My journey to the ‘World of Unknown’ Jumla by Tuka Sandwell

Radha Paudel a  Nurse who dedicated her life to improve the life of poor and marginalized people of a remote region of Nepal and  the founder president of Action Works of Nepal who kindly accepted to implement our project ‘Birthing Centre’ in Jumla.

We (Radha and myself) flew from Nepalgunj to Jumla on 23^rd Oct, enjoying the breath taking views of mountains, pristine and unspoilt vegetation of nature. While landing in Jumla airport I personally felt like I had Switzerland on the left side of it and Grand Canyon on my right. We have got all the wonders of the natural world at Jumla yet we are so poor and underprivileged in every way. Why? it is sad and beyond my comprehension. It will improve as the time passes I suppose.

View from the plane

Our real journey began on 24th October 2013 at 8am on a Bus with unlimited numbers of passengers, heavy sacks of rice on the rough road accessible only in dry season. Our first port of call was Sinja valley where according to historian ‘Khas Bhasa’  was originated here.  It takes about 6 hours from Jumla District  head quarter. We travelled for 7 hours but terminated our journey 45 minutes prior to the arrival at our destination. Despite the rough road and overcrowded bus we enjoyed the spectacular view of the hills and river.   

Patar khola in Jumla, when it cross Jumla border called Heema Heema Khola  

Stopped in Kalikot, neighboring district of Jumla

Children are on the way to Sinja valley, they asked for photo then smiled  

We were accompanied by the local headmaster of Sannigaun who was in the Dist headquarters for his personal commitments. He was our guide/saviour/free lodger etc in the area of unknown to us. We cross the Pathar Khola river at Sinja valley where we were joined by many local leaders of the village going back home after their political activities for the day. Our real journey began at 3pm on foot steadily climbing the hills and very steep hills until we were at our guide’s house by 7pm. Our path at night was surrounded by the hills, we were guided by the Jupiters in the clear sky and the sound of little night creatures. We eventually conquered the hill like Hillary and Tenzing did and came to the level of hills that had surrounded us a few hours ago.

Start of uphills to Sannigaun 

At this point of steep hills climbing in the dark, tired and in a hungry state of mind I thought Radha was insane and felt that I was in a state of losing insanity too. This concept of being insane was soon superseded by welcoming smile and the warm hospitality of our host who were dedicated for our comfort and well being all the time.

On 25^th we had an opportunity to invite local community leaders, teachers, political leaders and the local community. Unfortunately there were no women representatives at this crucial meeting as it is their harvesting season and every working age women were out to the field from the early morning.

Whomever we had a meeting with had a sad story to tell about the loss of their wives, daughter in law, daughters due to the complications of pregnancy and childbirth. We were moved to see their eagerness to help run the birthing centre which they felt the need for a few years but were unaware of the procedure to contact the right people/authority.

On principle the community were fully committed to make a success of the Birthing Centre but this has yet to be seen as we go through the different stages of its implementation.

Local leaders along with politicians

Following the meeting we had to rush to catch the bus back to Jumla because there is only one bus a day scheduled to leave at 10 am latest and we missed the bus.

But on the bright side we were overwhelmed by the gesture of the local people who kindly arranged the horse ride on our way back. We have to decline the offer because coming down hill was easy and we made in 70 minutes to Sinja valley.

  

 

Miteri Birthing Center 

On the whole this trip to Sannigaun was worth it because of three reasons:

• 1.   I saw and felt the harsh reality of everyday life of the people of Jumla and this reminded of my childhood life in Lamjung five decades ago, the memories of which were slowly disappearing within me.
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• 2.     I was an inspiration to local young school girls who wanted to follow my footsteps, study hard and become a nurse, serve the people and had a dream to go to the United Kingdom.
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• 3.      Relentless efforts of Radha to help and support the people of remote Jumla which takes great courage to carry out such tasks repeatedly without being disappointed.

I do have great respect for Radha for her passion of care, empathy and strong desire to complete the task with high standards and I wish her best for her to go from the strength to strength in her future ventures.

Lastly I would like to thank Radha for helping and guiding me to this journey of unknown even though I might have been hindrance at times. Radha you are true ambassador of a NURSE with all the superb qualities which Florence Nightingale stated.

Our host very cheerful and intelligent lady

I used the term ‘Journey to the unknown’ in the title because we had no communication with the world for those two days which is an extremely terrifying experience in this day and age when the whole world has seemingly become smaller with the advanced technology of communication even in Nepal.

We bid sad farewell to Sannigaun even the short time we met those people left great impact on us. Poor, hard working and deprived of basic rights but always happy and cheerful compared to us where we take every comfort of life as granted.

Radha organised a programme in Jumla to meet us all at Miteri Peace Garden (Peace Commemoration) 26^th October where she has already laid the foundation stone to build Peace Garden in the memory of all 267 people from different background ended their life during insurgency. This is a peaceful spot at the bank of Tila river with spectacular view of mountains and hills that surrounds Jumla district head quarter. Our IPP Mr Kul Acharya joined the meeting and kindly donated Rs 100,000.00. towards Peace Garden project where I had already donated £ 200 and raised £ 300 by selling  Radha’s book `Khalangama Hamala’, a WAR memoir, in UK  for this project. The royalty (10%) against this book has already committed  for same Peace Garden by Radha and I will be with Radha's mission as usual.

Fund raising programme is ongoing to build a building at Peace Garden with the facility of Conference hall, library, classroom for local children, guest house and meditation room. Anyone interested to donate please contact Action Works at: actionworksnepal.awon10@gmail.com or Radha at: rpaudel456@gmail.com

Miteri Peace Garden Jumla

Proactive local ladies from Jumla who wants the best of everything for Jumla.