20 years of altruism in action
November 26 2020
20 years of altruism in action. 270,000 people helped each year. Ten of thousands of supporters. Karuna is a family of people united and committed for 20 years to build a more altruistic world...
Did you know? A silent tragedy has been unfolding in Nepal, where more than one in ten women suffer from pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Untreated, this condition can lead to serious health complications in mothers, and thus impact the whole community. With this in mind, Karuna-Shechen partnered with the non-governmental organization One Heart Worldwide to launch, in 2013, a new program in the remote districts of Baglung and Dolpo to raise awareness about POP.
POP occurs when the pelvic muscles and connective tissues weaken. The uterus can then collapse, sometimes causing the descent of other organs. Repeated pregnancies, followed by deliveries without medical assistance and hard work in the fields without post-partum rest, significantly contribute to the prevalence of POP among rural women in Nepal. According to a study by the United Nations Population Fund, among those affected, 82% find it difficult to sit, 79% to walk and 89% to lift heavy loads.
In most cases, POP can be prevented. But, because of shame and ignorance, most Nepalese mothers suffer in silence. “Nepal is a very patriarchal society, explains Surya Bhatta, Project Coordinator. Talking about woman’s personal health is still taboo. This is why we decided to train female Community Health Volunteers from the villages, rather than outsiders. It is easier for women to talk to someone from their community. ”
In each village, a medical volunteer has been selected and trained in basic screening and various preventive techniques, such as pelvic floor muscle training. When a case is detected, the volunteer refers the patient to the appropriate local medical staff for complete screening and, if required, adequate treatment. In most cases, this prevents a partial or full collapse of the uterus and, therefore, the use of surgery.
Thanks to our donors’ support, we are able to improve the lives of thousands of Nepalese women and prevent further tragedies. The Nepalese government has included our prevention and awareness program in its national health education curriculum.
Read More about our POP project in Nepal
November 26 2020
20 years of altruism in action. 270,000 people helped each year. Ten of thousands of supporters. Karuna is a family of people united and committed for 20 years to build a more altruistic world...
November 20 2020
“One of the essential components of happiness can be summed up in three words: altruism, love and compassion. How can we find happiness for ourselves when those around us are constantly suffering? M...
November 13 2020
Back in pictures on Action for Karuna and its week of solidarity held from November 2 to 8. 65 teams and project leaders mobilized to bring altruism to life and raise funds, supported by more than 1 ...
November 9 2020
Jharkhand, the "Land of Forests", is a state in North-East India, born from a separation with the neighboring state of Bihar in 2000. Though rich in nature and landscapes, this region is afflicted by ...
October 28 2020
“Karuna-Shechen breaks taboos on what rural women can and cannot do, thus changing attitudes. As Dalai Lama often points out, we more than ever need empathy, altruism and compassion: that is why it ...