Renu [19] has proved this saying with her strong willpower and ability to conquer. She had broken her back and was unable to walk. However, she has overcome her disability very gracefully.

Renu fell from a tree a few months back while collecting firewood. She was taken to a nearby health-post and later referred to a private hospital in Pokhara. From there she was again referred to other private hospital where spinal fixation was carried out. By then, the family had exhausted their savings. Finally, she came to Green Pastures Hospital [GPH] with no money but full of hopes. She never gave up that she would walk again on her own feet.

In addition to other medical treatment, Renu received physio and occupational therapy for two months at GPH. She is now able to walk with aid of a stick. Renu is a very happy girl. She loves painting her nails with lovely designs as in the picture. She and her five younger sisters live with her parents.

While at the hospital the family suffered a second tragedy, losing everything they owned in the devastating earthquake of April 2015. Her family was left with nothing.

Behind the hospital where Renu was being treated, another INF initiative was taking shape. GPH has been focused on delivering much needed specialist treatment and rehabilitation for leprosy, disability, reconstructive surgery and spinal cord injury, but INF has also been growing fresh produce on the site. The land has been farmed over the years to produce vegetables, buffalo milk, eggs and meat, to feed patients and staff at the hospital.

Last year a new programme, INF’s Initiative for Financial Sustainability, began. This initiative encourages activities that utilise local resources and assets of INF to generate income that will support INF Nepal’s core activities. Renu’s parents were able to begin working on the farm, taking care of and milking the buffalo herd, and now live there with their daughters.

Renu has no regret in her life except that she never got the privilege to go to school. Her wish was to learn some skillful training so that she can earn and support her family. She is grateful toward the hospital for making her wish come true. She has recently begun training as a tailor thanks to the Pokhara Chamber of Commerce’s earthquake assistance fund. With the skill that she is learning, Renu hopes to fulfill her wish.

You can also read Renu’s story and ‘recovery and building down on the farm’ in our March issue of “Today in Nepal”.

PRAY | GIVE | GO | SHARE – Please pray for Renu as she recovers and practices walking again, and for her family as they live and work on the farm. We also pray for the INF Initiative for Financial Sustainability, that it would provide employment opportunities and much needed finances to support INF’s work.