Graduation Ceremony!!

After the completion of the four week course on Understanding the Jamkjed method (I don't really like to call it a model because it's more of a methodology) we had a ceremony. For everyone here, at CRHP, I believe it was a bit of an emotional ceremony specifically because this was the first ceremony after the passing of Dr. Raj Arole, one of the founders of CRHP. Dr. Raj Arole passed away earlier this summer before the start of the program. It is so unfortunate that we did not have the privilege of meeting him.

His daughter, Dr. Shobha lead the ceremony. It was a moving ceremony where she gave us such encouraging words.  Dr. Shobha urged us to always remember the people first, to focus on being scholars, to use our brains and to not fall into the trap of academia. I must admit I felt so motivated and ready to face anything after her memorable speech. We each were called by name and given a garland, a scarf, a candle holder, and a certificate of completion.

This course will definitely help me define and finalize my place in health care!

~~~~~


Dr. Raj Arole Obituary

Waterfall Weekend Trip

These are a few pictures taken at one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Jamkhed, India.

Cost Effective Health Care

Hospital visits with Dr. Shobha are always interesting. We see such interesting cases throughout the day. The CRHP Hospital is not like a typical hospital that exists in a lot of other places. Relatives play a major role in patient care; they bring food for the patient, support them and come to visit all throughout the day. The patients’ relatives help the nurses in patient care, which improves the healing process and allows for earlier discharge. What CRHP tries to implement is called Cost-effective Secondary Care.

I feel as if US hospitals are turning into a huge profit-generating machine. Many doctors put patients through unnecessary tests and expensive drugs resulting in their personal benefit or profits. In the CRHP Hospital, the pharmacy only keeps the WHO list of essential drugs and nothing too expensive. When people need further treatment, they are usually referred to a hospital. With this the Doctors have to know the cost of drugs and lab tests to choose the most cost-effective treatments for patients.

The medical personnel believe in people’s potential and try to demystify medicine. One surgery assistant that Dr. Shobha really trusts performs better than a lot of trained nurses and he only has a fourth grade education. Patients are charged on a sliding scale based on income. Only emergent cases such as Cesarian, burn victims, surgeries, snake bites and more are admitted to the hospital. Most of the care for regular ailments are addressed at home by trained Village Health Workers.

The hospital is certain that this is the best way, for them, to be able to provide low cost and efficient health care for patients that come in.

TTYS.

"Like" CRHP on Facebook

I'm trying to bring greater awareness to the CRHP cause. I have seen first-hand the aide they provide to the people of Jamkhed, India. When back in the States, I plan to stay abreast of new developments through their status updates. I invite you to do the same... :)

The Plight of Women in Jamkhed

Your worst day could be someone's best day...

After hearing personal stories from the women that work with CRHP, I had to take a step back and think about my life and the women surrounding me.  I realized the importance of having faith and more importantly, to never lose that faith.

The level of oppression the women face in this culture is indescribable. Women are thought to be worthless. Even within the social caste system, in India, the women are beneath the untouchables.

Many Village Health Workers ("VHW") shared their stories with us. One of the stories that struck me the most was of a Shudra woman whose family couldn't gather enough money for her dowry. They finally found someone who agreed to marry her without a dowry. She was married at the age of fifteen and moved to Mumbai to live with her husband and his family. Within the first six months she was pregnant. Her husband was constantly sick so she had to take care of her husband and her baby. Her husband got so sick, she had to take him to the hospital where it was discovered that he had HIV/AIDS. He died shortly after the diagnosis. She later found out that both she and her baby were HIV positive. With this news, her in-laws did not allow her to stay with them. They believed she caused their son’s death. She tried to return to her parents but was no longer welcomed there as well. She and her baby were homeless. Eventually finding a job as a manual laborer, during the day she left her child unattended inorder to go to work. After a few weeks of the same routine, one evening she returned from a long work day to find her son dead. Feeling desolate, she attemped suicide many different times. A VHW found her and took her to the CRHP Hospital. She was very thin and sick with symptoms of HIV. She was nursed back to health at the CRHP Hospital. CRHP has greatly cared for her has prescribed a regimen of antiretroviral drugs for the past four years. Currently, she is working as a Manager on the CRHP farm.

 With the help of CRHP, she has regained confidence in life and her health. She is encouraging other people with HIV/AIDS and young girls about the plight of women in their villages.

We see these Ladies throughout our days in Jamkhed. Each one has a story to tell. Each has overcome some kind of abuse or life obstacle, yet they are still smiling and living life to its fullest. The language barrier is invisible. The very little Marathi I speak nor the little English they speak desn't hamper our understanding of each other.  It is enough for us to understand each other - woman to woman. Her story is one of many I have heard. The women struggle everyday for their wellfare, well being, and to earn their respect. While they have conquered much, there is a long road to travel. I realize that as a woman I take many of my civil liberities for granted. I now see things through different eyes.

TTYS.

The Snake Charmer

The weekends are reserved for my groups exploration of our surroundings. I love the down time we have to see India and it's beauty. Today was no exception - we saw a Snake Charmer! From what I am told, snake charming is a lost art. I'm happy I had the opportunity to see it first-hand. It was awesome! I have a ton of pics and videos to upload, but here are a few.

Pictures:

Video Snippet:

 

 Random: The gorgeous sunrise I saw this morning 

No Truer Words...

I can truly say I know what this quote means. No truer words have ever been spoken.

TTYS!

~~~

Quote By: Konrad Adenauer

Picture Credit: Flickr

Mumbai Weekend Trip

My Group

My weekend in Mumbai was great!!! I definitely got a feel for the city life in India. The crowds, nonstop honking anf the big buildings definitely reminded me a bit of NYC.  The pouring rain didn't stop us! We visited many sights in Bombay!

We visited the  Haji Ali Masjid, the Taj Palace Hotel in Colaba, Gateway of India. My group and I had the best Pizza at Pizza by the Bay. Surprisingly, it tasted even better than I thought it would. The pizza was reminiscent of the States; it was like home away from home!! There were all sorts of toppings for your pizza! Oh and we also saw the Victoria Station which was built during the British Raj.

Pizza!

Rain or Shine...

Our Hotel

Aurangabad Weekend Trip - Part II

While I told you of my adventures on our Aurangabad Weekend Trip, I neglected to show you the beauty of the caves. Here are some of my favorite pictures from the weekend.

Enjoy the sights!!

Aurangabad Weekend Trip

On the first free weekend, two weeks ago, we decided to go to Aurangabad. We visited the Ellora caves, shopped a bit and also went to the silk factory. It was a great times overall with great food.

One of the most memorable moments was my "rickshaw incident!" Before I explain what happened, let me set the scene for you...

I personally think India is at the top of the list for the worst traffic ever! If you honk your horn, it serves as a warning to everyone near you and you can then proceed erratically into which ever lane of traffic you choose, regardless of the position of the other cars around you. The mentality is, you honked so they were all forewarned. Everywhere you go, every street you hit is just a constant mass of honking chaos twenty-four hours a day. That’s the problem - it never stops! People rarely follow street lights or traffic rules. So you are at an advantage if you are either in a rickshaw or a motor bike. Every tiny or big vehicle on the road is barely held together by pieces of welded metal and completely packed with people. The population and road conditions don't help either. I can't forget the motorbikes that ride straight down the sidewalk, honking for pedestrians to move out of the way! It's a definite mess.

Back to my rickshaw experience...

To return to the hotel we decided to take a rickshaw back. The group was separated into two different rickshaws. Keeping the traffic situation in mind... the two rickshaws were driving side by side and we were not moving so i started taking pictures from my rickshaw of the whole situation. We were literally in the middle of the intersection bumperto bumper. Since we were not moving, I decided to take a picture of the other group in the neighboring rickshaw. As I am taking my picture my rickshaw decides to move forward so my hand was caught in between the two rickshaws! My camera falls o the ground. If yo know me well enough my pictures are my prized possessions. Not the least bit concerned about my arm, I started to scream at the driver to either stop or pick up my camera. I was ready to jump out of the rickshaw to get my camera. I guess he understoond and gracefully leaned over to the floor and got the camera, handed it to me and said, "Please keep your hands inside Ma'am" lol! I sat back in my seat still in amazement at what just happened. Everyone else was asking about my arm.

This was a case of riding a roller coaster ride with out a seat belt! My hand/arm are fine, No need to worry about that. I can't believe I was that concerned about my camera. I didn't realize how meaning the pictures I have taken truly are to me.

Lesson learned. No more taking pictures in a moving rickshaw in India traffic. No more.

A Wonderful Surprise

I told you guys of the sanitation issues in India last week, so you can imagine my surprise when I came across this!!!

Most probably one of the best bathrooms I have seen. The toilet situation here in India leaves much to be desired. To be honest - It's pretty disturbing.

This restroom is a luxury reserved for those of a certain caste. The poor will never see the like of this bathroom. They instead defecate on the side of the road. I am careful to avoid the feces on my morning run. Sanitation is a big issue here.

While you may not be able to tell by the picture, it's actually very clean. It's an interesting take on the modern latrine.

Thoughts?

TTYS!

The CRHP Hospital

Above is the CRHP Hospital.

I spend two days a week, Wednesdays and Thursdays at rhe CRHP Hospital. It is not a hospital by US standards and visits are reserved foe specialty care. Much of the health care is handled and treated at home, thus our trips into the villages on Mondays. Each village has a Health Worker who tends to medical needs. Hospital stays and visits are expensive and unaffordable my most in the community.

Fortunate

Although I have traveled and been on semi long vacations, I have never traveled, alone, to a foreign country for so long. I have grown so much and most importantly gained the strengh and confidence to venture to India if the opportunity presents itself. I genuinely believe that I have pushed my confidence further then ever before. Away from my comfort zone and my support system, I've had the opportunity to be the Nadege that I say and believe I am. I see the values/morals that will be with me wherever I go and have also taken note of the ones that I need to work on.

It is very easy to forget how fortunate you are. I'm thankful for this time and experience.  It has brought to light the things I need to appreciate in my life.

Observing the people of Jamkhed has shown me what selflessness and true happiness are. Despite a troubled life of many obstacles and set backs the people have had, they continue to live with such joy and determination.

 I truly believe that I am exactly where I am suppose to be. I know much more about cultural and social barriers. I feel much more prepared, mentally, for my career path. I am prepared to welcome whatever challenges, changes and opportunities that come my way. This has been an enriching experience thus far.

Donate To The Cause

If you notice on the side bar there is a new link to foster donations to CRHP in Jamkhed, India. I urge you to please make a donation to the cause. Your funds will go towards the growth and development of life saving medical programs in India.

Based on what I've seen, the villages and surrounding areas are in great need of this help. This cause is now very close to my heart.

Please remember that every little bit helps.

Link: To Donate

Thanks so much!

My Salwar Kameez

My journey proves to be one great experience after another. Remember I spoke of buying material for my Salwar Kameez? Well here is the end result. Can you believe it cost 5USD to make! I wore it to a wedding we were invited to.

What do you think?

More to come on the actual wedding I attended :)

My Observations on India's Issue Of Sanitation

Every Monday we go out and visit one of the villages around Jamkhed town. CRHP does not do their work in Jamkhed town because its mission is to serve the poorest of the poor. The majority of the project villages are in remote areas where no one wants to serve.

I am going to try to paint a picture for you of what the villages look like....

In the first village there were many small huts scattered around. The houses made from cement or bricks are for the people of a higher caste. Human and animal feces lined the sides of the roads; no drainage system, no house has a toilet. The wells are only located near the brick homes. In the second village most of the houses were built of brick and cement. Soak pits are built along the road to eliminate stagnant run-off water. the roads are pretty clean. Approximately half of the homes had toilets. but what was very interesting was that due to lack of space inside the homes, some built toilets on their rooftop!

If you ask anyone what is the biggest obstacle in helping the villages progress it is a unanimous response - SANITATION! Toilets more specifically. It's a concern that the villagers have a hard time adjusting to. This I think has to do with the culture itself.

First, you would have to understand the caste system in India. The lowest caste does the dirty work - the work that no one else wants to do. Therefore, if you as a higher caste member (example Brahmin) have a toilet in your home, who would clean it? No one wants to clean the toilet so it is easier to use a bucket and take care of your "business" in the open air. While I hear conditions have improved there are still many improvements to be made.

Is there an easy answer or solution? I personally think, for sanitary purposes, the western toilets would not be the best solution. A modern version of latrines would be best and prevent the spread of infections.


~~~~~
Photo Source: Sanitation Update

I Could Eat This Everyday!

I've finally found something I can sink my teeth into. Yup, last I spoke of food, I was having a difficult time with breakfast and the snacks;everything is spicier than I anticipated. While I've eaten Naan, on occasion, I've been totally living a vegetarian lifestyle of greens and fruit! Yeah... Can you imagine.

For the first time in two weeks I had a solid meal. It was by no exaggeration-- Amazing. What was it you ask, chic peas chipatti and okra!!!! As simple as it sounds and as needy as I was for a good meal, it was heavenly.

Thank God for small favors.
TTYS.

Reflection On What I Have Learned Thus Far

CRHP has planted a seed in me regarding community health based work. Community health was not really introduced to me until I took the Global Health course at Mount Sinai. I am seeing, first hand, the benefits of Community Health Programs during my stay here in India.

Coming from a developing country, Haiti, I completely understand the need and necessity for programs like CRHP. Such programs help the poor and marginalized to progress and develop on their own.

Other than the well known anthropologist, Paul Farmer, I have not heard of individuals doing this type of Global work in flew eloping nations and succeeding. I am completely sure that there have been NGOs that have attempted to do some work in various regions of Haiti and India; the problem is that many come for a few months then pack up and leave. They leave with their supplies and knowledge, thus leaving impoverished residents with nothing - incomplete interventions or projects. The common denominator in each case/country is lacking. The missing and most important ingredient is compassion. NGOs first need to understand the lives of the people and villages where they are based. Strategic planning coupled with knowledge and observation are essential to growth/progress for all those involved.

My coursework and personal experience thus far, have left me thinking about the subject matter in a more critical manner. There's true benefit to hands on experience!

Food for thought...

Surprise! Mickey Welcomes Me To India

Ughhhhh!!

So there is a mouse in our building. I'm grossed out and a bit disturbed. This is so new to me... Fighting off Mickey Mouse - never in my wildest dreams!

To begin my tale (no pun intended... lol), I was seeing little pellets of poop in the bathroom. The other residents were saying the pellets were from the geckos/lizards. Being that we are in India, the lizards are unavoidable! But on Friday morning, I went into the bathroom and noticed that the drain had moved. I thought that was strange, had some suspicions but shrugged off the weird vibe I got. Just as I thought, my suspicions were confirmed at breakfast. A girl in my building said a mouse ate through her plastic bag and devoured her mango! OMG, I nearly passed out... this is so out of my comfort level. It's all so new. Wow!

Please allow me to have a moment. Just this once...
We are staying in one of the worst buildings in the village!
I'm moving TODAY!
Get FOH!
Everyone knows I can't co-exist with them things (mice)!
Mommy!!!

Now that that's out of my system, I can say lucky for me I always zip up my bags and always sleep with a nightlight on!

I hear Management is putting traps around the building today. Whoa! I'll keep you posted.