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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 | Emma Snare

The morning sunlight, through a gap in my curtain reaches onto my bed and teases my skin. I look outside the window to see beautiful blue sky above our mountain protected valley. Since last time, there is more yellow in the fields and the mustard flowers are coming into season. I am glad we are back in Bajarabarahi. The noisy bikes, trucks and polluted air of Kathmandu is left behind.

I hear a rooster crow in the distance. If you are quiet, you can also hear a buffalo – somewhere - munching his grass.

Acupuncture Relief Project  | Good Health Nepal | Emma Snare

With a tub of water I am squatting on the roof doing my washing in the fresh morning air and not-yet-hot sun. Scrubbing scrubbing, I look across the dusty road and see a lady in a house leaning over her balcony hanging her washing in the sunlight. She turns, and in Nepali scolds her son who is pinching his younger sister and who has now erupted in tears. Connected by a common understanding of humanity and of our daily chores, We look at each other and smile.

 A shop nearby has just opened. Uplifting Nepali music bounces through the village and dives into open windows as the town slowly awakens…  In the shop, I can see the middle aged man dust his counter as he prepares for a days work. He happily hums to himself in the mornings soon-to-be-warmth.  In Australia, on the other side of the world, the same sun shines. -A young surfer rises early, he bobs his head to funky tunes as he loads his surfboard to the car.

Acupuncture Relief Project  | Good Health Nepal | Emma Snare

Over my balcony there is a big grassy oval. Litter flickers silver in the sun. On the oval there are two young men playing with a new motorbike. There is one female with a baby in her arms, standing nonchalantly behind them.

Countries and cultures are different, but humans are the same. A smile brings joy and connection. Morning sunshine and music awakens spirits and inspires song. Chores still exist, children still cry and men still like motorbikes.

Patients still come to clinics. In Nepal, with feet as cracked and worn as the earth, and patterned materials as vibrant as the mustard flowered fields. In Australia, patients come. With short shorts, pink painted nails, sunglasses and thongs. 

Acupuncture Relief Project  | Good Health Nepal | Emma Snare

Through deep brown eyes ensconced with wrinkles, or through bright blue eyes laced with mascara. With hope, trust and respect. No matter the country, our patients come in search of a listening ear and compassionate heart.  

From the mountainous valleys of Nepal, to the sparkling beaches of Australia, cultures and landscapes my differ, However, the state of being 'human' connects us. The face of a frantic mum or the weary face of a hard worked farmer shares the same story. Like one melody penetrates many souls, Common humanity allows our universal hearts to beat as one.

Acupuncture Relief Project  | Good Health Nepal | Emma Snare

I tip out my tub of dirty water. The lady across the road has finished her washing also. Her children have quieted and she reclines in the shade to sip her tea. From her balcony, she glances at me. I hold up my tea cup, And together we drink as the morning sunshine begins to scorch the village. -- Emma Snare

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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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