Medical School Update

One of Jinpa's main projects over the past 7 years has been to train local girls from remote areas of Yushu Prefecture. Though the training has been titled Midwifery", it has spanned all aspects of basic hygiene and healthcare.

Tashi with girls from the 2004 Midwifery course at the Yushu Medical School.

At the time of the earthquake, Jinpa had 22 girls from Nangchen County in Yushu Medical School (google earth). Naturally we were extremely worried about their well being after the earthquake and greatly relieved when we heard that all 22 girls were OK.

Tashi immediately organised transport to take the girls back to their native areas - quite an undertaking as the project specifically aims to benefit communities in remote areas, many of which are several days journey on horseback from the nearest road!

Tashi today managed to send us pictures of what is left of the medical school:

What remains of Jinpa's dormitory buildings after the earthquake, 20 April 2010.
Fortunately the girls were not inside at the time.

And for contrast: Jinpa's students queuing for lunch in the same compound, August 2004.

The school has been devastated though, loosing staff and buildings. Jinpa will need to find funding to restart this valuable project, bringing basic health-awareness to the remotest parts of Yushu County.

Jinpa Textbooks sit in the ruins of Yushu Medical School. 20 April 2010.

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