June 2008

Shanti Nepal

Let the children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to
such as these that the kingdom of God belongs”
Mark 10:14b

Dear Friends,

Man-bahadur Chepang and his 3 year old son at the Primary Health Care and Resource Center run by Shanti Nepal.

Man-bahadur Chepang was ready to leave after two weeks. He had never left his village, and this was the longest time he had been away from his family. Although the journey was not easy with his 3-year-old son, Man-bahadur was obviously thankful he had brought his son to the center.  As the father of 9, two of whom had died in infancy, he knew his last-born son now would have a chance at life.

Living in a poor rural farming village where harvests are unpredictable from year to year, hardship had struck his family. Unable to provide adequate food for his family, his youngest son became seriously malnourished. Fortunately, the Chapaguan Primary Health Care and Resource Center (PHCRC) had chosen his village for a community health project and came to the village at the right time.

Normally, when malnourished children are identified in impoverished areas every effort is made for home-based rehabilitation. Staff work with mothers to educate them about nutritional needs. Children identified as seriously malnourished are encouraged to leave the village and come to the Nutrition Rehabilitation Center (NCR). Leaving is never easy. Fear, uncertainty, trust, the unknown, and a long journey make it a challenge.

With the assistance of staff workers, Man-bahadur and his son walked six hours and then rode 40 miles by bus to reach the nutrition center. His son 3-year-old son weighed 15 and a half pounds.  Under supervision of doctors and nurses he underwent intensive rehabilitative care at the center, and thanks be to God, he began gaining weight.

Volunteer doctor working at eye clinic sponsored by Shanti Nepal and a local Lions Club.

According to national statistics in Nepal about half of the children under 3 are malnourished. Most live in remote rural hilly areas with little or no access to essential primary health care services. Shanti Nepal has a vision of delivering basic health services into hard-to-reach areas by partnering with the government, local leaders, and self-help groups. The goal is to establish sustainable outreach clinics with viable management committees within the village.

Shanti Nepal, which means “Peace,” is a Nepali, Christian, not-for-profit, social development organization founded by a team of Nepalese Christian health and development professionals with a passion to bring about wholistic transformation of poor and marginalized communities.

Shanti Nepal’s vision: “A Nepali society where people's basic needs are fulfilled and they live in peace and harmony experiencing the love of Jesus Christ.”

Shanti Nepal’s mission: “To promote wholistic development through addressing physical, social and spiritual needs of people, specifically the poor and marginalized communities in the living witness of Jesus Christ.

Boys from the neighboring monastery line up for free
eye exams.

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) supports Shanti Nepal through its International Health Ministries Office. As one of several partner churches which support Shanti Nepal, one of our greatest challenges is to discern how our ongoing support enables this work to move from dependency to self sustainability. This challenge is present in many of our historic partnerships in South Asia.

Shanti Nepal’s roots date back to 1972 when the United Mission to Nepal (UMN) started a pioneer project in this area 12 miles south of Kathmandu. In 2003, UMN began a process of transferring much of its work to independent, Nepali-run organizations. After five years, great progress has been made in Shanti Nepal.

• Please pray for the continued effectiveness of Shanti Nepal’s primary health care outreach clinics
• Pray for staff working in remote rural areas
• Pray for the transition to self sustainability and independence 
• Give thanks for this wholistic witness to Jesus Christ in Nepal.
• Pray for Nepal as it seeks political stability

We are grateful to be part of God’s mission in South Asia. Thank you for support and prayers, which sustain us as we encourage our partners in Christ.

In Christ’s Service

David, Sue, Mary Hudson

The 2008 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 87