Siddhi Memorial Hospital, Bhaktapur

Here is where I've been volunteering - Siddhi Memorial Hospital, in Bhaktapur, 14 kms east of Kathmandu.  14 kms doesn't sound that far away, however it can take from 45 minutes to 4.5 hours to get there due to the terrain, lack of gas, full busses.....  The last week I was there, I decided to rent a mountain bike and ride there and back to Kathmandu.  Brilliant!  

I've been living here (most weeks) Monday to Friday, in the attached old age home, which has a residence for volunteers.  This incredible place was founded by Shyam, an inspiring leader, who had lost his 41/2 year old son, Siddhi, to a vehicle accident.  He died on the way to Kathmandu, as a result of a lack of local hospital services in Bhaktapur, so decided to start a project to create a place for the community, specifically targeting disadvantaged women and children.

This hospital is run on donations only, and it is quite amazing to see what Shyam has created as a result of a huge personal loss.  Shyam is one of my personal heros.

Here is a photo of the OPD - Outpatient Department, quite basic, yet it provides much needed attention to very sick kids.  Most have cases of dysentery , chest infections (especially in winter) and malnutrition.  While I've been here, I've spent time working in the OPD, in the old age home, and working with Shyam on marketing materials for the hospital to help solicit more donations.  

Here I am in the cafeteria eating the traditional daal bhat, served for both lunch and dinner at the old age home.  Most Nepalis eat this twice a day.  In this photo I'm trying to look excited, desperately trying to ignore my fourth case of GI issues, attempting to eat this very, insanely, ridiculously bland daal bhat.  Thank goodness most daal bhat is delicious and tasty, with lentils, rice, and spicy lamb or mutton, pickle (which is really a spicy chili sauce), and potatoes.