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The Story of Service
Trek 2005, By Mr. Arnold Coster, (Leader)
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This spring
Philip, a doctor from New York and his daughter Jennifer Heinegg,
a doctor student in Canada, trekked together with his wife and
other daughter to our health post in the remote area of Patale,
Okaldungha. Patale is far away from any roads, airports,
hospitals, colleges, supermarkets etc. The inhabitants from
Patale are farmers and they grow everything they need themselves
and if they need something they don’t have it needs to be
carried in from Okaldungha. A 2 days hike from Patale, for
Nepali’s, but for westerners it is more like a three day hike.
The hike to
Patale is very beautiful, the small trail zig zags up and down
between rice paddies and cornfields with beautiful view of the
Himalayas in the background. The remoter the area becomes, the
more clear it becomes there is nothing here. If something
serious happens to you here you need to be carried out by a
porter to the nearest town. After a two day walk from the dirt
strip from Phaflu we arrived in Patale. |
Trek Member for Service Trek 2005
- Arnold Coster, Netherlands, Leader
- Maya Sherpa, Nepal, Translator
- Philip Heinegg, USA, Doctor
- Jennifer Heinegg, USA, Medical student
- Stephanie Heinegg, USA, Nurse
- Chantal Heinegg, France, Trek Director
- Jangbu Sherpa, Nepal, Initiator
- Tenzing Sherpa, Nepal, Assistance
- Lakpha Gormu Sherpa, Nepal, Cook
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In Patale we got a
warm welcome from the local inhabitants, mostly Sherpa people. Sherpa’s are know
for their strength and kindness and famous for their support of many
expeditions. Soon we headed for our health post and very quickly it became clear
why this health post is so necessary. More than 100 people where waiting for the
doctors arrival. Very quickly he and his daughter started checking people, first
we checked the people who came from far, some more than a day walk and among
them where very sick people also. In one day they checked more than 60 people
with various complains, bone fractures, allergies, pregnancies, tuberculoses
etc, but there where many more people to check. The next day they checked 30
people more, and then their time was finished. They simply could stay longer,
because of other commitments in their home country. Luckily we have two skilled
health post workers there who could continue our job. But they need help to make
our health post better! They need a regular supply of medicine; regular visits
of doctors; more schooling and get more experience by working together with a
doctor. Can you help us? So next time we can help all the people from Patale!
Please check out our website and the pictures of our last visit |
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