BIRGANJ, NEPAL
To show appreciation for the recent donation of 80 wheelchairs by LDS Charities, this city of 100,000 on the southern border of Nepal held a parade down its main street. The event coincided with International Disabled Day and received extensive local media coverage.
A Certificate of Appreciation, honoring LDS Charities for its work with people with disabilities, was presented to Elder Lynn R. Bradshaw, country director for LDS Charities in Nepal. The highlight of the presentation was the awarding of the proverbial "shawl" of honor, a Nepalese custom, to President Gary R. Ricks and Sister Florence Ricks of the India New Delhi Mission.
In total, 750 wheelchairs were distributed throughout Nepal in 2008. LDS Charities is collaborating with Nepal's National Rehabilitation Society for the Disabled.
The Church conducted several other humanitarian projects in Nepal in 2008. In March, relief was provided to the Goldhap Bhutanese Refugee Camp after a fire of unknown cause destroyed thousands of bamboo huts, leaving 9,000 refugees homeless. Two hundred 110-pound bags of rice were delivered in partnership with the Sushma Koirla Memorial Trust of Nepal.
In August, the Church again went into partnership with the trust in delivering 500 110-pound bags of rice and 1,000 quarts of cooking oil to the Koshi River flood victims in the Sunsari district of Nepal.
The Honorable Paramananda Jha, vice president of Nepal, expressed his country's appreciation for the Church's humanitarian efforts. He expressed hope the Church would continue its help in neglected regions of the country, such as Terai, where the city of Birganj is located.
