Saga Charitable Trust
The Friendship Clinic
On the edge of the Royal Chitwan National Park, in the town of Meghauli. The Friendship Clinic, started by UK couple, Beryl and Peter Shore, plays a vital role in providing healthcare to local communities.
After losing their way whilst backpacking in 1987, the Shore’s were helped by a young Boy Scout, who took them to the safety of his family’s home. After returning to the UK, they kept in touch with the young boy, Hari, and resolved to one day help fulfil his dream of a clinic for his village.
They discovered that while medical services were ridiculously scant – one doctor for every 21,000 people – Tuberculosis and leprosy were rife, and 50% of children born did not even make their 5th birthday. The Shores, themselves a scouting family, set about raising funds every which way they could and the clinic was eventually opened in October 1997.
10 years on, the clinic’s achievements are truly impressive. Not only does it play a vital role in providing free healthcare and support to local communities – over 50,000 patients to date – but it has also spearheaded various outreach projects, such as building wells to provide fresh water and reduce the risk of disease and promoting health and sanitation. Needless to say, the clinic’s workload has increased dramatically, and its reputation is spreading far and wide, with some patients travelling two days to receive treatment.
The Saga Charitable Trust is helping to support the work of the clinic by funding training for two girls from the local community to be Auxillary Nurse Midwives who are currently attending the two–year course in nearby Bharatpur.
