Namaskar! Thank you for visiting my blog. As you may already know, I go by the name Laxmi Tamang. I am a nurse trained in Nepal and a public health professional trained in Australia. I am deeply passionate about improving sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn, and adolescent health. With over 25 years of experience, I have worked in various settings, including community and clinical environments, collaborating with national and international development agencies, educational institutions, and advocacy groups.
I am a staunch advocate for midwifery, physiological birth, sexual and reproductive health rights, gender equality, women's empowerment, social inclusion, social justice, social transformation, and social entrepreneurship. As a recipient of the Australian Leadership Award, I completed my doctoral thesis on the impact of gender-based power relations on the knowledge and utilization of sexual and reproductive health services among youth in the Kathmandu valley, Nepal.
I consider myself a pragmatic individual, driven by a desire to address real-world problems related to human behavior, attitudes, mindsets, and the prevailing societal status quo that obstruct natural transformation and change processes, following the laws of nature: evolution, revolution, and devolution. I have a keen interest in exploring and learning about natural science, psychology, philosophy, neuroscience, writing, and any subject that stimulates the human mind.
Although I am not a professional writer, I started blogging in May 2011 to voice my opinions and contribute to reshaping the thought processes of those around me. I aspire to share my knowledge, understanding, and interests regarding various socio-political issues. My writing covers a wide range of topics, including midwifery, maternal and women's health, gender, discrimination and marginalization, racism and casteism, social justice, corruption, religion, philosophy, and other subjects that captivate me both personally and professionally. I focus on what intrigues me most, and I welcome comments, particularly constructive criticism, as long as they remain respectful and free from abusive language.
I acknowledge the limitations of my knowledge and recognize that I know very little outside my areas of keen interest. I write when I feel compelled to express my emotions, perspectives, and insights on matters that ignite my mind, heart, and hands. However, I must admit that I have a habit of not proofreading my work. Therefore, I would greatly appreciate it if any readers of my blog could point out any errors in content, including evidence-based discrepancies, spelling, punctuation, grammar, or any other aspects.
Thank you once again for taking the time to visit my blog.
My passion and leadership
I am deeply passionate about improving the health of women, adolescents, and newborns, empowering girls and women, and strengthening midwifery education and services in Nepal, my home country. In 2007, I embarked on an initiative in collaboration with eleven dedicated female health professionals, including nurses and other professionals, to establish APS Kendra, the first and only standalone Birth and Reproductive Health Care Centre in Nepal. You can find detailed information about APS Kendra at http://www.apskendra.org/.
Through my involvement with APS Kendra, I gained invaluable experiential knowledge and understanding. Building upon this experience, I took on a leadership role in 2010 to establish the Midwifery Society of Nepal. The society aims to promote midwifery education and practice in Nepal. You can find more information about the society at http://www.midson.org.np/.
I derive great satisfaction from sharing what I have learned and the insights, knowledge, and experiences I have acquired with individuals who are eager to learn more about women's health, particularly maternal and newborn health services in Nepal. I also enjoy discussing the strategies and approaches involved in initiating entrepreneurship with limited financial resources and fostering social networking among professionals and like-minded individuals.
Nature holds a special place in my heart, and I find immense inspiration and wisdom in the laws of nature. It is through nature that the ultimate power of truth resides, guiding us. I am an advocate for justice, freedom, peace, and truth, constantly seeking to awaken myself from the dormant state of mind that often envelops us in ignorance.
Netowrking for learning and sharing
I have a strong interest in networking with professionals and individuals who share similar passions in order to foster mutual learning and growth, both within Nepal and on an international level. I have had the privilege of engaging in collaborative efforts with midwives from various countries, including India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Japan, Sweden, Canada, the UK, Australia, and the USA. These collaborations have been instrumental in sharing knowledge, learning from one another, and strengthening midwifery education and services.
One of the ways I contribute to this networking is by assisting student midwives and medical students with their elective placements in Nepal through the Midwifery Society of Nepal. I coordinate with different public hospitals in Nepal to facilitate these opportunities. Through these connections, we have been able to establish various support programs. For instance, in May 2011, we provided new and used clothing to underprivileged Nepalese children in collaboration with the Tokyo Humanised Care Centre. Additionally, since April 2011, Australian Midwife Ms. Julie Anne Dowdell from Perth has been volunteering at our Birthing Centre. In 2010, student midwives Ms. Lauren Bridle and Ms. Samantha Pitt from the University of Surrey in the UK made a generous contribution of US $300 towards our Birthing Centre and the Midwifery Society of Nepal. We also received a Birthing Model as a donation from Ms. Cathy Ellis, a Midwifery Instructor from the University of British Columbia, in 2010. In 2009, midwives from the USA donated used children's clothing. The Midwives Alliance of North America (MANA) supported us in designing the webpage for the Midwifery Society of Nepal in 2010. Furthermore, I was invited to become a member of the Scientific Advisory Committee of the Global Organization of Maternal and Child Health, a US-based NGO.
In June 2016, I successfully facilitated a collaboration between the Global Health Media Project, a US-based NGO focused on Newborn Care Video Services, and Paroparkar Women's and Maternity Hospital in Kathmandu, Chitwan Medical College in Bharatpur, Chitwan, and B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences in Dharan, Sunsari. This collaboration aimed to improve healthcare and medical services.
Through these networking initiatives, we have been able to foster meaningful exchanges, resource sharing, and collaborative projects that contribute to the improvement of maternal and child health services.
e-Profile
I have had the privilege of sharing my work and experiences through various platforms. You can find more information about them on the following webpages:
UNFPA webpage: You can learn more about my work on the UNFPA webpage at http://www.unfpa.org/public/site/global/pid/5859.
AusAID's webpage: Additionally, details about my work can be found on AusAID's webpage at http://www.ausaid.gov.au/hottopics/topic.cfm?ID=1914_7489_8187_2588_9517.
Healthy Newborn Network's webpage: Furthermore, my contributions are highlighted on the Healthy Newborn Network's webpage at https://www.healthynewbornnetwork.org/blog/telling-story-midwife-advocate-nepal-making-difference/.
These platforms provide valuable insights into my role as a midwife advocate in Nepal and the impact I strive to make.
Personally
On a personal level, I hail from Dharan, a small and picturesque town in the Sunsari district of Koshi Province, situated in the eastern part of Nepal. In my family, I have four siblings, including three brothers and an elder sister who is a Buddhist nun. Currently, I reside with my 86-year-old mother in Lalitpur Metropolitan City Ward No. 14, located in the Kathmandu valley.
During the initial stages of my professional career, I had the privilege of working with diverse women's groups and female community health workers in various regions of Nepal while being associated with the local NGO Women's Rehabilitation Centre (WOREC). I conducted training sessions on topics related to sexual and reproductive health, including family planning, sexually transmitted infections/HIV/AIDS, and maternal health. Through this experience, I witnessed the conditions faced by women, particularly during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum, which fueled my determination to contribute towards improving the health status of women and their newborns.
My inspiration also stems from my mother's childbirth experience. She gave birth to her first child without any assistance at home in the remote eastern hills of Bhojpur district. Her labor was prolonged, accompanied by severe bleeding, inadequate nourishment, and insufficient care during delivery. Consequently, she discouraged both my elder sister and me from getting married and having children due to the hardships and suffering she endured. Her experience became a driving force for me to make a positive impact on the lives of women. I strongly believe that my purpose in this world is to bring about positive change, particularly for rural women and their infants.
Therefore, I have dedicated my life to assisting women and urge all those working in women's health to make informed decisions based on evidence and take action to promote effective interventions, such as the social model or midwifery model of maternity care, to enhance maternal and newborn health and empower women to embrace their unique gift of motherhood. Additionally, I am passionate about building my personal network among professionals and exploring new networking opportunities and mentoring relationships.
In my personal life, I derive joy from supporting those in need, continuously learning and sharing knowledge, mentoring others, spending time with dogs, and currently, I am focused on improving my skills in writing academic papers for journals. On a deeper level, I hold strong convictions, but I prefer to articulate my thoughts based on evidence rather than relying on mere assertions, claims, or blame without substantial backing.
My early childhood life and schooling
When I reflect upon my early school days, pleasant memories do not come to mind. At the age of six, I was enrolled in a local primary public school in the small town of Dharan. My parents, who belonged to the indigenous Tamang ethnic group and were illiterate, had migrated from the remote eastern hill region of Bhojpur district in Nepal to provide their children with a brighter future and a good education. However, due to the challenges of raising five children within a short interval of 1-2 years, they struggled to afford quality education. As a result, they compromised and enrolled us in a local primary public school known for its low academic standards. Since both my parents were uneducated, we faced difficulties completing homework and assignments without any guidance at home. Consequently, our performance in classes and exams suffered compared to other students.
One particular incident remains vivid in my mother's memory. The school principal, Mr. Yam Bahadur Magar, invited her for a discussion regarding our academic performance. He expressed his disappointment, stating that he did not believe we had the aptitude for studying or achieving a good education in life merely based on our appearances. This remark deeply disappointed my mother, prompting her to assert that judging one's ability to learn based on their appearance was unfair. Several months later, my mother made the decision to transfer all of us to another school where the teachers were more supportive and strict compared to our previous institution. I spent only two years in that school and completed grade two.
At the age of ten, my parents, along with two of my siblings, relocated to Brunei. My father, an ex-British soldier known as a "Gurkha," had secured a job in the king's palace. As Brunei was a new environment for us, everything seemed unfamiliar, including the language and education system. Consequently, at the age of ten, I was admitted to class one. However, my health took a downturn when I fell seriously ill at the age of eleven. I spent a year hospitalized due to a swelling and abscess in my left leg, caused by an injury sustained while playing on a metal swing. This hospitalization prevented me from attending school for an entire year, as I was confined to a plaster of Paris cast up to my waistline. Following my release, I required regular doctor's appointments, and I could only walk with the assistance of a crutch and wheelchair. Due to my health condition, I was unable to continue attending school.
When I returned to Nepal at the age of 13, I appeared taller and more mature compared to other boys and girls my age. Despite having some proficiency in reading English, I faced challenges when I was admitted to grade six. I had missed crucial learning periods for mathematical calculations such as multiplication, division, and geometry, resulting in poor mathematical skills. Despite low marks and struggles in math, I was promoted to upper grades, progressing until grade ten.
However, grade nine presented another obstacle. I had to choose optional subjects that would shape my future career. Despite my struggles in math, I dared to choose optional math and science as I aspired to become a nurse, inspired by the care I received from nurses during my childhood hospitalization in Brunei. Just before the final exams in grade ten, my mother managed to arrange a one-month-long tuition class for optional math and science, fulfilling my deep request. I felt prepared when the time arrived for the School Leaving Certificate (SLC) exam, commonly known as the "Iron Gate." However, things did not go according to plan.
On the third day of the exam, an examiner from the district education department approached me and requested that I stand up. Confused, I watched as he took my exam paper. It became clear that he accused me of cheating when he showed me a cheat sheet he had discovered on the floor. I was shocked and insisted on my innocence, but he refused to listen and penalized me by deducting marks. Unable to tolerate the accusation, overwhelmed with emotion, I decided to leave the exam hall and did not complete the remaining exam days, believing that my future had been irreparably damaged.
After leaving the exam, I spent nearly three years working on a farm, tending to chickens and goats, and performing household chores. My father was critically ill with bone cancer (sarcoma) in his right leg, and we had exhausted our resources seeking treatment at Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai, India. He passed away at the age of 52, and I felt the pressure to work hard on the farm to support my younger brother's education and our daily survival.
The turning point in my life occurred while I was laboring under the weight of heavy baskets filled with firewood from the forest. It struck me that unless I pursued higher education, I would spend my life carrying those burdens and never fulfill my dream of becoming a nurse. Therefore, I utilized the funds I had earned from raising chickens and goats to prepare for the SLC exam and sought guidance from my school teachers. The income generated from selling goats and chickens helped finance my three-year proficiency certificate level nursing course at the Institute of Medicine, Biratnagar Nursing Campus.
After gaining three years of work experience, I enrolled in a bachelor's program in nursing. To complete my studies, I borrowed money from my elder brother, which I repaid after starting work following the completion of my undergraduate degree. From then on, I made a personal commitment that if I were to pursue further education in the future, I would seek scholarships rather than self-financing.
Although nursing was my initial career choice, a gender-stereotyped statement made by one of my male colleagues, who had completed a Bachelor of Public Health, led me to shift my focus to public health. While working for CARE Nepal in Mahottari district, my colleague expressed the opinion that nurses lacked intellectual capabilities. This statement, along with my experiences in the public health field, inspired me to pursue higher education in public health. I completed my Master's in Public Health through the Australian Government Scholarship at the University of New South Wales in 2006. Later, with financial assistance from the Australian Leadership Award, I completed my doctoral studies at the University of Sydney in 2015.
I am deeply grateful to every individual and institution that supported and empowered me through education for the betterment of humanity and prosperity.
