Young people providing relief at Bir Hospital

KATHMANDU, MAY 6: Following the great earthquake, many people began to come to the door of Bir Hospital. The Trauma Center was especially overcrowded with people being rushed in with traumatic injuries. Now after 10 days, the flow of patients has steadily dropped down to calm the earlier chaos that was the hospital.

Thanks to the volunteers there, the job has only become easier for specialists. Dr Ajay Kumar Yadav of the Orthopedic section says, "Volunteers have been of tremendous help. In the beginning, there weren't many of them, so we pretty much handled everything on our own but with their presence, things became a lot easier for us. They've been helping the patients in many ways. Those patients who have lost their relatives in the disaster, the volunteers have been consoling them and even helping some of them raise funds for their treatment."


The volunteers have been working efficiently under the coordination of 'I 2 We Team'. This group helps in directing the efforts of the volunteers to where it's most needed within the hospital. They distribute donated water and other donated medicines to the patients. They also serve in the canteen, clean the floors and help transfer patients to different wards.

Even Dr Yadav confirms how well the volunteers have been working together. "Since they don't interfere with our work, they've been very resourceful—they know their jobs and are very cooperative."

Rabi Shrestha was all set to go abroad but decided to stay back and contribute to the relief and rescue operation instead. He started volunteering from the second day by building toilets in Tundikhel. Currently, he's volunteering at the hospital.

He says, "At first, everyone came here individually. Soon the number increased and we formed a team with the name 'I 2 We Team'. Now we coordinate and work together to provide better service. Some days, we stay late till night; in fact, there are some volunteers who stay all night. But now that there are fewer patients, both the volunteers and the hospital staff are experiencing lesser pressure."

Sixteen-year-old Sharon Gurung is one of the volunteers who comes to help out from 8 AM to 6 or 7 in the evening. She has been volunteering for a week now.

"Volunteering here has been satisfying and challenging at the same time. I feel lucky to be able to help all of these people. But it's also sad that I have to witness some really distressing scenarios at times. For example, there was a little girl who was covered with bruises and later her arm was paralyzed. Nonetheless, there are also some patients who are badly injured but there is still a warm smile on their faces which is inspiring," she says.

Sharon shares, "I once changed an old woman's diaper. It was difficult but at least I could be of help."

Bir Hospital has been functioning very effectively. The volunteers working there have contributed largely to its efficiency. Like it's said 'sometimes the thing that pulls us apart also brings us together.' The earthquake proved that we are united and together we're working for the better.

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