LocationsUsing Life Saving Skills
The Himalayan Heroes
June 11, 2024
Mr. Ganesh Thakuri (right) and Mr. Deepak Rokaya (left), who used their knowledge from the CADRE training to save lives.
Photo Credit: Ayushma Basnyat, UNDP Nepal
Barekot stands atop a high hill, reachable only through winding, rugged roads that showcase the beauty of the surrounding green hills with glimpses of Rhododenron trees and the majestic Bheri river flowing at their feet.
In Barekot Ward 2 in Jajarkot District of Karnali Province, Nepal, Mr. Ganesh Singh Thakuri and Mr. Deepak Rokaya reside, their homes bearing the visible marks of the November 2023 earthquake, forcing them to seek refuge in temporary shelters.
Months prior, both attended a training, which would later prove to be a crucial life skill for them. “Around September 2023, I heard of a training that was being organized through the Ward Officials. They told me that the training would focus on life-saving skills and asked me if I wanted to join it,” says Mr. Thakuri, as Mr. Rokaya agrees.
Left. Pictures from CADRE training which was organized in Barekot Rural Municipality from 30 September 2023 – 3 October 2023. Right. Mr. Ganesh Singh Thakuri partakes in the CADRE training, learning about basic first-aid.
Photo Credit: Ram Shobha Mandal, UNDP Nepal/UNV Nepal
Drawn by curiosity, both friends decided to enroll for the Community Action for Disaster Response (CADRE) Basic Training. Little did they know then that this training would better equip them to saves many lives in the very near future.
A few weeks after the training, Mr. Thakuri and Mr. Rokaya were at Simbagri river near their village, where they had taken their horses. This is where they noticed a group of young boys playing in the river.
Left. Pictures from CADRE training which was organized in Barekot Rural Municipality from 30 September 2023 – 3 October 2023. Right. Mr. Ganesh Singh Thakuri partakes in the CADRE training, learning about basic first-aid.
Ayushma Basnyat, UNDP Nepal
Mr. Thakuri’s younger brother, who was also at the river with his friends, recounts the experience: “We were having a good time playing in the river when one of my friend’s slippers came off because of the strong current in the river. He tried to swim after it, and soon got pulled into the river. Soon, it looked like he was drowning and gasping for breath.”
Reflecting back to the day, Mr. Thakuri elaborates, “I know how to swim so I ran to rescue him. I held him with one arm and swam with the other. Upon pulling him ashore, I pumped his chest to ensure the water came out as I had learned this technique of CPR in the CADRE training.”
Mr. Rokaya also provided crucial assistance to the boy, informed by the learnings from the CADRE training. “We gave him thirty chest compressions and two breaths as per our learnings,” says Mr. Rokaya.
Mr. Thakuri proudly shares, “We received a lot of blessings from the boy’s family for saving his life.”
“I do not think my friend would have survived were it not for Ganesh Dai and Deepak Dai,” says Mr. Thakuri’s younger brother.
The skills and learnings of these heroes were put to the test again after the earthquake struck Ramidada of Barekot, their home, in November 2023.
“The training made me attentive to the special needs to senior citizens and the vulnerable. Immediately after the earthquake stuck, I ensured that the elders in my community were out in a safe space,” Mr. Thakuri shares.
The CADRE training was provided through UNDP and Government of Japan supported “Enhancing Human Security Through Local Climate Actions Project.” The project has trained 25 community members, including 11 women on CADRE as well as Shelter Management training to develop trained local human resources and volunteers in search and rescue procedures and protocols at the local level, enhancing their knowledge and skills. These trainings have been pivotal in helping the trained community members in Jajarkot respond during crises, such as the earthquake.
A group of young boys stand with Mr. Thakuri and Mr. Rokaya in Barekot-2, aspiring to be like them.
Photo Credit: Ayushma Basnyat, UNDP Nepal
Mr. Thakuri and Mr. Rokaya feel that the training has proved to be invaluable to them in helping save lives. Mr. Thakuri shares, “I hope we are able to receive more of such trainings to further build our capacity.”
Their experiences exemplify the tangible benefits of investing in grassroots-level training, empowering individuals like Mr. Thakuri and Mr. Rokaya, which can make a difference between life and death.
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