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Nepal's instable
political situation also had an impact on the Dolpo region and shook
the population. After the attack on Dunai in Summer 2000 the Maoists
have only occasionally been visible. Nevertheless the original
feelings of sympathy for the organisation have changed more and more
to criticism, mainly due to the progressively ferocious attacks
throughout the country and the increasing extortion for protection
money. The military, who in the region has a careful approach to the
maoists, is highly esteemed at the moment. However, the insecurity
persists, because the new king has little credit and the new
minister president does not inspire confidence. In these difficult
times where corruption spreads like never before everyone is hoping
for a stabilisation of the situation and a more constructive
development.
The impacts of
the political situation on the Tapriza Culture School can mainly be
seen in aspects such as the liberty of movement and the transport of
goods. Thus regular flights have ceased to exist between Juphal
(Dolpo) and Nepalganj, where the materials for construction and
school, kerosene, rice and other provisions are purchased. The
teachers and school leaders are confronted with inflationary prices
for flights - if airplanes start at all and they manage to buy
seats.
The medical
situation at the school has improved in the last few years. In
particular the closeness of the Tibetan medical clinic has brought
relief. The children are being treated for free by the Tibetan
doctors (amchis). Furthermore the hygienic situation improved with
the new sanitary installations and the clean water. However, even
these ameliorations cannot deter all forms of sickness. Where the
Tibetan medicine does not cure, drugs and the knowledge how to
prescribe them are missing. In order to obtain a better medicinal
care in the long term we plan to give out grants to two interested
inhabitants of the region to enable them to undergo training as
nurses.
A smaller
problem is the worn school uniforms. "Children are children,
and they tear their clothes" (Semduk Lama). The school mothers
have until now sown and repaired the pupil's clothes diligently by
hand, in the future the budgeted sewing machine will be a big help
for them.
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