DSF Provides Holistic Healthcare in Himalayan Village of Nayal

July 26, 2015

Last week, our team of shaktis, volunteers of the Divine Shakti Foundation, headed to Nayal Village on a warm sunny afternoon. The rural village is about 40 km away from Rishikesh and located in a picturesque and abundant hilly-forests area in the mountains of in the Himalayas. With a total population of 250 members, their need access of basic medical supplies nearby is very much limited. Due to the absence of hospitals or medical shops in the village, patients have to travel 40 km to Rishikesh in case of a medical treatment. The weekly medical camp are a very special part of Divine Shakti Foundation’s (DSF) multi-faceted and diverse range of service projects, in partnership with Global Interfaith WASH Alliance and Ganga Action Parivar-Parmarth Niketan (Rishikesh). The camps and all of DSF’s medical programs are guided, blessed and inspired by Pujya Swamiji’s teaching that if we can expand our ‘I’ into ‘We,’ ‘I’llness can become ‘We’llness.

Empowered by Pujya Swamiji’s vision and mission and Sadhvi Bhagawatiji’s dedicated leadership and inspiration, Dr. Priya, weekly medical camp coordinator along with our DSF’s interns, Allison Buiser, Raenn Boreo and Swechhya Rajbhandary- from Knox College, USA, joined by our dedicated Jyotiji, Martina (Shakti), Pallavi, Vipul. The camp was organized by local coordinator Bhagat Singh . The volunteers appreciated were spellbound at the spectacular view of the hills and were warmly welcomed by warm hospitality from the villagers with tea and biscuits.

Led by Dr. Priya, the team was joined by volunteers Pallavi, Jyoti Ji, Martina (Shakti), Vipul and three young interns at Parmarth Niketan Swechhya Rajbhandary and Allison Buiser, Raenn Boreo- from Knox College, USA. Some of the volunteers safely enjoyed the wonderful scenic ride in the back of the truck, feeling the nice breeze and sights. The volunteers appreciated the spectacular view of the hills and were welcomed by warm hospitality from the villagers with tea and biscuits.

There were a total of 79 patients by the end of the day. Dr. Priya diligently saw all the patients, most patients of whom were in the age range of 60-80 years old. Upon reaching the village, a number of elderly female patients had been patiently waiting for Dr.Priya.  A majority of the were patients were treated and medicated for problems such as low and high blood pressure, knee & joint pain, worms, anemia, skin allergy, ear & eye infections, acidity, constipation, common cold and fever, etc.

Raeann took each patient’s blood pressure. Three of our volunteers, Allison, Pallavi, Swechhya, spent time with the children throughout the day and emphasized the importance of clean water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) to them. Moreover, they instructed the correct way of hand washing and brushing their teeth and were later given arewarded every child with new tooth brushes. The volunteers also delivered handmade mOM Dolls to the local children and were delighted to see the smiles and joy on the children’s faces.

Jyoti ji, a doctorate in music and dance instructor, was excited to teach the children fun dance moves with their new dolls as well as registering patients by recording their name and age. Martina and Vipul, both of whom are both yoga instructors, taught helpful breathing exercises and yoga poses to some of the elderly patients, in according accordance to their body aches and pains. Martina also spent time massaging patients with pain ointment and placing crepe bandage around patients with joint problems.

Overall, each of the volunteers had a memorable experience and felt that the joy of giving back and serving was so special, seeing the smile on the villagers faces was so inspiring and uplifting that it was through giving that they themselves were being served, blessed and healed. participating with Dr. Priya at the medical camp. Allison had said, “I love the beautiful smiles”.