We need your help, (well not us but some Nepali kids, you know what I mean)

Yesterday we went back to the village of Baluwa to help out with a free dentistry camp at the primary school. You will hopefully recall that we visited this school about a month ago to help deliver some water tanks and equipment kindly donated by the Rotary clubs of Matamata, Mt Maunganui and Tauraunga Te Papa. If you don't recall that you really shoud pay more attention. It was really great to see fresh clean water flowing from the new well into the new tanks.

While we were in the village some locals bought a boy named Sanker B.K. to our attention. Sanker is around 14 years old, (they are not too precise on ages in the villages) and he has a large tumour growing in a place all men can sympathise with. He is constantly in a lot of pain and even walking causes discomfort. He has been living with this for around 7 years. Sankers family is also in need of help. He is the oldest of 6 brothers, none of whom  go to school as their parents can't afford the uniforms or books, even though the school is free. Their father is a day labourer on local farms who earns 200 Rupees (less than $4) a day, based on seasonal demand. Sanker himself turns some bellows for the local blacksmith for 25 rupees a day.

While we were looking at Sanker someone mentioned that there was also another boy in the village who needs help. Little Ganga Ram is around 4 years old and walked for an hour with his 6 year old sister just to see us. His mother was working in the fields. He has trouble peeing and it is suspected he has a urinary infection. He cries every time he has to pee and he is very small for his age. It will cost 25 000 - 30 000 Rupees (NZ$450-500) for each operation. This will be performed at Dhulikhel Hospital http://www.dhulikhelhospital.org/ which is an amazing story in itself.

After this immediate need has been filled we want to provide some school books and uniforms for Sanker and his brothers as well as little Ganga when he is old enough. A scholarship will cost around NZ$100 a year.

Please help these boys out in any way you can. You don't have to contribute the full amount, any contribution will be gratefully received.

Thanks!!!

On a positive note, the dental camp was a great success with 87 patients treated during the day.  Most for fillings, some for tooth extractions. Many were also referred to Dhulikhel Hospital for root canal treatment.  There were some very big holes, but no painkillers for the fillings.  Fortunately, those requiring a tooth extraction did receive a local anesthetic.