Page 34 - PC Winter 2023-24

34
PRESBYTERIAN
WINTER 2023
presbyterian.ca
Connection
PRESBYTERIAN WORLD SERVICE & DEVELOPMENT
Transforming Lives in Nepal
The partnership with PWS&D has not only bolstered INF’s health initiatives but also en- hanced their capacity to address other development challenges in Nepal. This collaboration has ena- bled INF to implement projects re- lated to disaster, climate change and livelihood support, fostering holistic development in the com- munities we serve.
The impact: meet
Soni Kusbandiya
Soni Kusbandiya, a 20-year-old resident of Gogri, a village in Dang Nepal, exemplifies the trans- formative power of this partner- ship. Diagnosed with leprosy at a young age, Soni faced rejection and isolation from her husband and in-laws. Her husband took
away her two kids and left her on her own soon after he learned that she tested positive for leprosy. However, with INF’s support, she received the necessary treatment and rehabilitation services.
Soni has been regaining her physical health as well as her confidence. She is now motivated to raise awareness in her family and community.
The International Nepal Fellow- ship’s history and its partnership with PWS&D has created a pow- erful force for change in Nepal. As we continue our relentless ef- forts to combat leprosy and uplift marginalized communities, we are reminded that compassion, partnership and dedication can truly transform lives and break barriers.
By Ram Krishna Humagain, Partnership Office for Shining Hospital INF Nepal Banke, with contributions from Mangal Tharu, Leprosy Incharge Shining Hospital INF Banke and Dhan Maya Gurung, Partnership Manager Hospital and Health Services INF Nepal.
Nepal faces a significant number of health challenges, including a persistent issue: leprosy. Amidst these challenges, the International Nepal Fellowship (INF) strives to be a beacon of hope, working tire- lessly to transform lives to bring life in all its fullness to Nepal.
INF Nepal started its leprosy- related work in Nepal in 1957 through Green Pastures Hospital in Pokhara. At that time it was es- timated that about 1% of the total population of Nepal had leprosy. The situation was not easy back then. Leprosy-affected people had to endure various forms of abuse, discrimination and humiliation. To support patients to live with digni- ty, INF Nepal provided treatment, rehabilitation, livelihood training for patients, and awareness rais- ing among families, communities
Continued from page 33
and finding opportunities to do anything. And I felt a little dis- heartened about it.
I saw the opportunity to be- come a Champion on the PWS&D website. I tried it out and found that it was a really good fit for me.
Being a Champion is just per- fect for me. It gives me the infor- mation I need and helps me stay connected.
Since you became a Champion, how has your community engaged with PWS&D?
We have a very good Mission and Outreach Committee, and they provide opportunities for the con- gregation to both give locally, and support the international work of PWS&D. I make sure to thank the congregation for their support, sometimes reading letters of grat- itude or sharing stories of impact from the PWS&D website.
Recently, I brought the call to write [the Aid for Afghanistan] letter to my congregation’s at-
and local leaders.
The partnership between INF
and PWS&D matured over the years, as both organizations shared a common goal: improving the lives of Nepal’s most vulner- able populations. Recognizing the vital work of INF, PWS&D has been suppor ting the Shining Hospital INF Banke (SHIB) since 2019, with the objective of eradicating the leprosy burden in Nepal.
A battle against leprosy
Leprosy is a less infectious com- municable disease caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium leprae. It particularly damages the skin and its peripheral nerves. The disease has been linked to a variety of su- perstitions in society. As a result, people with leprosy were driven out of their homes and villages, taken to secluded dwellings or forests, and abandoned. Although there has been significant pro- gress in this area, leprosy patients continue to experience severe so- cial stigma.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the global elimination of leprosy as a pub- lic health problem (defined as
tention. I didn’t really think it was going to have much of an effect, but it really did. People were very enthusiastic about doing that, and they were excited to show me the responses they were getting from their MPs.
It makes me realize people in the congregation are anxious to learn more. And maybe I’m the person who’s going to bring that to them.
What is the best or most inspiring part about connecting your congregation with the work of PWS&D?
It’s surprising to me the work that God can do, even when it feels like I’m not doing much. Some- times you try too hard. And actu- ally, it’s sometimes just the small things you do that make the big- gest impact on people.
I also really enjoyed the oppor- tunity to get involved with Mani- toba Council for International Cooperation as a representative
Soni Kusbandiya, a leprosy patient, after treatment. PHOTO CREDIT: INF NEPAL
a prevalence of less than one per 10,000 population) was achieved in 2000, with most na- tions, including Nepal, achieving elimination by 2010. Despite this, leprosy patients still exist—Ne- pal reported 2,394 new leprosy cases in 2021.
INF’s response with PWS&D’s support
PWS&D’s partnership with INF has been instrumental in expand- ing the reach of our health pro- grams. With PWS&D’s financial support, INF has been able to scale up its efforts in combating leprosy. The project has extended its outreach to remote and mar- ginalized communities of Banke, Bardiya and other neighbour- ing districts of Nepal and some bordering parts of India, as well, conducting awareness, early de- tection and treatment.
from PWS&D. I probably would have declined the invitation be- fore, thinking I had enough on my plate. But instead, I asked myself, “Well, where’s God taking me with this?”
Through my involvement I re- alized that you’re not alone. You have a desire to do some outreach work, and you realize there’re so many other people out there who support you.
Is there a quote
from scripture that
keeps you going as a PWS&D Champion?
We’re doing a study on the PCC’s Living Faith right now, and one of the scriptures we read is Psalm 8. “When I consider your heav- ens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man- kind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?”
It reminds me that we’ve been given a charge to help each oth-
Green Pastures Hospital in Nepal. PHOTO CREDIT: INF NEPAL
er, and the environment and the world. We’d better take it seriously. The PWS&D Champions net- work is made up of volunteer rep- resentatives from PCC churches across Canada, who involve their congregations in the work the church is doing to address pov-
erty, promote justice and build a more sustainable future for all. They encourage their com- munities to pray, advocate and share the resources God has provided. To learn more, or be- come a PWS&D Champion, visit WeRespond.ca/be-a-champion.
To kick off International Development Week, Sharyl attended a gathering of Manitoba Council for International Cooperation. PHOTO CREDIT: MCIC