More village happenings...

September 30th 

     Netra and Coolraj (another young man for the church) took us on motorcycles into yet another village area in the district.  In these areas, villages are still often separated by tribe, and each tribe can speak their own dialect (approxametly 80% of Nepalese people live in rural village areas). There are areas where our friend Netra cannot understand the dialect that locals are speaking.  

      Rural village life. Goats. Always goats.

   Typical village dwelling made of mud and wood

     We checked out a Medical Clinic which is apparently operated by a "health technician" from time to time (but was not operational that day...or many other days, so the locals told us).  Netra explained that a "health technician" is an individual who doesn't have formal medical training, but has gained knowledge and skills by default from working alongside doctors and nurses as an assistant.

    

     Coolraj and some villagers showing us

    the local medical clinic

 This medical clinic is rarely, and sporadically

operational.  For many village residents, access

to health care is either extremely limited, or

nonexistent. About half of children under age five

are severely malnourished.

     We spent much of the day riding from village to village, visiting local Pastors and their families, getting to know them, encouraging them and having times of prayer.  As with much of the plain region, there was evidence of destruction from flooding everywhere.

Coolraj (standing at left) and Netra (far right) visiting

with a local Pastor and his family

Curious kids; at first they are not so sure of

us, but crowd around as soon as the camera comes

out!

     As beautiful as this country is, there certainly are aspects that feel quit desperate. Clean drinking water and health care is scarce or nonexistent in many of the village areas, and Netra tells us that a large proportion of children in these locations die from malnutrition before the age of five (Netra took part in a project in University exploring health and nutrition of village residents). Day to day survival here is tremendously difficult. Wherever we would stop, other curious local residents would join in on our visits.  

     We stopped in on Coolraj's Mother's home, where she served raw, heavily pickled and chili-peppered minnows (eyes, scales, bones n' all) in a banana leaf bowl.

 

                                    Cute, right?

     It is common in Nepalese Hospitality for the host to NOT eat with their guests. Rather, they serve their guests and than standby or sit close, keeping flies and mosquitoes at bay with a traditional Nepalese fan. This feels strange to us, but as I said before, resistance is futile. I promise.

Coolraj's mother keeping a close eye on Netra,

Nate, and Megs, as well as keeping flies at bay

with her fan.

Coolraj's Father-in-law with his grandchildren