Rugin, Bajura, West Nepal in pictures.

Beautiful views enroute to Rugin

On the way to Rugin with Kishwor- some traditional houses

iNGO arrives in the village on Holi to give each family one goat.

Holi festival- a day off dancing and smearing red paint on each others faces.

The old grey building was the health post being used- it has no electricity. There is one store room, and a small room for seeing patients, and a delivery room. The blue and white building was started a few years before by the local politicians- however there has not been the resources to complete it- hence it lays dormant.

This is the delivery room. There were 2 deliveries in the time I was there, and both without complication. The room is dark, with the only light coming from one small window and the door if open.

‘Helping’ beat some local grains.

One of the older community members who was working on her roof top.

The local school- each family gives some money towards the education. The many rooms are bare with old benches and a blackboard. We came here to advertise a community health awareness programme.

The dedication of the healthworkers was demonstrable by their willingness to live in difficult conditions- cooking on fire in their room meant burning eyes and harsh lungs.  I would sit with a blanket over my head, while the others incredibly endured it.  Some local families get smokeless stoves installed by an international NGO working in the area. Many of the local older members, especially women, suffer with COPD as a result of the smoke.

Farewell and onward to the final village a long days walk ahead.