Nepal

Starting in Nepal  (1999-2002)

First, from 1999 to 2002, Mostafa and other MEPO doctors and volunteers served in Nepal, conducting health camps in outlying areas and running a free clinic in Kathmandu:

Nepal  (Clinic and Health Camps)

We began serving in Nepal in 1999 by running a free clinic in Thamel, Kathmandu. The clinic offered free medical care to rickshaw drivers, street vendors, beggars, street children, porters, and even some tourists. We provided check-ups, medicines (such as for treating worms, infections, and illnesses) , and first aid treatments (burns, cuts, injuries, etc),  and referrals for more serious cases (such as suspecting TB). This clinic ran for three years.

During this time, MEPO also organized teams of volunteer doctors to conduct health camps in remote areas all around the country. Villagers would gather from miles around, and the doctors would see upwards of 100 patients a day for 2-4 days, treating illnesses and injuries, and often providing funds to help serious cases travel to cities for hospital treatments. Over the 4 years of doing this work, MEPO provided services for around 5000 people in need of care.

MEPO also supported individuals, families and communities with food aid, medical support, transportation, and micro-enterprise projects over the years there.

After being away for 10 years (aside from short visits), in August 2012, MEPO returned for a summer of camaraderie with Nepalis who also wished to help their fellow citizens, and conducted activities such as:

  • Providing a wholesome and fun lunch for over 400 people in Kathmandu
  • Distributing financial support among flood-affected families in the Manohara slum area of Kathmandu
  • One month of food (60 kg of rice, 5 kg  of lentils, and 10 L of cooking oil) was provided to a small orphanage
  • Helping beggars near the Swayambhu temple with income generation projects and medical care

After the devastating earthquakes of 2015, MEPO returned again to offer aid and support at that critical time. MEPO served by collecting donations from individuals and then…

  • participated in free health camps
  • provided cash support to internal refugees
  • provided villagers with supplies such as mosquito nets, towels, flashlights, etc.
  • provided medical support and transportation to critical patients
  • supported a toilet-building project

To read MEPO’s blog about our time in Nepal after the earthquake: HERE