“We both led separate treks,” explains Michael, also the Deputy Group Officer for Corangamite Group, “with my group getting very slowly to Everest Base Camp. A lot of the villages we pass through have nothing in the way of medical supplies and people approach us with sores, burns and broken bones. We fix them up as best we can.”
Margaret, Michael and fellow traveller and CFA member Ian Stanley-Eyles – a first-aid instructor – have gradually built a relationship with their regular guide Dorje from the village of Patale in the Solukhumbu Everest area. This village of 180 inhabitants gratefully received the 10 kilograms of supplies.
“A community medical officer had moved in a few months beforehand,” says Michael, “but he’s working on a fee-for-service basis which is beyond a lot of people; probably most people.
“We just want to soak up the culture and meet the locals. Last visit Ian and I were lucky enough to stay with Dorje’s parents. We also went to a meeting with the town council and learned about their challenges, which are mainly health and education. We talked about what medical gear they have, what they would like and what might be possible for us to perhaps supply.
“Patrick Shawcross is our [District 6] storeman in Colac and he rebuilds the first-aid kits after the Section 29s. As long as the seals haven’t broken, there are so many things from the old kits that are still useful: saline, dressings, bandages, rubber gloves, shears, CPR [cardiopulmonary resuscitation] masks. On top of that, Ian gathered material from hospitals and ambos.
“It’s one of those things that could be extended…”
And this is where the broader CFA family comes in.
“Every district rebuilds their first-aid kits differently,” says Michael. “Instead of sealed items being thrown out, we’d love it if they could be delivered to us in Colac. They don’t have to come in a hurry – just when someone from a regional office is coming our way.
“We’ve got a relationship with a company that regularly leads tours to Nepal so we can get the supplies across as they come in. It’s a great alternative to throwing them out.”
Any brigades, groups or districts with out-of-date first aid supplies or who are updating their kits soon are invited to contact Michael at m.evans@cfa.vic.gov.au
Trust fund
“We’re also in the process of setting up a trust fund,” continues Michael, “to pay the medical provider in the village to service all community members rather than just those who can afford to pay. The trust is also seeking to provide a trained nurse/midwife to assist in the village and surrounding small communities.
“The trust will also work in Australia with drug companies, medical professionals and other supporters, arranging subsidised drugs, medical supplies and, hopefully, the provision of specialist services to the clinic on a short term volunteer basis.
“We hope to launch the trust fund in March. When it’s all signed off by the Patale village council representatives, CFA members may wish to support it.
“You can’t help everyone but you can help one village.”
CFA Connect will keep members informed about the trust fund.
CFA flag flies at Everest Base Camp
Last year Michael’s group, with one local guide and one porter, walked 300 kilometres in 21 days with just two rest days. The oldest person in the group was 84 years old.
“We climbed and dropped 1,000 vertical metres twice on one day,” says Michael. It’s a punishing schedule that Michael describes as “slow going” as the trekkers adjust to the altitude.
“We took the CFA flag with us [see photo] as a bit of a challenge. We raised the flag at Everest Base Camp and again at the Cho La Pass.
“The whole experience was amazing. The mountains, the people…”
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