Last post for 2010

Julley everyone for the last time this year...

We have just arrived home (most of us) and happy to be here. It was a great year- many successes and many challenges. Looking forward to the rest of the summer at home and to what next year may bring in Ladakh. See most of you soon...2010 team.

1) Ross & Doug checking things out at REWA (Ladakh Hilfe)

2) Some of the artistry work (directed by Ross) at the new unit- yes, drawing on the walls is allowed in Ladakh!

3) The ribbon cutting ceremony at the new unit- four top ministers came and a huge entourage of army and military police. We were interviewed for national TV too, but still haven't found the clip. It was a lot of prep for a quick ceremony but here's hoping, it had some effect for keeping the unit open for good now!

4) The final crew- Norboo, Dolma and Tsewang- we miss you already!

Cheers y'all,

2010 Team

July 24th, 2010

Julley,

1) Maureen and Beth finding their inner artists while decorating the new unit.

2) The new sign at the unit ready for tomorrow's inauguration/ribbon cutting ceremony with the Health Minister, Minister of Tourism and more big wigs from the J & K govn't!

3) Eileen, Ross and Moss (Michigan Ross) beautifying the PT room at the unit.

4) The Chief Medical Officer's first visit to the new unit.

More pics tomorrow after the big opening day!

July 24

Julley again,

A few random pics...

1) Dadul & Dorjay (past HEALTH Inc. interns) trying out the see-saw at Dhomkar School (that we helped build in 2008). This was on the day-trip to Hanu on the search for Spalzes...

2) The annual shot of the Indus and Zanskar rivers meeting

3) Marlene, Maureen and Lex ready in action for from deep-cleaning at the unit (the "before" shot...stay tuned for the "after" shots)

Fun times in Ladakh...

1) Lex & Marlene attempting the daily hitch-hike from the Chief Medical Officer's building down to the hospital- a Monty Python skit all in itself!

2) Deities dancing at the Buddhist festival at Phyang Monastery- July 10th

3) Doug & Ross doing what students do best- having fun!

Julley- talk soon,

Team 2010

Fun times at the Pediatric Unit in Leh!

1) Lex climbing in the window after Carey tried to lock her out- OT outsmarts the doc again!

2) Carey expressing his artistic side- painting a butterfly to make the unit kid-friendly.

3) Ta-da! Beth welcomes people to the new unit!

As-Salamu Alaykum (Peace be with you),

The team that went to Kargil has been back for a week where they completed a needs assessment for children with disabilities in 2 remote villages. Working with local staff, they assessed 47 children and had a great time hosted by Dr. Khan, who we met last year at the International Ladakh Studies Conference.

Here are a few photos of the time spent in Kargil...

1) Eileen singing a song to students Asha School (army school) for children with disabilities

2) The Canadian and Kargil teams with some students at Asha School

3) On the road to Kargil- Janice strikes a pose!

4) The Canadian and Kargil teams at the hospital in Sankoo- note the welcome sign!

More photos on the way...

2010 Team

more photos!

1) Janice & Ross try out the plinths in the physio room at the new unit- it takes two to work these things don't you know ;)

2) Maureen assesses a sweet little girl with hemiplegia at the unit

3) How many Canadians (& 1 Brit) fit into the Chief Medical Officer's vehicle?? Answer: 9!!

Julley,

the 2010 team

Photos from 2010!

Julley again,

We have wireless internet at our guesthouse! ... for the moment so here are some pics for viewing pleasure. More to come as the Kargil team also just returned and they have some great pics too...

1) most of the Canadian-Ladakhi team at the new pediatric disability unit at SNM Hospital

2) view of Leh palace from the tourist-taxi mecca of central Leh

3) annual view from the flight Delhi to Leh- incredible views!

2010- 1st Post

Julley everyone,

It is already week 2 and we have some great pics to show but alas, internet is intermittent at best so it may be some time before we these get posted.

Half of the team is in Kargil (about a day's drive from Leh) doing a needs assessment in some villages for children with disabilities. Kargil is a Muslim area of Ladakh and they do not get many NGOs or resources there, so our team is working with local staff for all assessments.

The other half of us have been in Leh working with the hospital here on their new "pediatric disabled unit". It is slow work, but we are making some progress. The work culture here differs a lot from home so it is challenging to say the least. We are learning how to be directive and respectful at the same time.

This is just a quick note to say hello and we will work on photos a.s.a.p.

Hope you are all having a good start to July,

2010 team (Lexy, Eileen, Beth, Marlene, Carey, Janice, Doug, Ross & Maureen)