Kashmir Late May

Sami and I went once again to visit Naza, up in the mountaings to see how she was doing. Her cast is off now, and it is time for her to learn how to walk properly, now that her foot is facing forward, and not at the side. As Sami worked with her, many of the villagers came to the window to see what was happening. So I went to say hello to them and took some photos of these beautiful people:

Sami laid out a grid in the hallway for Naza to walk on. She needs to learn to walk equally on both legs now, and this grid will help her do that. Sami instructed her aunt in what she needs to do. When one of Sami's patients is so far away from the Centre, it becomes very important that the children's caregivers learn how to do the therapy for the children.

We had a visitor with us that day. Andrew from Germany, a photographer, is taking some photos to help Hope Centre. He may use them in an article in Germany, and will give some to us to use on our website. His website is www.andyspyra.com

LANDSLIDE
We were heading into the mountains to visit some of Sami's patients, when the traffic stopped. We snuck past most of the cars and buses and trucks, up to the front of the line, where we learned there had been a landslide. The ambulance status means nothing now. So we waited around a while for the road to be cleared. I noticed some men working in the Sindh River below us, moving big rocks. Were they setting up some way to trap fish? Didn't look like it really. I learned later that they were setting up a trap for sand. OK. I get it now.











I took a walk over a nearby small bridge, and took some photos of the mountains we were hoping to get to...

While on the bridge, I noticed there was an Indian family trying to get a group photo. So I offered to take the photo of everyone, so no one would be left out. They were happy to accept my offer. Afterward, they wanted a photo of me with them, so I got into the action too and handed them my camera.

Right after this, it was time to give up on the landslide clearing and head back the way we came.

Around Hope Centre
Here is a photo of one of the beautiful little disabled girls with her mother. The girl comes several times a week with her mother for therapy. She cannot stand by herself, so the standing frame is put into use to help her learn to stand.

Rehana is doing well, and visited the Centre recently while Andy was there, plus Wes and Mathieu from Handicap International.Rehana had one leg 6 inches shorter than the other, before surgery.

Plowing with Oxen
I was surprised and delighted to learn that the fields are plowed still by oxen. I was determined to get a good photo of this, and when I approached one of the men plowing, to ask if I could take a photo, he replied in quite good English. He might have had a cell phone on him, too!