PROGRAM: UniBreak - Kathmandu
PROJECT: Health projects
WRITTEN BY: Liana Ross
Namaste
As the end of the second week of our placements come to a close, I thought I would you folks about the maternity hospital and Stupa hospital and I will cover the rest next week.
Ilona and I (Liana) have been loving just about every minute at the maternity hospital. The first week was spent in the postnatal ward. We weren't completely sure what there expectations would be of us and what they would let us do. Thankfully some really nice nursing students took us under their wing and we became part of the team. We were able to assist with vital signs, taking out cannuals and taking out catheters. We were even allowed to hold the babies. The second week of our placement was spent in the birthing unit which has been amazing!
Up until now neither of us had seen a real birth now we can say that we have been 7 births and even one albino baby! Next week we head to antenatal care but are hopefully going back to the birthing unit. The girls at Stupa (Gail, Anna and Sarah) have been having an amazing time there. So far they have spent time watching Endoscopes in which they saw a stomach cancer.
Endoscopes in Nepal are different to Australia in that they numb the back of the throat and down goes the camera. they have spent time in Emergency where they have seen numerous dog bites (thankfully no one from antips), stitches and kidney stones. One of the most interesting parts for them has been the freeclinic which Stupa runs for the Dolpo village people (near the Indian boarder). They come down for Heb B injections and treatments and for Physiotherapy from carrying heavy loads. Stupa have interpreters because these folk have their own dialect. The girls have been able to bond with them over biscuits and they are just lovely people.
The second group weekend away was to Chitwan National park , since it is a 6 hour bus trip was took Friday off and headed off early. I think many will agree that the bus trip was definitely an experience and a half! The two things that we were all thankful for were soft beds nd HOT showers! Saturday was spent elephant riding through the jungle where we saw rhino's, deer and lots of different birds.
The elephants were quite clever in that one of the girls dropped her drink bottle and camera case and the elephant was be to pick tem both up! The next activity was elephant bathing, the elephant which was owned by the hotel and in groups sat on the elephant and she would blow water on us and then would roll over and we would topple off! So much fun! After lunch we all canoed down the river and saw 2 big crocs! Thankfully they stayed put. We then had a choice of going on ajungle walk or going to the elephant breeding place. I think those who went would agree that it was hard seeing the elephants chained up but it was explained to us that they are taken into the jungle for a walk twice a day. They also have the only set of elephant twins in the world. Sunday morning was bird watching and a lovely walk. The bus ride home was long very long!!
We've all been spending a fair amount of time Thamel as well. Thamel is a rabbit warren of funky shops, bakeries, restaurants, bookshops and you can get pretty much anything your heart desires from here!! Were getting used to bargaining the price on things. Our favourite place by far is pumpernickels bakery where we all order the goat cheese sandwich, which by the way is amazing!!!
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