Twisty Bobcat Pretzel

Happy Sunday!

So, I have decided that my posts have been a little too serious. I decided that I would lighten up the blog by posting about my yoga master class. A few days ago I posted a very attractive photo of a yoga workshop class (See Picture 1). Well, I was so inspired by this poster that I convinced Melissa and Seth to go to the workshop with me.



Here are some of the highlights of this class...please do not be intimidated by our expert yoga poses. Caution: This class started at 5:00 am...therefore, makeup was not a possibility.



And this is what our poses should have looked like....

On the bright side...Melissa, Seth, and I were able to take a picture with the yoga master and met a cute little girl.

Well, I have all summer to work on these poses. By the time I come home I will have truly earned the title of "Twisty, bobcat pretzel."

LEPRA

Namaste-

Over the past few days, HELP International has had the opportunity to meet and work with the non-profit organization known as LEPRA. Over the course of two days, LEPRA took me and other volunteers to several of their clinics. At these clinics we were able to see the physical effects that tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and leprosy have on the people of India. Casey Bahr, one of the volunteers with HELP International, took the pictures posted below.

Here is a picture of a woman who contracted HIV/AIDS from her husband and then developed TB several months later. She is underweight and suffers from lethargy, but is in good spirits. Hopefully, someone somewhere will find a cure for HIV/AIDS. The doctor believes that this patient will live a long life as long as she continues to take her medication for TB and HIV.

This is a picture of woman who had lost several toes to leprosy. Unfortunately, leprosy causes a person to lose feeling in their hands and feet. As a result of this, the woman could not feel the ulcers developing on her feet. Eventually, her toes retracted back into her foot and now she only has 3 toes. Unfortunately, there is such discrimination and stigma associated with leprosy that it prevents people from seeking out treatment. Had this woman sought treatment earlier, there is a strong possibility that she would still have all of her toes.

Before coming to India, I had heard about leprosy but it was not something I paid attention to because it is not prevalent in the developed world. This experience at this clinic has really opened my eyes to the fact that people are suffering from diseases that are preventable and treatable. LEPRA truly is an amazing non-profit organization. The employees do not work in the best conditions, nor do they get paid a lot of money. Regardless of these facts, these employees and volunteers continue to come to work every day because they want to improve the quality of life of others. I am honored that I have the opportunity to help them achieve their goals for the country of India. Enclosed is the link for LEPRA if you would like to learn more.

Hyderabad, India

Hello from Hyderabad, India!

I cannot believe that I have officially been in India for a week. It has been quite the cultural experience. We live in a cozy flat located in the city of Secunderbad, which is a sister city to Hyderabad. Initially Secunderbad and Hyderabad were separate cities, but as the population grew the cities became one. There is so much to blog about that I have decided to divide it into three different sections: the house, Golconda fort, and projects.

The House:

When I first arrived in India, I thought that we would be living in a tiny apartment with two rooms and maybe two bathrooms. Little did I know that the flat that HELP International rented out was a little larger. There are four bedrooms in the house, two bathrooms, and a squatter (which I eventually destroyed, but that’s a story for another day). Initially, the girls were in three of the rooms and the boys took one room. We survived the heat by using old swamp coolers and fans. However, once we got two air conditioning units all the girls crammed into two rooms. No longer are we suffering from night sweats haha. Unfortunately, the boys got the short end of the stick and have to sleep on the roof to get relief from the heat. Oh well, I’m sure it is somewhat like camping. Who doesn’t want to camp?

Don't they look like they are enjoying sleeping outside?

Golconda fort:

Since the majority of the group arrived on a Saturday, the country directors (Seth and Melissa) thought that it would be fun to use the “free” day to visit Golconda fort. One of the sister’s in the ward has connections and got us a free tour of the fort. The fort is over 800 years old and is absolutely breathtaking—Seinfeld anyone? Anyways, here are a few pictures of me and the group at Golconda fort.

This is one of the sister's cute daughters

Projects:

Over the past week, the group and I have had the opportunity to meet with several nonprofit organizations throughout Hyderabad. There are so many amazing projects that the group and I have the opportunity to work on. This summer, I have been assigned to help lead the hysterectomy and LEPRA project. In addition, I will be helping with the lost children project, MVF bridge school, soilets, and TB. The hysterectomy project focuses on the increasing problem of young women who are being tricked into getting hysterectomies by “quack” doctors. Most often times these hysterectomies are done improperly and these women suffer physical problems for the rest of their lives. Eventually, their inability to work and bear children causes their husbands to leave them. It is the goal of HELP International to reduce the number of women who receive unnecessary hysterectomies.

Another project that I am extremely honored to be a part of is called Lost Children. It is estimated that there are 8 million lost children in the country of India. The majority of these children have either been abducted, trafficked, or simply separated from their parents. The lost children project hopes to reunite many of these separated children and parents, as well as reduce the number that have been trafficked or abducted. To help put this problem into perspective, below is a clip from MTV’s EXIT video, which focuses on the issue of child labor and human trafficking.

P.S. This incredibly attractive flier was outside our house. Enjoy.

So it Begins...

Howdy,

Welcome to my wonderful blog! I created this blog so that you can follow me as I work and live in India. This summer I have an amazing opportunity to work with a non-profit organization called HELP International. Over the next three and a half months I will have the opportunity to improve the quality of life in India through PUBLIC HEALTH! Yes, my love for public health required that it be capitalized in the previous sentence. A few projects that HELP International will be working on include anti-human trafficking, sanitation, nutrition, and education.

For those of you who don't know me, my name is Melanie Chao. I am currently a student at BYU majoring in public health. I love BYU, but I am a Notre Dame fan at heart. Go Fighting Irish!

I am extremely grateful for the opportunity I have to serve in India this summer. Hopefully I will finish packing before the sun comes up. If not, my flight plans may have to change. I am kidding, but I finally understand why people dislike packing so much. Haha. See you soon!

P.S. I posted a thought provoking, interesting, and well produced youtube video below. Let the mind blowing begin!