After Earthquake Medical Tour Nala-Kirtipur-Pokhara 2015-06

Dhagpo Sheydrupling Monastic School in Nala, Kavre/Nepal

Questionnaire. Dhagpo Sheydrub Ling (Nala)
Director: Sherab Gyaltsen Rinpoche
- no fatalities or injuries during the earthquake
Number of inhabitants: 105 monks and 5 employees

Medical and social conditions:
The monastery is located near Dhulikhel Hospital. The KHCP has been supporting the people, predominantly the children, for many years through funds and Medcamps. They used to live in Swayambhu near Cora and Manang gompa.
The KHCP examined and treated the inhabitants of the monastery and the people from the surrounding areas who came for help. When the KHCP was on location, a total of 35 monks and one employee with discomfort were examined. A monk was diagnosed with chronic myelitis in his left knee. He had previously been treated with antibiotics, which didn’t cure his condition. He is now treated for suspicion of tuberculosis. Many monks show signs of vitamin deficiency, which is unlikely due to their well- balanced diet. This raises the suspicion of worm infection. Sonam treated the monks with medication for worm infection no less than three months ago, but this treatment will have to be repeated. Dr. Sonam teaches the monks on basic hygiene and health care.

Building conditions:
One roof is severely damaged. The roof will require laborious and costly reconstruction. The Gompa itself is mainly intact, at least considering the load-bearing pillars. The walls, however, are cracked in many places which require repairing and supporting. The grand paintings have to be stripped off the wall where it is cracked. Restoration of such paintings will be very costly, according to Sherab Gyaltsen Rinpoche. He explicitly expressed his wishes for donations to fund this endeavour.

Other:
All of Sherab Gyaltsen Rinpoche’s institutes and monasteries received €20,000 from the KHCP to cover health care for 2015/16 and the reconstruction, as well as an additional €10,000 for the restoration of Nala Gompa.

• Screenings by Dr. Angelika and Dr. Sonam

• ... and medical teachings

• Final group photo

• Screenings by Dr. Angelika and Dr. Sonam

• Cracked paintings of the monastery

• Sleeping tents of the monastery

Kagyu Institute Buddhist Studies of Shangpa Rinpoche in Kirtipur

Questionnaire. KIBS - Kagyu Institute Buddhist Studies in Kitipur
Director: Shangpa Rinpoche
- no fatalities or injuries during the earthquake
Number of inhabitants: 40 nuns live in the nunnery but most of them are currently in Sharminup for the puja. There are 3 employees.

Medical and social conditions:
There is a hospital nearby. The KHCP has been supporting this site for many years now by providing funds and running medical camps that could also be attended by the people of the surrounding areas. This time, as in previous years, the people from the surrounding areas are in attendance and receive medical care.

Building conditions:
There are visible cracks in the Gompa but the damage appears repairable. An examination by an official state engineer has not taken place yet. The living areas are intact, except for small cracks in the plaster. As in other places, the nuns are sleeping outside in tents out of fear. Their “tents” are mere plastic sheets – the tents that were promised by Shangpha Rinpoche are on their way.

Other:
We spoke to a local politician. He told us that 20,000 people live in Kirtipur. 37 houses were damaged and 12 have been completely destroyed. Oxfam and UK Aid developed a kind of disaster relief programme for the area. In the surrounding areas of the monastery, there were 20 fatalities and more than 200 people injured. Cover for the homeless during the monsoon season is currently being planned. It has not been decided whether the monastery will receive help from the local authority.
All of Shangpa Rinpoche’s and Dupsing Rinpoche’s institutes and monasteries received €20,000 to cover health care costs for the year 2015/16 and to support the re-construction process.

Dhubgyu Chokorling Manang Monastery, Matepani, Pokhara of Sherab Gyaltsen Rinpoche

Questionnaire. Dhubgyu Chokorling Manang Monastery in Pokhara
Director: Sherab Gyaltsen Rinpoche
- no fatalities or injureies during the earthquake
Number of inhabitants: 75 monks and 4 employees live in the monastery

Medical and social situation:
The monastery is extremely clean. During our examinations, we discovered that dental hygiene was very good, and only two people need to see a dentist. All are healthy, exercise regularly and the person in charge of health and hygiene is very much in charge of the task. All inhabitants have been treated with medication for worm infections. It has been planned to conduct vaccinations. In order to avoid that medication be paid for by each individual, the KHCP has decided to provide an annual fund to cover the cost.
There are some problems regarding regular access to clean water. It is for this reason that a reservoir is being built at the spring in order to provide water for the monastery. The KHCP will consult Sherab Gyaltsen Rinpoche regarding this matter to discuss the support that can be provided.
Nyedon Rinpoche informs us that the financial situation is no longer sufficient as they are solely funded through the local community, which is now itself economically affected by the destruction of the earthquake. He also laments that, due to his low proficiency in English, he has been unable to attract bigger sponsors from the West. Although he has undergone an extensive monastic education, he never received instruction in English. The KHCP will get in touch with Rinpoche and we will see what we can do.

Building condition:
The damage caused to the monastery is minimal and has already been fixed. It only included minor scratches that had to be painted over.

Other:
As previously mentioned, Sherab Gyaltsen Rinpoche received €20,000 from the KHCP to cover the cost of health care for 2015/16. Aid will be paid as part of this sum.

• Screenings for the youngster

• Health teachings

• Final group photo

• JCM gompa

• Screenings for the monks...

• ...and the local habitants

Jangchub Choling Monastery of Dubsing Rinpoche in Pokhara

Questionnaire. Jangchub Choeling Monastery Pokhara
Director: Dupsing Rinpoche
- no fatalities or injuries during the earthquake
Number of inhabitants: Between 70 and 80 monks are currently living in the monastery. This number rises at times to up to 120. Soon the monastery is to accommodate another 10-12 monks who lived in the Gorkha region that was badly destroyed by the earthquake. There are 4 employees. The chief and her husband lost everything during the earthquake and are now also living in the monastery.

Medical and social conditions:
2-3 older monks are suffering from high blood pressure and diabetes but both conditions are already being treated, and the monks have received medication. There are no medical or hygiene-related issues.
In the case of an illness, monks are required to cover the cost for medication themselves. They finance this by saving the money they raise when selling goods in the craft shop. Furthermore, in agreement with Dupsing Rinpoche, they will receive money from the KHCP.
Dr. Sonam and Dr. Angelika examined the young monks and there were no abnormalities. Medical treatment for worm infections and vaccinations are being discussed. Dr. Sonam taught about health and hygiene.

Building condition:
Nothing happened.

Other:
The monastery is well supplied through Shangpa Rinpoche and their own shop.
They are very happy to receive the visits of the KHCP, and they wish to continue their collaboration. They expressed the wish for dental treatments as well as hygiene education.
Dupsing’s and Shangpa Rinpoche’s institutes received €20,000 from the KHCP to cover the cost of health care for 2015/16. Aid will be paid as part of this sum.