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 Latest News From Our Volunteers in Nepal

VOLUNTEER COMMUNITY CARE CLINICS IN NEPAL

Nepal remains one of the poorest countries in the world and has been plagued with political unrest and military conflict for the past decade. In 2015, a pair of major earthquakes devastated this small and fragile country. 

Since 2008, the Acupuncture Relief Project has provided over 300,000 treatments to patients living in rural villages outside of Kathmandu Nepal. Our efforts include the treatment of patients living without access to modern medical care as well as people suffering from extreme poverty, substance abuse and social disfranchisement.

Common conditions include musculoskeletal pain, digestive pain, hypertension, diabetes, stroke rehabilitation, uterine prolapse, asthma, and recovery from tuberculosis treatment, typhoid fever, and surgery.

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COMPASSION CONNECT : DOCUMENTARY SERIES

Episode 1
Rural Primary Care

In the aftermath of the 2015 Gorkha Earthquake, this episode explores the challenges of providing basic medical access for people living in rural areas.

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Episode 2
Integrated Medicine

Acupuncture Relief Project tackles complicated medical cases through accurate assessment and the cooperation of both governmental and non-governmental agencies.

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Episode 3
Working With The Government

Cooperation with the local government yields a unique opportunities to establish a new integrated medicine outpost in Bajra Barahi, Makawanpur, Nepal.

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Episode 4
Case Management

Complicated medical cases require extraordinary effort. This episode follows 4-year-old Sushmita in her battle with tuberculosis.

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Episode 5
Sober Recovery

Drug and alcohol abuse is a constant issue in both rural and urban areas of Nepal. Local customs and few treatment facilities prove difficult obstacles.

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Episode 6
The Interpreters

Interpreters help make a critical connection between patients and practitioners. This episode explores the people that make our medicine possible and what it takes to do the job.

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Episode 7
Future Doctors of Nepal

This episode looks at the people and the process of creating a new generation of Nepali rural health providers.

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Compassion Connects
2012 Pilot Episode

In this 2011, documentary, Film-maker Tristan Stoch successfully illustrates many of the complexities of providing primary medical care in a third world environment.

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From Our Blog

Acupuncture Relief Project  | Good Health Nepal | Angela Freeman

3:38AM - can’t sleep.  We have 6 days left of clinic. For those patients we see only once a week, today will be our final goodbye.  A lump forms in my throat as I write these words…I’m not ready to say goodbye. How can I slow down the hands of time…Nepali time?  The two months that I’ve been here have flown by.  I don’t want these remaining days to go at the same pace. I want to savor every moment. I want to hear more stories. I feel I've only scratched the surface. I want to embrace this beautiful community that has enriched my life so much. The generosity. The kindness. The love.  The thoughtfulness. The authenticity to which the Nepalese conduct their lives. I was not anticipating this…and I’m not ready to say goodbye.

Acupuncture Relief Project  | Good Health Nepal | Angela Freeman

I want to know why my hypertensive patient chose the vocation of a Christian pastor. Why deviate from Hinduism or Buddhism?  How my cervicalgia patient came to be a seamstress. Was that her childhood dream or a current means to an end?  Why does my osteoarthritic patient always wear button down shirts rather than the traditional clothes.  Such simple questions but I will always long for the answer if not asked.

The clinic waits in the dark; 4 beds, 12 chairs, 8 mudas, 2 supply cabinets and a small miscellaneous table soon to be filled with 5 practitioners, 100+/- patients, 4 interpreters and 3 students (and one ‘sponsored’ puppy!).  My practitioner mind now begins to worry about the same patients but through a different lens.  Will he remember the breathing techniques we discussed to ease his stress? Will she stay on her low sugar diet to control her glucose levels? Will he continue self-massage with the anti-inflammatory cream from the pharmacy and follow the dietary recommendations I have provided?

Acupuncture Relief Project  | Good Health Nepal | Angela Freeman

The next camp arrives in September. I hope my patients return. I hope the next group of practitioners can read my chart notes, understand my treatment plan (if one was provided - oops) and give my patients the love I tried to bestow upon them. I’m not ready to say goodbye. I have fallen in love with this community. Pretty good marketing strategy on Acupuncture Relief Project’s part - make em fall in love and they’ll be back!  I hope so…but for now and the remaining 6 days of clinic I will offer my professional services as an acupuncturist, my compassion and empathy as a sentient being and my heart as a curious child with a vulnerable soul.   Thank you Nepal :) --- Angela Freeman

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Our Mission

Acupuncture Relief Project, Inc. is a volunteer-based, 501(c)3 non-profit organization (Tax ID: 26-3335265). Our mission is to provide free medical support to those affected by poverty, conflict or disaster while offering an educationally meaningful experience to influence the professional development and personal growth of compassionate medical practitioners.


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