Allah Hafiz...."Goodbye time"

I am cozily tucked inside as I look out onto this rainy spring day in Maine. The daffodils are looking very spry against the fresh verdant grass. Judy is at work at Miles Hospital. It has been a few days since we have seen each other, which feels odd since were practically attached at the hip for the six weeks in Kashmir. It's hard to believe that already a week has passed since we departed from Kashmir.

As we drove down the mountain range towards Islamabad I had my head out the window to attempt to "take it all in" one last time. The flow of images is like one's brain being on a camera's motor drive. Some of the images imprinted into my mind include: the beautiful morning light across the mountains.

Children heading off for the day to school waving and flashing huge smiles
Gigantic crows hanging out like delinquents in the dead trees which have been swept by the landslides; being face to face with a truckload of chickens as we sat in momentary traffic gridlock in Chikar; the brightly painted trucks loaded to the hilt with their goods

with the sound of their melodic horns chugging up the range.

The women and girls carrying their water containers on their heads back from the spring; goats herds blocking the road. A family of gypsies on their horses; the ubiquitous family graveyards. Rubble piles with rebar sticking out like skeletal frames.

Crushed houses with tents next to them; shop fronts with the men sitting and having chai. It's all powerful imagery with accompanying smells and sounds too.

We were privileged to have had this amazing opportunity in Chikar with CDRS. Todd Shea, program director, is an inspiration for everything that he has done to contribute to this area. He has certainly been a magnet for attracting an extremely motivated, dedicated, compassionate and fun staff. We will miss them all and cherish these new friendships. It feels as though we have left family members behind.















We also hope that the programs we initiated with prenatal care, iodine deficiency disorders and other micro-nutritional deficiency disorders can be sustained, though we won't get too idealistic. It seems as though our work was like a drop in the ocean, but perhaps someday this drop might help turn the tide for this region.

In the personal realm this experience has affirmed our desire to go on more missions. Though nothing is ever perfect, it was a great opportunity for learning and challenges of all sorts.

The experience will undoubtedly continue to seep into our psyches over the coming weeks. Will we return to Kashmir? Inshallah….if Allah wills it.

Back from Kashmir. . .

Helen and Judy have returned from Kashmir, the six weeks now seeming to have flown by. At last report they were moving through JFK and expect to be back in Maine around 7 this evening. They will undoubtedly have plenty to say once the dust settles, but I just wanted to let everyone know that they are back safe and sound.

A Mission to the L.O.C.

with the Pakistan Army. . .


Last week we had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be guests of the Pakistan Army at Pandu (9,700 ft. elevation) which is an isolated area within a few kilometers from the Line of Control (L.O.C.). This is the border between Pakistan controlled Kashmir and India controlled Kashmir. The access to the area is severely limited due to the rugged mountainous terrain, landslides from the earthquake damage and harsh winters, as well as the political circumstances. Our good friends and translators, Aneela and Zubair, accompanied us.

We were there to provide care to women and children as there have not been any female health care professionals in the region for a long time. We were also requested to provide a basic needs assessment for the area. The army supplied the medications, the transportation and the security. The soldiers are extremely compassionate, committed and dedicated to providing humanitarian aid to this population, but they are hampered by limited resources. Since the army personnel are all male in this area and the women in the area refuse to be treated by males, there is subsequently a large void and deficiency in the care of women. Over the past two months there were four mother and infant deaths in childbirth. This is staggering to contemplate and just tragic.

We found the women to be totally depleted and also uneducated regarding the very basic concepts of hygiene and nutrition. The earthquake has exacerbated their plight by destroying close to 100% of their homes, buildings in the community and the bunkers. We saw babies that had not been washed since birth because the mothers believe that washing them will cause pneumonia and death. Another misconception that they hold is that putting dirt/cow dung on wounds will promote healing. A memorable patient was a 17 year old girl who came with her 10 month old baby and was 7 months pregnant. Once again, we realized that many of their health issues stem from micronutritional deficiencies and worms.

Basic education to groups of mostly women was given by Helen while Judy treated patients. People opened their very simple one room homes to be used as clinics in the four different villages we visited.

We were very fortunate to be simultaneous guests of the army along with a Turkish group from D & D, a business which provides fast response prefab buildings (www.dnd-frb.com). They were building a school for 170 children in one of the local villages. These people were inspiring with their vision and hard work. Education and health certainly go hand and hand. It's our hope that some of our public health work with micronutritional deficiencies can be implemented in some of these new schools.

Colonel Abbasi, his officers and his soldiers were terrific hosts. They entertained us with their local music and dance and it was fun to see them relaxed and out of uniform. They are all wonderful individuals and found the time to converse and take us on hikes. We heard a story that exemplifies their humanity. An Indian soldier was captured with his gun in their territory in 2003. He was released and sent back over the border, but his gun remains on display in Col. Abbasi's office.

On the final day we were allowed to target shoot with some of their weaponry----including a light machine gun (LMG) and a G3. A new experience added to our list!

It's hard to believe we will be heading home soon. We have integrated into this loving and inclusive CDRS circle. We'll miss them all and dread the goodbyes.

We truly hope that our work here can be sustained by these dedicated souls. As usual, funds are always an issue. CDRS is now able to offer tax deductible contributions online through www.globalgiving.com/1700. Please consider a donation and be assured that your money will be wisely spent to assist the delivery of good health care to very needy people.

We will be back in Maine soon and will undoubtedly have a bit of culture shock and have some reentry issues. We'll plan on posting many more photos upon our return and adding some more insights and perspectives about this life changing experience.

Though we have thoroughly enjoyed the delicious food here in Pakistan, we look forward to green salads and fruit. It will be great to see everyone and share tales.

Love, Helen and Judy