Helping One Person

Recently while driving on a Thursday on the main road to Mirchaiya, Siraha, Nepal, we came across a man in an old style wheelchair seemingly stuck.  As the three of us in the truck got out we determined that the man was somewhat mute, at least he couldn’t communicate either via voice or writing and that he had a puncture in one tire.  Being somewhat “do gooders” we hoisted the man into the back of the truck and drove to Bandipur to find a repair shop.  Alas, there was nothing to be found.

We took the man to Phul Kumari Mahato Memorial Hospital in Karjanha, Siraha and proceeded to wash his clothes, dishes and other sundry items, gave him a bath in the driveway, helped him organize his money, of which he was carrying quite a lot for someone who apparently was on his own and homeless. 

I called the President of the National Federation of the Disabled in Nepal.  He connected me with an NGO in Lahan who I met with on Saturday.   Unfortunately they are a very new NGO and couldn’t offer much assistance, except for a promise to possibly get a hand cranked wheelchair. 

This NGO connected me with an NGO in Siraha City, but they only work with deaf people.  I was told by one of our doctors that this man might have leprosy and we went to Lalgadh Leprosy Services Centre at www.nlt.org.uk about one hour from Karjanha.  It looks like they will help our friend.

But, herein lies the issue that we are facing in rural areas regarding people with disability.  There are few NGOs that can really help a homeless person with a physical disability lead a dignified life.  I’ve met two men with physical disability in Karjanha Village and they live with their families who are helping them to lead a fairly “normal”, and I use this term very loosely, life.

Where are the Village Development Committees (VDCs), local health posts, etc., in assisting people with disability or for that matter the poor and uneducated?  I realize that there is the potential for help, e.g.  Karjanha VDC is working on the open defecation issue by providing a number of toilets, but it doesn’t seem to be enough. 

Over and over I’m told that Nepal is a poor country, we don’t know English, how can we do, etc.  But isn’t this really about saying, “today if I see someone with disability or I come across a woman carrying a huge load back from a forest, that I am willing to help, to lend a hand, to say I will make a difference.     Isn’t it about being pro-active and not just being an observer, thinking why should I help?

I run across this lack of pro-active attitude over and over.  Sometimes I feel as if I’m banging my head against a wall.  I understand that part of this might be cultural but isn’t this about just seeing the world around you and helping no matter  what your circumstances?

I think that it does make a difference helping one person.  Doing this repeatedly, until we don’t even think about this as an act of helping, is one path of leading one’s life.  Think about all of the hate in the world, all of the wars, the huge egos which are never filled.   Today make a difference in one person’s life; don’t worry about being thanked, just do it.  Ultimately we have the power to make the world a better place by thinking about and helping others.