With an undiminished dedication to improving the lives of women and children in remote Nepal, Lake Wyangan's Sandra Holden has returned with a clear path forward.
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Having just returned from her latest trip, Ms Holden is "99 per cent" positive she's found the perfect village to locate and build her health clinic.
"We flew to west Nepal and then drove nine hours to Jajarkot. Out of all the trips it was the best most beneficial - the cases we saw were heartbreaking," Ms Holden said. She told the story of one six-year-old girl who came in with STD symptoms. She was raped at two years of age and would require surgery to repair internal damage.
"This trip we also had a specialist in human trafficking who was able to talk to people waiting outside the clinic. I think this village was really really needed the clinic... The mayor said he would do whatever he could to help as well which is amazing."
Upon her return in November, she will also be doing research to set up sustainable pain medication supplies, with the possibility of using marijuana, which is illegal to use but grown abundantly. Helping set up vegetable gardens and giving nutritional lessons will also help with the many cases of malnutrition caused by a diet of rice and lentils.
Since winning a community award for her work in providing this free medical aid to young Nepalese girls at the end of last year, she says the support given to her from the Griffith community has just continued to grow.
While many have expressed their regret at not being able to accompany her on her trips, Ms Holden says donations and support given is just as important.
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"Everyone who supports me is standing with me to help make a difference."
"The business in Griffith are amazing. They just gave me stock - it's phenomenal. I was really really encouraged that they've done that." A fundraiser for her next journey will be held tonight (Friday) at 7.00pm at Griffith City Cinemas with the screening of 'Chicago'.
Tickets are $20 with proceeds going towards the cause. There will also be hand-made items from Nepalese village for sale as well.
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