Chapter 2: A Plan Begins to Gel
Recruitment Begins: At least five people from the U.S. would be needed to make this work financially. A 10-day Himalayan trek following the medical camp would make this an even more desirable trip and provide a more intimate, insiders look at Nepal than what most tourists would ever get.
Alli Cecil was one of the trekkers on Dr. Del’s trip last year to Nepal. Alli’s mom, Cheryl Cecil, is the president of Southwest Medical Aid (SMA) in Tucson, Arizona, through which Dr. Del served on medical missions in Peru, Belize, Honduras and Ecuador. It was soon decided that a number of the regular SMA medical traveler-benefactors would not be able to make the strenuous trip to Nepal due to length of travel, austere living conditions, or physical difficulty of walking for hours up steep terrain. Another group of people would need to be recruited.
Over the next five months Dr. Del pulled together a team from the U.S.
* Mike Clark – Nurse Assistant, with Desert Storm military experience. (Taos, New Mexico)
* Donna LeFurgey - Search and rescue volunteer. (Taos, New Mexico.)
* Dr. Tim Strand - Optometrist, former VISTA volunteer and NOLS trained. (Whitefish, Montana)
* Sukey Pfirman - Clinical psychologist, NOLS trained and Tim’s wife. (Whitefish, Montana)
* Lin Cross – Website writer, and veteran of medical camps: Guatemala, Peru, Belize and Ecuador. Walked Camino de Santiago in 2012. www.Linscaminodesantiago.weebly.com/ (Tucson, Arizona)
Looking back on the trip Dr. Del said, “It was a joy to take people from the U.S. to see for themselves how wonderful the Nepali people are, how beautiful their country is, and the feeling and memories one has after a trip like this. Never Ending Peace And Love = NEPAL!
"In addition to Amrit’s dream of giving back to his village I realized after my return from Nepal that providing services to villagers was also a dream come true for me. We provided simple health care for villagers not otherwise available, such as dental care. The vision benefits that came about with reading/prescription glasses/cataract surgery created a real change in the lives of those in isolated areas.” For years Dr. Del has considered starting a non-profit. “Traveling to medical camps and taking photos [for presentations] to raise money [for these causes] feeds my heart and soul.” The saying is true: One gets more than one gives.
In the meantime, Dr. Del contacted the non-profit 501 (c) 3 One World One Heart Foundation founders, Joey Blue and Karla Demers, of Taos, N.M. about sponsoring the medical camp. “It was great working closely and under that wonderful non-profit foundation. What a terrific connection. http://www.oneworldoneheartfoundation.com/
"Helping to acquire medications and provide advice in medical missions with other non-profit organizations, such as Southwest Medical Aid, is rewarding. In contrast, I found it stressful being responsible for the success of a trip like this. On the other hand Kate and Amrit also shared in the burden of responsibility." Amrit Ale's business, Himalayan Quests was the primary organizer.
"Realistically it was not easy organizing, or fundraising for this medical mission half-way around the world. Money was needed to pay for Nepali-doctor/provider salaries, room and board. There were medications and supplies to purchase. We thank the U.S. donors for making this possibleid Dr. Del.
Alli Cecil was one of the trekkers on Dr. Del’s trip last year to Nepal. Alli’s mom, Cheryl Cecil, is the president of Southwest Medical Aid (SMA) in Tucson, Arizona, through which Dr. Del served on medical missions in Peru, Belize, Honduras and Ecuador. It was soon decided that a number of the regular SMA medical traveler-benefactors would not be able to make the strenuous trip to Nepal due to length of travel, austere living conditions, or physical difficulty of walking for hours up steep terrain. Another group of people would need to be recruited.
Over the next five months Dr. Del pulled together a team from the U.S.
* Mike Clark – Nurse Assistant, with Desert Storm military experience. (Taos, New Mexico)
* Donna LeFurgey - Search and rescue volunteer. (Taos, New Mexico.)
* Dr. Tim Strand - Optometrist, former VISTA volunteer and NOLS trained. (Whitefish, Montana)
* Sukey Pfirman - Clinical psychologist, NOLS trained and Tim’s wife. (Whitefish, Montana)
* Lin Cross – Website writer, and veteran of medical camps: Guatemala, Peru, Belize and Ecuador. Walked Camino de Santiago in 2012. www.Linscaminodesantiago.weebly.com/ (Tucson, Arizona)
Looking back on the trip Dr. Del said, “It was a joy to take people from the U.S. to see for themselves how wonderful the Nepali people are, how beautiful their country is, and the feeling and memories one has after a trip like this. Never Ending Peace And Love = NEPAL!
"In addition to Amrit’s dream of giving back to his village I realized after my return from Nepal that providing services to villagers was also a dream come true for me. We provided simple health care for villagers not otherwise available, such as dental care. The vision benefits that came about with reading/prescription glasses/cataract surgery created a real change in the lives of those in isolated areas.” For years Dr. Del has considered starting a non-profit. “Traveling to medical camps and taking photos [for presentations] to raise money [for these causes] feeds my heart and soul.” The saying is true: One gets more than one gives.
In the meantime, Dr. Del contacted the non-profit 501 (c) 3 One World One Heart Foundation founders, Joey Blue and Karla Demers, of Taos, N.M. about sponsoring the medical camp. “It was great working closely and under that wonderful non-profit foundation. What a terrific connection. http://www.oneworldoneheartfoundation.com/
"Helping to acquire medications and provide advice in medical missions with other non-profit organizations, such as Southwest Medical Aid, is rewarding. In contrast, I found it stressful being responsible for the success of a trip like this. On the other hand Kate and Amrit also shared in the burden of responsibility." Amrit Ale's business, Himalayan Quests was the primary organizer.
"Realistically it was not easy organizing, or fundraising for this medical mission half-way around the world. Money was needed to pay for Nepali-doctor/provider salaries, room and board. There were medications and supplies to purchase. We thank the U.S. donors for making this possibleid Dr. Del.
As a side note, while the U.S. team paid for all their personal expenses, the medical camp expenses exceeded expectations and fundraising continued after their return with garage sales, slide presentations, Facebook and website pleas.
Go to Chapter 10 if you wish to skip the 'getting there stage' and begin reading about Day #1 of the medical camp.
Go to Chapter 10 if you wish to skip the 'getting there stage' and begin reading about Day #1 of the medical camp.