Left: Waiting to see a foreign volunteer doctor.
Right: The children and staff of Gauri Shankar Primary School.
Below right: A child suffering from eye and skin infection.
Right: The children and staff of Gauri Shankar Primary School.
Below right: A child suffering from eye and skin infection.
The people of Nubri have Tibetan ancestry and are Vajrayana (or Tibetan) Buddhists. As the area's infrastructure development was badly neglected, the livelihoods of the people are affected. The people rely on animal husbandry, weaving, agriculture, exploitation of natural resources and more recently, by becoming porters or guides to the foreign trekkers, for generating income. As agriculture cannot sustain their livelihood, a high dependency on natural resources is constantly putting a strain on the ecosystem.
The literacy rate is low. Village schools are inadequate and have bare minimal facilities. The parents, not realising the importance of education which can open up more employment opportunities, prefer to keep their children at home to work in the fields or herd livestock. Traditionally, children can only study primary school in the village school and they will have to move on to Kathmandu for further education. Those wishing to receive a quality education will have to leave their village to attend private schools or monasteries. For children who have done so, few return to the village.
Health problems in Sama village is another major concern. Due to lack of education and basic medical knowledge, the people do not realise the importance of hygiene in preventing illnesses and what to do when they are sick. The infant mortality is high: 40% of the children die before the age of 5 from preventable diseases. Vaccinati
ons are non-existent. In every family, there will be at least a child who will die before he/she reaches 5 years old. Flu, cough, fever, diarrhoea, tapeworms in the stomachs, malnutrition and the infection are among the common ailments that affects children. Childbirth is often difficult and frequently, women died during labor. The nearest hospital is in Gorkha, a five to seven-days walk away from the village. Currently, there is only a temporary clinic to serve the Sama villagers within one of the families' home. The government provide assistance by giving medicines. However, finding a good doctor who is willing to station in the village is a real challenge.
Hence, the society's chief focus is on improving healthcare and providing quality education opportunities for the children. This will ensure that the community is given the same basic human right to healthcare, especially when sicknesses strike. A good education will also ensure that the young generation are equipped with the essential knowledge and skills to break away from the cycle of impoverishment, and at the same time, be appreciative of their cultural heritage.
ons are non-existent. In every family, there will be at least a child who will die before he/she reaches 5 years old. Flu, cough, fever, diarrhoea, tapeworms in the stomachs, malnutrition and the infection are among the common ailments that affects children. Childbirth is often difficult and frequently, women died during labor. The nearest hospital is in Gorkha, a five to seven-days walk away from the village. Currently, there is only a temporary clinic to serve the Sama villagers within one of the families' home. The government provide assistance by giving medicines. However, finding a good doctor who is willing to station in the village is a real challenge.Hence, the society's chief focus is on improving healthcare and providing quality education opportunities for the children. This will ensure that the community is given the same basic human right to healthcare, especially when sicknesses strike. A good education will also ensure that the young generation are equipped with the essential knowledge and skills to break away from the cycle of impoverishment, and at the same time, be appreciative of their cultural heritage.
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