Help, Healing And Higher Learning At The Top Of The World

(Page 8)

By Todd Curran
When Mary McWhirter's husband passed away in 2001, she began a search for higher purpose, something to devote her life to. The journey took her all the way to Nepal where, as destiny would have it, she changed the life of a humble village girl.
After being accepted by the VSO overseas volunteer organization in 2002, Mary began the training that would prepare her for life in a foreign country for two years. “They took me on at 62 years-old,” Mary says. “We had to learn to speak the language as part of the training to be a nurse in a community hospital. It's an amazing organization and they support us magnificently when we're over there.”
When Mary arrived in Nepal, she was guided to a village and introduced to the family that would host her during her stay. “I lived the life that the villagers live,” says Mary. “They're wonderful people and I loved being there right away.” A young girl named Laxmi K.C. lived just two houses over and the two became fast friends.
Through their conversations, Mary learned that aside from younger village girls or those from affluent families, almost no girls attend school. The village girls are pulled from school at an early age to help raise their younger siblings, work in the fields or be married off, but Laxmi's dream was to become a doctor and Mary recognized the potential in her. “Laxmi's such a bright girl,” Mary says. “She was still in school because, as the youngest child, she wasn't needed at home.” Her schooling was also not a financial burden on the family because Laxmi applied annually for a Nepalese scholarship; and won it every year.
As the public school system in Nepal ends at grade 10, additional education is the commencement of college. “If you can make it to grade 10 with good marks,” Mary told Laxmi, “I'll raise the money to get you through college.” Mary struck a deal with Laxmi and her family to pay for the four years of medical school, providing that Laxmi's father promised not to marry her off and that she would stay in Nepal after graduating to improve conditions there.
Approaching women's organizations and church groups with her story, Mary had no trouble raising the funds over six years. “The total cost for her degree was $33,000 and I've kept all of the sponsors updated on Laxmi's progress,” she says, having recently returned from attending Laxmi's graduation ceremony in Nepal. “She graduated as a doctor last month and had excellent marks coming out of college. She'll be an intern for 10 months, then an attending physician and then wants to open her own practice. I'm thrilled with her and so much of it is because she's so bright and committed. She's done so well.”
Back home in the Alberta Foothills, Mary lay in bed thinking 'It took six years, but it wasn't all that hard to do. I can do one more.' She awoke the next morning and contacted her teacher friend in Nepal to be on the lookout for a bright girl with an understanding family. “Laxmi will interview her and we'll see if we can help her too,” Mary says. “I will find one.”
Mary would love to speak with anyone interested in supporting education for other girls and can be reached at 403-931-4099.

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