Update from Tom Arens

As one of the founders of Friends of Nepal Pariwar in 2006, President, and representative of the Board, I want to thank you for your generosity and support for our work through the years. Our reserve funds are adequate to meet transition expenses and therefore we are no longer accepting donations. This report is not a request for support, but it is a statement of appreciation for your help over the years to provide health and development services in underserved areas of Nepal and to create a sustainable future for the health clinics we supported, and it is a chance to reflect on accomplishments.

During the past 18 years, the health services we supported in Sindhupalchok and Ramechhap districts, and their associated clinics and medical camps, served over 200,000 patients. Annually, nurse midwives assisted an average of 165 deliveries and 490 new family planning acceptors. These clinics were the first rural clinics in Nepal to begin screening for cervical cancer and provide referral and treatment for positive cases. In the past ten years, home deliveries in areas around the clinics decreased from 90% to under 20% as women moved to delivery with a skilled nurse midwife, resulting in a significant reduction in child and maternal mortality. In addition, four communities with 300 families were provided clean drinking water from spring-fed water systems constructed by our partners with our assistance. All this has been possible from your support – Thank You.

For more information, see our most recent annual report with further updates and project accomplishments (click here).

Binda Aryal, Senior Nurse Midwife in Mulkharka Clinic, teaches a monthly health class in a local middle school.