|
The District of Mustang is in Nepal, north of the Himalayan Mountains high on the Tibettan Plateau. At an average of 4,000 metres it is virtually a mountain desert where villages have grown up around odd water sources. Geographical remoteness (the capital Lo Manthang is 8 days walk from a motorable road) and restricted foreign access have protected the area from many of the influences of modern development, which has both positive and negative consequences.
There is some support from the Administrative Authorities but because of the remotness of the 6,000 community, it is limited. This is further constrained by the low GDP of the Nepalese economy as a whole. On the positive side, a unique and precious culture has survived, however on the down side the people have received few of the benefits of modern medicines, education and economic development.
Local health needs are met by practitioners of Tibetan medicine, called Amchi. This ancient system of healing is still highly respected and trusted in Mustang, and other culturally Tibetan parts right across the whole 1,500 miles of the Himalayan chain. Amchi medicine has effective remedies for for the vast majority of Mustangs problems – such as respiritory problems caused by the high altitudes and the smoke in their dwellings and hypertention caused by the salty, buttered tea they frequently drink. Surgery is not performed by practioners – in the case of severe illness the people are sent to doctors qualified in biological medice.
The capital of Mustang is Lomanthang with a community of 1,200. Here 10 years ago two Buddhist Monks established a school within the capital. It progressed well attracting its maximum intake of 30 students. In April 2006 the school was registered under the Nepal Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training (CTEVT). It has a dual role. To educate the young people of Mustang and for those who demonstrate an aptitude will then provide an opportunity to study Amchi medicine. These students will graduate and seek employment initially in Mustnag but then roll their skills out to the whole larger Himalayan area.
Voluntary funding is provided for Amchi training but not for essential education.
This application is to assist in basic education upto secondary school level with a classical mix of “mainstream” subjects in line with the Nepali national curriculum, including Nepali, English, maths, science and social studies.
The school operates in the capital for 8 months of the year. The school is then located in the regional capital Pokhara where studies continue over the winter months.
Remote clinics have recently been established financed by an American based foundation.
There is now an increasing and growing need to establish an Amchi hospital/clinic in Lo Manthang to serve the population living in the capital city and across this bare land. Experienced Amchis and newly qualified students from the school will form the core staff. Their understanding of modern hygiene will help improve the health of the population in this vital area.
A significant problem is the decline in the skills to cultivate the herbs that make up the remedies used by practitioners.
This application will help provide a basic source of herbal medicines at the same time, as herbal cultivation is re-established for future use.
As the graduates venture further afield the community will benefit. One such illustration is the regular student placement with the Himalayan Eye Hospital based in Pokhara. Here students study for a period under a Rotarian Opthalmologist, from our partner club, who tutors in simple diagnostic and remedy techniques. This knowledge is little known in the remotest areas.
An additional benefit will come as women study the Amchi course work. Traditionally most herbal healers were male, women having no time to study, for they were busy with domestic work. Now this is being reversed to the huge benefit of the community. Nepal has one of the highest infant mortality rates and their new found knowledge will be of immense help. It will be an investment for the future to have women Amchis.
As the community is purely based on subsistance farming the education and health provision is provided free except contributions of food and fuel. To date financial support has been provided by a UK based charity this however is being significantly reduced. | 
