By Tony Sharpe | Project Leader
In this remote part of the world, life is hard and lifespans short. A rich heritage and a close social structure hide inequalities with the west like easily preventable diseases and poor health issues associated with lifestyles.
Our integrated approach to these issues is slowly improving general health and attitudes. Our health clinics and birthing centres have introduced new knowledge about health matters and is changing perceptions of why things are what they are. Together with our child health education programme - Little Doctors - we have seen improvements in general health. During a measured period between 2013 and 2016 we have seen significant drops in common health disorders such as respitory and eye disorders caused by living in smoky and poorly ventilated homes. The introduction of solar and micro-hydro clean energy has cleared the atmosphere inside homes leading to improved health and lifestyles. The introduction of these new sustainable technologies has also contributed to a reduction in deforestation and supports local enterprise and enhances quality of life.
The Nepal Trust was recognised in 2005 as a world leader in this new approach at a glittering awards ceremony in Turin in front of Nobel prize winners and world famous scientists. The Trust was awarded the PremioItalGas prize for 'Projects in the Environment' in recognition of our intergrated approach to a healthy and sustainable environment.
We have built many solar and micro-hydro schemes over the years and everyone is still working and providing clean, renewable energy because we are there to fix a problem when it arises. Sadly, this is not the case with many schemes built by other agencies. When they breakdown they remain so because no one is there to fix them or the facilities are not available.
That is why our new, and unique, Service Centre is so important. Now established in Simikot, the building is ready and qualified staff identified but fitting out has still to be completed due to lack of funds. Please help if you can or get friends and colleagues excited about this project and help us to finish it. Simple things, easily fixed, become a huge problem and a great expense if the only available help is in Kathmandu or India. All being well we hope to have the SC fully operational by summer 2017. The Service Centre will eventually become a self-sustaining business dealing in and maintaining all forms of renewable energy including solar, micro-hydro, smokeless/solar ovens, Leds, etc. Where do you go to replace a light bulb or get a simple electrical repair done?
Another intergrated project we are pioneering in this area is the introduction of solar vaccine fridges to our more remote clinics. The first one has been purchased and, together with an expert team from the suppliers and our Service Centre, will be delivered and installed at the Yari clinic in North Humla as soon as the snows have cleared. Monitoring temperature in a proper refrigerator is crucial for vaccine survival and maintaining a reliable cold chain is essential.
Many thanks to all our friends and supporters. Your help and support have been essential for the progress of this important project. We hope you can continue to help and get your friends and colleagues involved. Just think what your life would be like without electricity or even a fridge to keep the beer in!
By Tony Sharpe | Project Leader
By Tony Sharpe | Project Leader
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