A kind Namaste to all our friends, sponsors, members and donators

If we are to “ reach real peace in the world, we shall have to begin with the children. ” Mahatma Gandhi ANNUAL NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2017

Annual newsletter, December 2017 Page 1 PREAMBLE

Dear members, godparents, sponsors, supporters and friends!

When preparing the foreword in this year’s The growth of our projects in Nepal including the TABLE OF annual newsletter, I wondered what I could realization of the children’s village in Bhakunde, report on. Since you, dear friends, are widely the construction of the Shree Shanta Secondary CONTENTS informed about what has been going on regarding School in the direct neighborhood, the planning the FNH and especially in the projects in Nepal via and construction of the youth hostel in Kathmandu digital media and the newsletter, I want to report as well as the primary school of our own on the on my 20 year-long lasting relationship with the grounds of the children’s village are milestones FNH. in the history of the FNH. Moreover, and you will Preamble Page 3 know that, do we support and promote various After having seen a slide presentation given by small projects in Nepal. Health Page 4-7 Alexander Schmidt on the occasion of his first visit to Nepal in March 1994, it was clear to me that I A great readiness to help could be experienced af- The FWHC board members Page 8–11 would join the next tour with him. However, at that ter the earthquake in 2007 that also affected our time I did not think of joining the project that did children’s village. This is also true for the enor- News from the Children’s Village Page 12-15 not really exist in those days because the FNH had mous donations after the earthquake in spring of not been founded yet. The foundation of the FNH the year 2015. These donations made it possible Gerhard Hanßmann, News from our Youth Hostel Page 16-19 took place in November 1995. that we could directly bring blankets and corru- Deputy Chairman gated iron to remote villages. of the FNH External Projects Page 20-22 My first trip to Nepal was in April 1996. Since I had never been to a country outside Europe before and When I look back to our beginning more than 20 Donation Actions Page 23-25 in particular not to a third-world-country, I was years ago and up to the present day, I can only say overwhelmed by the fascinating but also depres– that despite various setbacks the work of the FNH Information and closing words Page 26-27 sing impressions: happy people, beautiful land- with our today’s partner organization FWHC and scapes, but also a tremendous poverty and misery. all staff members in Nepal is an absolute success- I had to learn in the future to bring these different ful story. This has only become possible with your aspects together, in order to visit this country support over various years and therefore I want to again and again. express my thanks to all of you.

An important help in doing so was the support of The FNH-board will continue employing all finan- the project, of course. And I have been doing that cial means donated to us for the wellbeing of our since 1997 as a board member. Apart from trek- children in Nepal. king tours to the Everest and Annapurna region Dear reader, please make allowances the trips to Nepal that were always connected with I wish you a silent and peaceful Christmas and a with editorial deficiencies – a visit of the children’s village always gave me the happy new year! we do our best on a voluntary basis. feeling of supporting a really meaningful work. Gerhard Hanßmann

Namaste Annual newsletter, December 2017 Page 3 HEALTH MY IMPRESSIONS AS A VOLUNTARILY WORKING NEWLY-QUALIFIED DOCTOR IN THE CHILD REN’S VILLAGE

Shiva festival. Of course, I was told what to do by I tried to teach teachers and staff members the Despite all my concern (and maybe also Rishi’s First-Aid the others, because I had no idea of what had to bases of First Aid in practicable English and a lot concern), at the end of my time in the children’s be done. of exercises. Those participants with little know– village I held sex education for boys and girls ledge of English were helped by Rishi’s transla- separately from forms 6-8. Not only did I try to When school started again on Tuesday, I met Ka- tions. Especially funny was the exercise regarding explain physical changes during the puberty, but mal (manager of the primary school) and Tanka the recovery position. Everybody had to try and also how to behave in a relationship and the emo- (children’s village manager) for the first time. Both some were really shy. tional chaos in such a difficult time full of chan– welcomed me kindly in the children’s village and ges. And of course, the lesson “the development made proposals how they could best make use The “personal health” lessons were also very fun- of a child” could not be left out. I was relieved that of a newly-qualified doctor. We made plans for a ny. After having underlined towards the children my audience was more interested than profound- After a flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara “personal health training” that I could realize with the importance of brushing teeth, body hygiene ly shocked, however, sometimes embarrassment with clear sight and a very bumpy taxi ride children of all ages and a First Aid training for the and regular hand-washing, everybody’s hands could be stated. The biggest surprise to me was along lake Fewa, I arrived at the children’s teachers and employees of the children’s village. were treated with a special paint that was hard that the young people were really interested in Photo above: village in Bhakunde on a Friday evening. Parvati, to wash. So all the children had to wash carefully correctly “putting on” a condome and that boys Listening concentrated responsible for the guest rooms, welcomed me The remaining days of the week passed by quick- their hands with soap. Moreover, activities like e.g. did not know the term “erection”. Saskia Riedel while Saskia teaching warmly. I moved into my room, arranged my things ly; while preparing the training for the children washing hands before going to the toilet and af- and her new one sexual science and off I went for dinner in house D. The children and adults in the school rooms during day time, I ter the meals had to be sorted out into good and After all the lessons I was a little worried that the circle of friends and housemothers there welcomed me warmly. spent mornings and evenings in the houses of the bad customs, and luckily they matched everything children did no longer accept me as a part of the With a full plate of Dal Bhat and as the only one children’s village. In every house I was welcomed right. community, but these worries were not justified. equipped with a spoon, I was seated at the big ta- friendly by the housemothers and with interest by When I said goodbye early the next morning, it ble. Immediately I was asked lots of questions. The the children. Wherever I was, I felt comfortable and After good results of the first trainings and after was absolutely moving. All children came with children were curious to get to know more about quickly as a part of the house community. Every all children of the four houses had had the chance flowers and put them shyly into my hands. It was me, to look at the photos of my beloved ones on day I helped with the cleaning, participated in the to get to know me well, Kamal and I had the idea that moving that I had tears in my eyes and I was the smartphone and to practise their English. Even house meetings and played with children when that I could teach the older children sex education really sad to leave. I have found friends and com- the smaller children who could not communicate and where it was possible without any knowledge . And so I prepared a course to explain the facts of pany, people with a special warmly heartiness that with me were helped by the older children to fol- of Nepalese. life to young people with a different cultural back- was completely new to me. Thanks for these won- low the conversation in Nepali. As soon as I had ground and a different understanding regarding derful experiences. I will certainly come back! eaten up dinner, I had the honour to accompany On Friday and Saturday afternoons, I finally held sexuality, not knowing if they were prepared to the housemothers and teachers to the temple and the trainings together with Rishi, the organizer of cope with that subject. Even in Germany, sex edu- Saskia Riedel to practice religious rituals there in honour of the the children’s village. During the First Aid trainings cation is a real challenge to some teachers. Leipzig

TRADITIONAL CURES IN THE CHILDREN’S VILLAGE

In the meantime, Western therapies illnesses does not get lost and contin- If it is about vomiting, sucking pie– In case of cough and infections of different beans and shoots) can Apart from healing and curing, love and have established in Nepal and they ues being applied. The traditional Nepa– ces of orange or sweet lime can be the throat, Tulsi-tea (Indian basil) is strengthen the body’s defences. affection of our housemothers and the mainly correspond to our way of pro- lese medicine contributes enormously helpful. very effective. Apart from is tradi- understanding of the teachers are es- ceeding. They are effective in case of to the nature healing treatment and we tional-spiritual meaning among the Illnesses of the skin can be treated sential. And any illness can be better serious illnesses and emergency situ- should also benefit from it. The accompanying stomach aches Nepalese population, it has an an- with curcuma, powder of sandal- endured while being together with oth- ations, save life and even in the Hima– often can be healed with drinking a ti-bacterial effect, takes away stress wood or artemisia which all have an er children. layan range they meet the medical How simply and effectively can di- lot of warm water. and lowers the blood pressure. antiseptic effect. The neem can be standard. arrhea be treated by drinking hot used for making soaps and sham- Apart from y observations in the chil- water when we add a teaspoon of In case of constipation, you cook The immune system can be stimu– poos. dren’s village, Niranjali Lama, who has The way we make it possible that chil- sugar and a bit of salt to each glass green vegetables (spinach, garden lated by eating gooseberries that been living with us for two years, has dren can grow up in their own culture of water. The therapy can be sup- cress, radish or pumpkin leaves) till contain a lot of vitamin C. At the Masala tea seems to help for what- taught me a lot of valuable knowledge and tradition, we as doctors put an ported by eating guava (not the ripe they get smooth and add some spic- beginning of the winter season in ever ache, among others it contains on traditional medicine in Nepal. Many emphasis on the fact that traditional fruit but the one that is still green es. Rayo ko Saag, similar to green the form of sweets or mixed spic- cinnamon, cloves, ginger, carda- thanks to her. knowledge regarding the treatment of inside) or cold rice with yoghurt. cabbage, contains a lot of roughage es, they protect against colds. And mom, black pepper corns and fen- Dr. Fred Prünte and fibres and has a laxative effect. also asparagus or Kwati ko Jhol (nine nel seeds. Bonn

Namaste Annual newsletter, December 2017 Page 5 HEALTH

EYE CHECKUPS FIRST AID IN THE CHILDREN’S VILLAGE FOR OUR CHILDREN

Almost 500 students living around dedicates its work mainly to the sup- A doctor from the Himalayan Eye Hos- Thanks to God, most of the time trainings” take place in a four-week-in- knowledge is being taught and prac- the children’s village, the stu- port of women in Nepal. Apart from the pital in Pokhara examined all children our children are really healthy. terval and we do not only teach theory ticed regarding resuscitation, not only dents of the monastery school in eye checkups, they had also arranged together with a Dutch student of oph- Nevertheless, it is important to but integrate practical exercises as well. of adults but also of older children. Bhakunde and the children’s village for two computer courses for women thalmology and two helpers. They also foresee different situations if things are itself had a free checkup of their eyes in the children’s village. Since February did that for free and promised to make not that good and to evaluate the situ- How correctly temperature and pulse We as doctors are thankful when acute in the school building of the children’s 2016, the ladies of the BPW Club have regular eye checkups in the children’s ation and see what can be done without are measured is part of these trainings treatment can be initiated by skilled and village on the 28th day of April 2017. been realizing so-called Eye Camps village for free. professional medical assistance. In Ne- as well as the evaluation of the serious- knowing laypeople. Lots of complica- The FWHC had changed the school of in Pokhara and neighbouring districts. pal it is not that uncomplicated to see ness of an injury. And apart from that, tions could be avoided. This is not only the children’s village into a small eye The 4th Eye Camp had thus been rea– Maybe it is because of the favourable a doctor, the hospital is far away and the answers to the questions which true for Nepal, but for Germany as well. hospital. Our teachers organized the lized in the children’s village. nutrition and their way of life that so there are no such emergency services symptoms require immediate medical A precondition, however, is always the registration and the distribution into many children have good eyes. Only 16 that can come to the children’s village, help, when time can be taken as long continuous brushing up of knowledge the individual examination rooms. For With these eye checkups, the BPW children out of a really big crowd of 500 if necessary. as the patients are under control and and practical exercises. We therefore all staff members, this day was a great ladies want to help children with eye students had slight eye problems and supervision, what needs to be done put a high emphasis on this require- experience. problems prematurely by financing got glasses. Therefore we had the idea to give our in case of dirty wounds, how to bring ment and want it to become a perma- treatments, operations, glasses and housemothers and teachers a kind of bleedings to an end, what is recom- nent ritual in the children’s village. The eye checkup had been organized by medicine. The project is being financed At the end of the Eye Camp, there was a recommendation and manual to eva– mended in case of a nose bleed, how to the Business Professional Women Club by Michael Bauer and friends from small thankyou ceremony for all people luate the most frequent symptoms of react if a child suffers from an epileptic Regarding the prophylaxis of illnesses, of Pokhara founded in 1987. This club Baden-Baden. involved. The FNH express their thanks childhood illnesses to be able to react incident, First Aid in case of eye injuries consequently realized vaccination pro- to the BPW ladies, Michael Bauer and adequately. or strange things in the auditory canal grams and the regular checking of the friends as well as to the Himalayan Eye and many things more. vaccination status through a doctor and Hospital in Pokhara and our staff mem- Dr. Saskia Riedel and I have jointly pre- for every child are of vital importance bers for this important checkup. pared a PowerPoint presentation as a People practise with each other, cleaning and help. And this is also true for the kind of help for self-help serving as wounds properly, making correct dres– understanding of cleanliness and hy- Ms Laxmi Gurung a guideline for people involved in the sings and putting something correctly giene in the children’s houses. Pokhara, Nepal bringing up and minding of children in splints, washing out eyes correct- that might be helpful when coping ly, immobilizing extremities and so on. Dr. Fred Prünte with medical problems. These “medical Moreover, theoretical and practical Bonn

Photo left: Ganesh making a dressing for Bhawani

Photo right: Ganesh disinfecting a wound at Rishi’s knee

Namaste Annual newsletter, December 2017 Page 7 THE FWHC BOARD MEMBERS THE FWHC BOARD INTRODUCES ITSELF

RAJ KUMAR SHRESTHA MS SHARMILA RANA TANKA PRASAD GURUNG FWHC Chairman FHWC – Board member FHWC – Board member Foundation chairman of the Forum for the Welfare of Himalayan Children in Nepal Foundation member Manager of the children’s village

As a foundation chairman of the Forum I met Alexander Schmidt at the end of Without the great support through and My name is Sharmila Shrestha (Rana). I I’m Tanka Prasad Gurung, 56 years old, them. Because of the very good coop- for the Welfare of Himalayan Children 1994, when he came into my office – I the cooperation with the Freundeskreis am one of the foundation members of retired and a former member of the In- eration between the FNH and the FWHC, (FWHC) in Nepal, I have been in charge have been working in the tourism in- Nepalhilfe Deutschland these achieve- the Forum for the Welfare of Himalayan dian army. I already retired at the age it was quite easy for us to make the of the management and the develop- dustry for 28 years – and when he told ments would not have been possible. I Children (FWHC). I’m a housewife and I of 35 years. For three years, I ran my project become a big success. Gradual- ment of the organization in Nepal since me about his plans to support children personally want to thank all sponsors help my husband, Raj K. Shrestha, with brother’s hotel in Kathmandu, but this ly, the number of children rose and we then. My main targets comprise mee– in need in Nepal. I am very thankful and supporters that have helped us with his work for the organization. When– did not really make me happy. In 1994, built another house, house D. Whenever tings with people who make politically about that encounter because I also had all these activities here in Nepal, espe- ever he asks me for some suggestions, I I met Raj Kumar Shrestha and Ratna I look these children into their eyes, I relevant decisions and local politicians the strong desire to help such children. cially the board members of the FNH. am content that I can support him with Kumar Shrestha who helped our family. wonder how I can help them to face a who can help to promote our organiza- And that‘s why we started our joint Life is a process of learning and I have my best counsel and ideas to meet the It felt good to be with them. In 1996, I better future, to become independent tion’s goals. For almost 22 years, I have mission to found an NGO to help poor the feeling that we learn something new requirements of his responsible job as met Alexander Schmidt in Pokhara for and self-confident. been serving the poor and orphans in children and orphans to be brought up every day and this is also true for the a chairman of the FWHC. Since my chil- the first time. In December 1999, he of- Nepal and a lot of things could be im- and to get educated. In December 1994, realization of projects here in Nepal. dren have grown up and can spend my fered me to work for the organization I’m very happy to be in a condition to proved for these children since that I started to make relevant preparations free time with the young people in the and I thankfully accepted that offer. On work at such a beautiful place with chil- time. Some of our children could rea– for this goal. Let me say it again – I am very happy hostel, I love contributing with my ex- the first of January 2000, I started my dren, co-operative board-members lize the jobs that they had always been about our great team work and I hope periences as a mother of three children. job as a site manager for the children’s and people from Germany who are that dreaming of, some others have become My commitment for more than 22 years for much more strong team spirit in village, and since 2003 I have been a helpful and who have such a good heart. valuable staff members