Devastated Dolakha, shattered Shailung
We all have experienced the physical and psychological
trauma after earthquake but no one stayed there waiting for help from others
rather we stood up and started rebuilding our structure inside out. The inner
energy helped us rebuild ourselves and give helping hands to our brothers and
sisters. We might have accomplished a tiny drop of help but this was among
million drops that helped whole country move on.
After visiting Sindhupalchowk and Dhading, I was regular for
my posting in Bir hospital. After earthquake in 29th Baisakh in
Dolakha, I was thinking about going
Dolakha. Last Saturday, I got a call from my friend Binod Dhungana who is now
internist in America to join his team for Dolakha. He and his team have been
supporting earthquake affected sites. I just said ‘yes’ without thinking my
schedule in Bir Hospital. I did bag pack and was ready for Dolakha. Our team
has planned to provide relief materials and medical support. Next day in the
morning we left for Dolakha. I found my batchmates, the 21st batchers
from IOM, Rashmi Thapa (cardiologist), Prashant Tripathi (ENT surgeon), Binod
Dhungana (Physician), the team leader; it gave me extra strength to move for
Dolakha. Others were Sait Pradhan Dai and his wife, Kiran Thapa, the
coordinator, and Elizabeth from America.
We reached Charikot at 3:30 PM; no one was staying inside
the home. All the farms and playground were full of tents and we became part of
it. On the way, the earth was cracked; landslides in multiple places, the
buildings were demolished and people were under temporary shelters with hope
and determined face though. I can feel them inside out. The day is not far away
with peace and prosperity, their faces were saying. I could not cry rather I was
determined to spread my strength to help them from my side though it is tiny
help.
Next day early in the morning we moved for Shailung after
coordinating with CDO. We did not know where Shailung VDC is and the road was
unknown to us. Our leader was coordinating with local leaders there in
Shailung. We drived down to Nayapul on the bank of Tamakoshi river where the
bazaar was devastated by fires due to earthquake. We ascended up towards
Shailung asking some passersby. The road was full of mud ridges and it was
challenging to move forward. We did push our jeep on multiple sites putting
gravels and some bushes to increase friction but it did not work at the last in
Zero kilo that is two hours before reaching Shailung. The local leader sent us
a truck that carried us to Shailung and it was adventurous standing behind on
trolley and jolting every single minute along the off-road.
Finally we reached
Bhainse, Shailung VDC and every one of us has glow and smile on their face. We
are saying, yes we accomplished our journey. All people are outside the
demolished houses. When I moved my eyes around 360°, nothing could be seen
except for demolished houses, landslides crumbled roads.
Though local people were asking us for meal to take but we
decided to distribute relief materials. Friends did it and distribution was well
coordinated and we must thank those local leaders who made it happen smoothly.
It was for ward no. 3 where most of the people were dalit. After meal we conducted 4 hour health camp till 7PM. Next
morning we conducted health camp from 7 to 10 AM. Some of our friends went to
distribute relief materials in next ward.
We’d like to thank the local leaders who coordinated very
well, health post staff, army personnel and local people.
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