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v) Clinic
At present the refugees have to go to the Government hospital, where there are not enough drugs, or to private clinics in Pokhara. Both hospital and clinics charge fees and are expensive.
2.
TARSHI PALKHIEL SETTLEMENT
This settlement is about one hour's heavy walk from Pokhara, on tracks, not motor roads, which involves crossing a wide river several times and can cause diffl- culties in the monsoon season.
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There are 57 houses in the Settlement accommodating over 500 people, including children. There is an excellent atmosphere with plenty of space, very well kept; the electricity and water supplies are good. Some of the houses still have the original thatched roofs and are made of mud. There is a great risk of fire; 10 have already burnt down. There is need for new buildings of stone and cement with corrugated roofs. Some have already been built under Swiss supervision and there is need of financial support for more.
Some of the men work in Pokhara, in hotels. in small trading centres, on farms and as porters on tours. There are no restrictions on their work.
A handicraft centre employs 150, mostly women and girls but also some older men. Carpets, bags and other handicrafts are being sold with the help of Swiss Aid to Ti- betans and the centre is now self-supporting.
There is a cooperative shop and tourist lodge with a restaurant with Tibetan, Nepalese and Western food. (We had a good lunch there.) The manager of the Cooperative, Mr. Karma Tenzin, has spent two years in England learning English and studying the work of Cooperatives.
The school for 150 children has Nepalese teachers and some Tibetans for religious instruction and Tibetan language.
A Clinic, which is self-financing, provides first-aid and carries out some treat- ment, eg, injections for 30 TB patients. Serious cases, midwifery, etc. have to be sent to the Shining Hospital in Pokhara (there is a British doctor working for the United Mission). The Tibetan nurse lives next door to the clinic with her husband, baby and mother.
There is a monastery where lamas live and provide for the spiritual needs of the settlement and help with teaching. There is also a "community space" where cultural activities, music, dancing, drama, etc. are carried out.
Various animals,-pigs, goats, chickens, geese are kept in the camp and supplement the diet. Vegetables and fruit are also grown. Mules and horses bring the supplies to the camp from the motor road where a land rover is kept.
Refugees were still escaping over the border in small groups and as individuals. About 50 new arrivals are in this settlement and going through a difficult period of orientation. They have found it difficult to adapt physically, are constantly sick and in need of a period of rest after their experiences. They do not find it easy to settle down with those Tibetans who have been some time in Nepal. The camp leader, a middle-aged man and experienced leader, seems to be devoting much of his time to helping
them.
A trickle of refugees continues but the Tarshi Palkhiel Settlement cannot accept any more until more land is available. Negotiations for buying more land so that the camp can be extended are at present being carried on but more funds are needed before final arrangements can be made.
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