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Baker attends re-opening of Nepal clinic

A man relatively new to Thermopolis, Randy Baker came to town to settle some business following the death of his mother and decided to stay for a while.

Nearly 11 years ago, Baker and two friends chose to travel to the base camp at Mt. Everest, though for Baker it was the first step on a long journey. Their guide on the 2006 trip - Jagat Lama - spoke to them of the need for a hospital in the region of Nepal where he was from. Lama was inspired by his father, who had fallen ill and passed away due to not having ready access to a hospital.

Baker decided he could help out, and over the next several years he worked with other organization and people worldwide to make Lama's dream a reality. Though the struggled along the way, they were able to provide medical clinics while working to establish an actual brick-and-mortar facility.

On March 21, 2013, the Sukman Memorial Clinic officially opened.

However, just over two years later, on April 25, 2015, a 7.9 earthquake struck Nepal, severely damaging the clinic, and destroying a nearby women's clinic and a school which built following the clinic's opening. Again, the world came together to repair and rebuild the facilities, and on Feb. 19 Baker was among the guests of honor as the clinic opened its doors again.

Baker explained the clinic was damaged severely in the quake, noting the women's center and school sustained so much damaged they had to be torn down. They were built up again, however, and the clinic was repaired. He further noted the clinic had been open for some time prior to the official ceremony, and people were lining up for eye surgeries even when the building was being repaired.

Baker said the ceremony was crowded with people, pointing out many people don't have access to television so when something happens it's a huge event.

In addition to ceremonial re-opening the clinic, while Baker was visiting, a project to bring clean water to the medical facilities and the school was completed.

Following the ceremony, Baker was invited to take the first shower in the new facility at the school. The shower was installed as part of a new hygiene program there. Baker explained in many parts o

f the country the majority of the water comes from a common source shared by everyone, even if it just a pipe coming out of the ground. Though he declined the honor of the first shower, he did try it out later.

Among the other points about Nepal, Baker explained education past the fourth or fifth grade is written in English, so the majority of children and anyone with an education can read or write English fairly well. But, they don't speak it as well because they never get much opportunity to visit with those for whom English is their primary language.

Baker was approached to present a speech during the ceremony, and when asked for a copy of it Baker said it was in his head. He was required to write it down for review, as a vice president of the country was in attendance and speeches were checked to ensure nothing offensive was said.

Baker said his was the only speech interrupted by applause, and it was the only one in English. "Of course, mine was the shortest," Baker said. As for the content, Baker said it was about Lama - his guide, friend and man who would call him brother - planting a seed which became the clinic, the damage done to it and their rebuilding effort.

During his speech, Baker said he used the word "Namaste," and though the word brings with it a feeling of "we are one," he said it was not just for those at the ceremony, but everyone around the world who donated to the project.

 

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