Health Project April 2010 CompletedThis was in recognition of our work and proposed health project planned for April 2010 that the BMA (British medical Association) awarded Helen Crook (Community Children’s Nurse) and Tracey Burge (physiotherapist) a grant to facilitate their trip. Having just arrived back at the beginning of May we hope to have a report in the near future.
During their trip Helen and Tracey plan build on their work from previous visits and to review the children’s health, initiate treatment plans for the disabled children, train the carers in the homes in health promotion and first aid and transfer knowledge and skills as required. They also aim to increase links with local health professionals for the future.
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New Futures Nepal not only aims to provide a home for the children cared for in the orphanages in Kathmandu and Kalimpong but is committed to ensuring the health and welfare and emotional wellbeing of the children is met.:
New Futures Nepal links with Professional in the UK and in Nepal for advice when needed. In the past this has included;
We plan to continue to improve our links with appropriate professionals both in the UK and Nepal to the benefit of all the children we care for.
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Examples of how New Futures Nepal has helped;Several children have received surgery to aid their mobility, this has included; provision of artificial limbs, tendon surgery and reconstructive surgery. (See some individual stories below) Others have had their vision saved or improved by surgery, provision of glasses and treatment for vitamin A deficiency.
In addition we have provided bereavement advice to the staff to help them support some of the children grieving following their parents death.
 Releasing balloons in memory of loved ones
Education of the children is an important factor in helping the children to have a better future. New Futures Nepal is committed to providing education for all the children and to facilitate their future as independent adults. In 2009 our first two girls completed their education by passing their school leaving certificate. They now plan to go to college on vocational courses (i.e. nursing) and to leave the home as independent adults.
If you wish to know about education please visit the sponsor a child section |
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A new future for Anita
Anita came to the Hope centre in 2007 aged 6 years. As a baby she had been badly burned resulting in severe scarring and damage to her legs and feet. Her family had been unable to afford any medical treatment and as result her mobility was severely restricted. She could not straighten her legs, stand upright or walk but mobilised by crawling on her knees.
Following her mothers death her father found it increasingly difficult to care for her and contacted the Hope centre in search of a better future for his daughter.
Anita has subsequently very bravely endured several operations aimed at reducing her scarring and improving her mobility. Throughout this time she has shown great courage and strength of character; she is always smiling and full of energy.
After her first stage of surgery she was able to stand upright and walk with a bamboo frame however now she is the proud owner of a pair of special boots and prosthetic limb, enabling her to walk unaided for the first tie in her life.
Anita is delighted by this and her father who still visits her is also happy and thankful for the care and support she is receiving at the Hope centre. This in addition to her continued education means she now has the chance of a better future.
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Nirmala’s story
Nirmala is one of the older girls at the Hope centre. When she was 12 years old she was involved in a truck accident which killed both her parents. Both of her legs were badly injured in the accident; her right knee was also crushed and continues to give her intermittent pain, while her left leg required amputation. As a result her mobility was severely affected. When we first met Nirmala she was using a wooden crutch to move around.
Over the years New Futures Nepal has funded orthopaedic assessment and treatment, including the provision of several artificial legs as she grew. This enabled her to discard her crutches and having an artificial leg has not only improved her mobility, but also helped to increase her confidence and self esteem.
However Nirmala continued to walk with a pronounced limping gait largely due to the weight of her artificial limb and the need for some specific physiotherapy. New Futures Nepal with the help of supporters funding was able to fund physiotherapy for her and purchase an improved lightweight and more aesthetic limb which can be adjusted as she continues to grow. The combination of physiotherapy, the new limb and Nirmala’s determination means her dream of walking more normally has been realized. Nirmala is now aged 20yeras and about to leave the home to embark on higher education and an independent adult life.
New Futures Nepal through your support and the hard work of everyone at the Hope centre has indeed provided Nirmala with a new Future. We wish her well for the future
Surgery for Umesh
Umesh, who is one of the older boys living at the Hope centre, underwent surgery in May 2004 to lengthen both his Achilles tendons. Due to birth trauma, Umesh had shortened calf muscles which meant that he was unable to put both feet flat on the floor. This made walking very difficult for him. Prior to his recent surgery he could only walk on tip toes and found it very difficult to run and play games with the other children. We are pleased to say that following his successful surgery, which involved a two week stay in hospital and 6 weeks in plaster, he can now put both his feet flat on the floor and is beginning to walk normally. He continues to do his physiotherapy exercises to strengthen his weakened legs and to have follow up appointments with the hospital. His operation was funded as a result of the generous support of New Futures Nepal donors and has already made a noticeable difference to Umesh's life.
Sumitra's vision is saved
Sumitra has been living at the Hope centre for 3 years, along with her brother and sister, following the death of their parents. Sumitra unfortunately has had a malformation in her left eye since birth and had developed Glaucoma in this eye resulting in blindness. There was a real risk that she would develop Glaucoma in her right eye and subsequently become totally blind. New Futures Nepal funded for Sumitra to see several eye specialists, resulting in improved treatment to control the increasing pressure within her right eye, preventing Glaucoma from occurring. Unfortunately, the medication alone was not sufficient to control the increasing pressure in her right eye and Sumitra required an urgent right Trabeculectomy (micro-surgery)to control her eye pressure. New Futures Nepal were able to help by funding her surgery, which required a two night stay in hospital, and regular follow up appointments with her Specialist. We are pleased to report that the surgery has been successful and her eye pressure is now controlled, thereby saving her eye from further damage and loss of vision. Without funding from New Futures Nepal Sumitra would not have been able to access the treatment and surgery she required (due to the cost) and would have become blind. We aim to continue to support the cost of Sumitra's regular follow up visits to the specialist and fund any further treatment required. In addition New Futures Nepal will be funding annual vision checks for her brother and sister as there is a high incidence of Glaucoma occurring within families and we would therefore like to ensure that her siblings do not develop the same problem that Sumitra has.
