahid Gangalal National Heart Hospital:
Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) remains a major public health problem in developing countries. It is one of the most common cardiac problems in Nepal. Rheumatic and congenital heart diseases are significant causes of sickness and death among Nepalese school children. A study of RHD patients from January 2002 to March 2004 found a total of 2806 RHD patients. The National Heart Hospital provides 100 mechanical valves to poor patients in Nepal every year.
In December 2005, Shenpen supported seven underprivileged children who needed valve replacements or congenital abnormalities that needed treatment. We will be sponsoring 7-8 more children in 2006.
Arsenic Bucket Project
Access to safe drinking water is central to the well-being of people. In the West clean drinking water is taken for granted, however, in Nepal it remains a significant challenge. Apart from numerous water borne diseases, the recent discovery of arsenic in the groundwater of the southern region of Nepal (Terai), continues to adversely affect the health and socio-economic conditions of Nepalese, particularly the poorest. The ingestion of arsenic contaminated water causes a number of health risks such as melanosis, gangrene and cancer. It is estimated that around 0.5 million people in the Terai are living in areas at risk of arsenic poisoning.
‘Filters for Families’ is a small organisation in Nepal that is working to address this issue. It has helped more than 4000 people, provided over 400 filters, distributed more than 2500 bottles of Vitamins in two districts and 7 villages, and has given 14 arsenic awareness workshops.
Starting in August 2005, Shenpen has sponsored 42 buckets ($20/filter bucket) for a village in Nawalparasi District (Southern Nepal). Craftsmen using local materials make these filters in the village. The filter removes more than 98% of the arsenic and provides enough water for a large family. This year Shenpen will continue to provide support for materials needed to make the filters, as well as sponsoring arsenic awareness workshops in 3 areas.
Thalassemia Blood Disease:
Since the fall of 2005 Shenpen has been providing direct support to children with Thalassemia blood disease. Thalassemia is a genetic blood disorder. People with Thalassemia are not able to make enough haemoglobin, which causes severe anaemia.
As a result of Shenpen’s donations, the medical treatment and blood work for some of the 49 registered children at Kanti Children’s Hospital in Kathmandu has been made possible.
• Shenpen Education Committee:
School Construction
Shenpen has provided financial support towards the construction of a school (Shree Panchakanya Lower Secondary School) in Budhanilkantha, Kathmandu. The committee will be visiting the school and following up on the construction.
Children with Learning Disabilities
In Nepal, children with learning disabilities do not receive the support and attention that they require. Teachers lack the skills, knowledge and resources to address their needs.
Shenpen has identified a local school (Pegasus School) near Boudhanath, Kathmandu, with children with learning disabilities. The principal and teachers have identified children in Class Two and Class Four that have learning disabilities. They recognise their lack of understanding of learning disabilities and are welcoming Shenpen support.
The committee plans to establish a working relationship with the school with an aim to help the classroom teachers develop a plan that would benefit these children. In the future plans the committee envisions providing teacher training or creating an extra class to work with these kinds of children so that they will be able to join the regular classes.
• Street Children Committee:
Shenpen is providing financial support to three established NGOs working with street children. The committee identified three areas of support and will take this opportunity to learn from these organisations.
Street Arts Programme
The Child Protection Centre Services (CPCS) is an NGO that is running a Street Arts Programme with the aim of reintegrating street children back with their families and society. It combines education and socialisation activities such as theatre, music, singing, painting, drawing and dance as a means to express themselves and their experiences. Shenpen is providing financial support but has plans in the near future to link up ‘Friends of Shenpen’ with CPCS to volunteer in the programme.
Radio Programme
Sath Sath is an NGO that has been working with street children for the past five years. Their Radio Programme focuses on street children, child rights and children’s issues to promote a positive image of street children and to prevent other children from entering street life. The reporting is done by street children themselves who have received some journalist training. It has been well received not only by street children, but other children and adults as well. This radio magazine has been able to give voice to children and their issues. Shenpen is providing support to produce 24 episodes of the Radio Programme.
Driving Training for Street Youths
JAFON is an NGO that is run and managed by former street children. Addressing street children’s educational and vocational needs towards a sustainable livelihood is a central focus for many organisations working with street children. Shenpen is providing support to three street youths to receive driver’s training and to help set them up to become ‘tempo’ (electric three-wheeler) drivers. This process requires that the youths obtain proof of their citizenship through citizenship identity cards. Such official documents are extremely important, especially for street children/youths, in order for them to be able to establish their rights and to help them be recognised in mainstream society.
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