As you may know from reading our blog, we made a wonderful friend on our first day in Nepal, her name was Baba. She had a friend, Rupa who is a doctor at the Kanti Childrens’ Cancer Hospital in Kathmandu.
At that time we had toys to distribute, however we didn’t have enough to take to the hospital, so the boys and I had made the very difficult decision to take them to the COTS Orphanage instead, where we did some volunteer work.
Thanks to the generosity of the staff from the Gold Coast City Council, my husband, Steve arrived in Kathmandu with more than enough toys for the sick children at the hospital.
The hospital is a government hospital and the children have come from poor villages outside the Kathmandu Valley and all have cancer. They are far from home, away from family and friends and are very sad and sick. Except for today, Baba, Steve, Cody, Taiga and I, took juice, jelly, cookies, sweets and beautiful toys to give to the children. Today most of these children managed a smile.
Rupa explained to us that the cost of saving a child from a childhood cancer here is $1000. Can you believe it; $1000 can save the life of a child! Due to Nepal being a developing country it is exempt from a lot of medical taxes and given subsidies. According to Rupa, 80% of childhood cancers are curable with the correct treatment.
Since arriving in Nepal, the boys and I have been exposed to so many sad stories, that I thought we had become a little immune to the hardships some children face. However, today after we did the rounds of the children’s wards and went back to Rupa’s office, I wept. I wept for the sick children, for their concerned families and in thanks for the health of my own children.
This was one of the most touching days I have had in Nepal. Thank you so much to everyone that donated their toys to these sick children. Your beautiful gifts have given these children something to cuddle and to find some comfort with tonight.
x Lisa (blessed Mum)
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| Steve giving out some toys |
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| Thank you |
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| Cody giving out some cookies |
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| Close your eyes, it is lucky dip |
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| Giving |
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| Choosing a toy |
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| Giving out toys |
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| Steve the entertainer |
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| Cody, Steve, Rupa, Baba, Lisa and Taiga |
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| Steve and a new friend |
What a lovely way to spend your birthday Steve. A day of giving to those less fortunate than ourselves. Three cheers for the staff of the City Council. Seeing the smiles on the faces of those children will really make them appreciate how much their gifts were welcomed. We are so very proud of Lisa and the boys and now they have their father to share their adventures. Stay safe, love mum and dad.
ReplyDeleteSteve this is one birthday that will out last any others. It was certainly worth the wait to be with your family.You and the people at the City Council must be very happy to see smiles on sick children's faces.love GPs xxx
ReplyDeleteI think it is so sad to here of other people misfortune to make us realise how lucky we are to have to health, water, food,and the comfort of family and home.Love you all and give the boys a big cuddle from us Grandad and Nonna xxxxxx
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