Translated by Jürgen W. Kriks

We just collect medicaments for Nepal, which is more than necessary due to the catastrophic health care there, and is just a little bit of practiced humanity. Our efforts are possible through direct support from two physicians whom we have befriended, and indirectly through the assistance of multiple pharmaceutical companies whose representatives often give out samples of different kinds of medicines to doctors. From there, our task is to catalog, wrap up, and send the medicine by post.

This report turns out to be a very personal one, seen from a very subjective point of view, without proclaiming objective, scientific evidence. It’s just an account of our "doubled" access to a country, which perhaps might not be that unusual after all.

The term "Nepal" evokes quite different associations in different people. I will include us in this observation, since our "first" access to this country "somewhere in the Himalayas" was not that different from the normal access of ordinary tourists who decide to visit the country. We (my brother and I), two real mountain fans, were just like all fanatics—very keen on climbing as many summits as possible. However, we don’t see ourselves as mountaineering freaks, climbing mountains by hook or by crook. This passion was limited from the beginning by our monetary resources. Besides, the experience called mountain climbing surely isn’t achievable by checking off a list containing the names of famous summits. But that’s another story!

Let me return to the story at hand. After becoming very familiar with the mountains in the European Alps, we thought about getting a new kick from a more remote destination. Why this should be Nepal, I can no longer recall, but there is definitely something mystical about this term which we in some way couldn’t shake from our consciousness. This is something like what Rainer Krack writes in his handbook about Nepal:

"Nepal, a country with thousands of mountains, gods and legends: there are just a few countries in the world which have the magic attraction of this Hindu state between the 8,000 meter peaks of the Himalayas and the hot lowlands of the so-called Terai. The highest mountains on earth make it a wonder of the world and the widespread, mostly unaltered culture also spellbinds the one who just likes looking at the mountains from a more modest distance. Nepal has something for everyone, whether he/she is a climber, a culture freak or simply a holiday maker." (1994, S.7, original in German - translated by J.W.K.)

We were also rendered spellbound by this country on our first visit in 1996. We wanted to explore it and, as we had always done on former tours into other countries, we wanted to do it by ourselves. For this we chose the Helambu-Langtang Trek. But the one who likes to discover the heart of this country first gets confronted with the reality of its capital. I think many of you readers who try to recall the first hours in this city will agree with our percepts.

Kathmandu, at the very first moment, is overtaxing to normal European senses in every relation. Eyes, ears, and lungs, basically everything that comes in close contact with this city and its inhabitants will be encumbered to its limits. And therefore it’s not only the impression of a multiplex and unaltered culture that is digging in your mind, but also the impression of a society which is encumbered to its own pain threshold. Even more than that, it is a metropolis which is smothering under the weight of its own masses of men and women and their products. And so it wasn’t only the Hindu and Buddhist history all around that was fascinating us but the poverty and sense of lack that we faced, in material things as well as with regard to medical issues. We especially found the life of the street kids to be very crass and humble. It was an impression of a life that seemed to be ended before it really got a chance to begin.

During our trekking through those fascinating high-alpine landscapes of the region called Helambu and through the cleft wilderness of the Langtang Valley we were also confronted with situations which are definitely unknown in countries of the so-called "First World." The simplest medical problem can be life-threatening due to the fact that there is no medical care in the way we are used to it.

On the other side the reality paints another picture:

"Nepal paints a very grim picture regarding its children. Nearly 60 % of the total child population live the most underprivileged life where denial, neglect and exploitation are an everyday reality. The majority of Nepali children lack access to adequate nutrition, health care and education. Moreover, they are forced to enter the labour market as child labour. The majority of children in Nepal suffer greatly from hunger, malnutrition, diseases and exploitation. They are denied their childhood."

These quotes could also describe our "second" access to this fascinating country from our very personal point of view. Really getting to know a country, therefore, is more than just exploring its beautiful and touristy side. No country lives solely from its landscape and tourist attractions. It’s the general social setup and the socioeconomic reality that forms a country and its society.

That said, this is just a humble contribution, and the time spent registering, wrapping up and sending the medicaments by post is very good to handle. But for us it means more than that. It’s just a small offering for a country we have come to love despite all real-life antagonisms (or perhaps because of them). After all, as is generally known, many small drops of water can make a stone fall apart.

As Ignatio Silone once said:

"You have to take the world as it is, but you shouldn’t leave it this way."