Rajesh Shahi - medical travel and Sanga-Sangai School

Hi,

My name is Johanna Duponte-Williams. I am a member of Mattapoisett Friends (Quakers) and we are fundraising for Rajesh Shahi and his school Sanga-Sangai. Raj is so grateful for the kindness and medical care he received in the US in 1993 when he was an impoverished child in Nepal, that he committed his life to providing education (food & warm clothing) to poor children in Kathmandu. Raj needs to travel to Boston for a medical recheck with Dr. Parazin and team @ Boston Orthopaedic & Spine LLC. The travel and CT Scan costs are far beyond his means. We are fundraising for Raj's travel costs, the required CT Scan and his school Sanga-Sangai.

We have raised $2,900 to date which will cover visa & airfare. An additional $3,000 is needed now to ensure he can pay for the CT scan. His appointment is in June, 2024.

The back story:

Hands in Outreach (HIO), sponsored Raj as a child at Bijeswori School in Kathmandu. HIO director Ricky Bernstein noted Raj’s severe curvature of the spine & asked Charles Duponte, then an HIO board member and I, Johanna Duponte (an occupational therapist) to arrange for a medical consult. After two hospitals turned me down, I resisted doing more because I had little time due to my busy private practice. One day as I really looked at Raj’s photo - his beautiful smile - the thought came “It’s my time, but it’s his life!” With that thought my energy changed and doors began to open, one after another! Karma!

Our friend Dr. Tucker AuFranc shared Raj’s X-rays with colleagues Dr. Alexander Wright and Dr. Peter Anas. Raj’s spinal curvature was so severe it threatened his lung capacity. Raj was in need of surgery in the immediate future! HIO raised funds for travel. Drs. Wright and Anas performed the surgery and New England Baptist Hospital provided the hospital stay pro bono. Mrs. Bindu Tuladar, Bijeswori school principal accompanied Raj, who spoke little English.

Raj’s grateful spirit delighted the entire team at the hospital. Raj recovered in Mattapoisett with frequent home visits from Dr. Anas. Ms. Karen McQuillan, a sixth grade teacher at Old Hammondtown school invited Raj to join her class and then focused the curriculum on Nepal and its culture. In 2001 Karen said that volunteering two summers in Nepal doing teacher training changed her life. The Mattapoisett students had never experienced someone from such a different culture and were deeply touched by Raj’s situation, poverty, courage, gratitude and spirituality. Karma!

The blessings continue - Raj’s life path was changed by the generosity of those who helped him. As a result, Raj is changing the lives of poor street children in Kathmandu who, without the support of Sanga-Sangai School, would be forced to beg on the streets to support their families, rather than attend school.

Raj returned in 2009 for a recheck with Drs. Anas and Parazin. He visited NEBH and Marcia Wright, Dr. Wright’s widow, to honor those who gave him a new life. Raj visited friends and presented on life in Nepal and the work of Sanga-Sangai at Old Post Road School in Walpole, Middleborough High School and Mattapoisett Friends Meeting.

Robin Motyka, patient liaison, Boston Ortho & Spine hosted Raj with her family. Mattapoisett Friends (Quakers) embraced Raj, then and now, and are helping organize this fundraising. Raj will be hosted in Mattapoisett and the Friends will host a reception for Raj in June - you’ll be invited. Many thanks! Namaste! Johanna