TRIFC Volunteer Projects: Rotary USA/Nepal

Several weeks ago we participated in a wonderful ‘hands-on’ project with the staff and teachers from the Self Help Center for Children with Cerebral Palsy and many volunteers from our visiting group. We had 10 Rotarians and TRIFC volunteers from the USA along with Rotarians from the RC Himalaya-Patan and 17 enthusiastic participants from the Rotaract Club of Kathmandu Mid-Town! A Rotary matching grant recently provided specially designed tables and chairs for children and families associated with this center.

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a neurological disorder that affects muscle tone, movement, and motor skills (the ability to move in a coordinated and purposeful way). Cerebral palsy can also lead to other health issues, including vision, hearing, and speech problems, and learning disabilities. The Rotary granted tables and chairs were designed and manufactured in Nepal and allow the parents of these children to have a safe and skeletally correct place for their child to sit at home. Believe it or not, without these tables and chairs, parents who must work in the fields all day are sometimes forced to tie-up their children or dig a hole to put their children in so that they don’t hurt themselves. These are not bad parents, they just have no other options…

The children oftentimes have an intelligent mind that has been trapped inside an uncooperative body. One of the older boys – Bikash initially appeared uncommunicative and difficult to connect with. But if you looked past that, sat down next to him and asked questions he could answer them all – in English! It took some time and patience to wait for him to respond but he gave thoughtful, thorough answers. I found out later that he was even able to type essays on the computer, laying down on the floor and tapping the keyboard with his feet….the more time I spend in Nepal with children with disability, the more I learn from them!

Thanks to Rain City Rotarian and all-around crafty person- Donna Eggen, we brought materials and supplies to do a fun project with the children – decorating hand-puppets! After a brief walk through of the center and introduction of staff, teachers and children, Donna quickly instructed the volunteer group on what to do. Then everyone grabbed their materials and began working one-to-one with a child. This proved to be the perfect project for this group of children as it didn’t take to long to complete and allowed for more interaction time with the children.

TRIFC provided the funding for Rotaract transportation, logistical support and lunch for all. Many tears were shed that day but they were tears of understanding, tears of empathy, tears of joy to have had that wonderful experience with those beautiful children.