Recent Visits
A Journal of Recent Site Visits

April 2006
May 2006
August 2006
October 2006
December 2006

April 2006

Jake Epperly, CSADC, of New Hope Recovery Center, traveled to Kathmandu, Nepal where he assisted Suyash Rajbhandari a local Nepalese. Suyash began a 12-step based treatment program called “Recovery Group” in Kathmandu, Nepal about two years ago. Last year Suyash contacted Jake Epperly and asked for assistance in starting a treatment program in Kathmandu, Nepal. At the time Jake primarily assisted him over the internet by sharing treatment schedules, lectures and other tools. Within 3 or 4 months Suyash had established a 15 bed residential treatment program. Jake spent two weeks assisting Suyash at the Recovery Group Treatment Center. “It was a truly amazing experience, one of the most meaningful times I have had in the treatment field,” Jake shared about his time there.

Jake Epperly with the Recovering Group Staff

May 2006

On May 27th 2006, Recovery Without Borders members Jake Epperly, Executive Director, and Lee Fitzgerald, Volunteer, traveled back to Nepal. They continued to work with The Recovering Group Treatment Center and also presented a two day workshop for recovering women in Nepal. Lee Fitzgerald led the workshop which covered two areas: 1.) Women and Addictions and 2.) Women and Recovery. Nepal has little existing support for substance abusing women. Social stigma, a lack of treatment resources and an extremely high unemployment rate contribute to the devastation that drug addicted and alcoholic women face. Through RWB contacts with TRG as well as other services in Nepal, Jake and Lee were able to find about fifteen or sixteen women that had experienced a substantial amount of time abstinent from their drug of choice.

Lee Fitzherald with members of a Nepalese Women's Group

While in Nepal, RWB was able to locate a small program for women entering recovery called Jyoti. Jyoti is a small residential program for women that was established by nine socially conscious women in Kathmandu. They recognized the plight of the female alcoholic / addict and, through local donations, started Jyoti. The program is currently housed in a small building still under construction on the outskirts of Kathmandu. RWB members met with some Jyoti board members, and, as a result, decided that ongoing support from RWB would be beneficial to Jyoti. RWB was able to make an initial donation to keep the program running. RWB will continue to assist Jyoti financially and will also provide counselor training and develop marketing materials.Three women in recovery who had attended the RWB workshop later met with Jake to explain their need for a “drop in center” (DIC) for substance abusing women in Kathmandu. The purpose of the DIC would be to provide a safe place for women to share their experiences and receive information about recovery. The DIC would be named Sarathi, a Hindu, Sanskrit expression meaning "timeless eternal charioteer." Upon presentation and review of the plan presented by the women, RWB agreed to provide financial support of this new program. RWB's initial donation, allowed them to lease a small accessible meeting room in Kathmandu for one year.During this trip, Jake continued to work with TRG, providing two days of training on counseling techniques and documentation. RWB also made an additional financial donation to TRG for general use.At the end of August, Jake and RWB volunteers will travel back to Nepal to continue working with TRG, Jyoti and Sarathi. They will lead another free two day addiction counseling workshop.

Jake facilitating a Group Counselor training session

August 2006

Jake Epperly traveled with William (Bill) Mahoney, MD, to Katmandu, Nepal. Together they gave a very successful 2-day counselor training. Counselors from throughout the area were invited to attend. They met with the staff members of the Recovering Group, discussing how to utilize a cash donation to provide salary structure and to train physician who will be on staff. They met with Jyoti sisters and gave them a cash donation to provide them with food. Jake met with the board members of Jyoti, discussing their need for marketing and outreach material. The two also met with the women's drop in center, giving them a cash donation for rent and furniture.

During this trip, Recovery Without Borders established an Association for Members of RWB. This allows groups who are working with RWB to communicate. It fosters cooperation, provides a space for sharing resources and diminishes competition for funding.

Jake recognized the dire need for a halfway house in Nepal during this trip. Because there are no sober living environments available in the area, many individuals relapse quickly after treatment. For a low cost, Recovery Without Borders may be able to help establish one.

For Bill, this was an intense trip, affirming the need for the organization. It was an opportunity to think seriously about the needs of the Nepalese treatment programs and the best ways to go about meeting them.

Jyoti Women's Program is hoping to finish their facility soon.

October 2006

During this trip, Jake continued his work with Recovering Group (Men's Residential Treatment Program), Jyoti Sisters (Women's Residential Treatment Program) and Angels (Women for Recovery).

In working with Recovering Group, Jake provided training and support in basic accounting/bookkeeping methods. He presented a free workshop entitled "Educational Components of Treatment for the Alcoholic/Addict" to their staff. He also worked on the organizational development of the group with key staff members.

Jake also provided a training to Jyoti on educational needs of patients in treatment. He made a special donation to pay for continuing treatment for a woman who has done well in treatment and has no place to live. He also met with board members discussing ideas for selling pressed flower cards in the USA. There was also some discussion and planning in regard to helping them develop a website.

In working with the women's drop in center (DIC), Jake helped them to establish weekly self help meetings. He provided a one-day training to all of the staff and helped them structure their board. RWB donated money for board games.

Jake met with Bijay Panjay for a second time. He was one of the first people to recover in Nepal through use of 12 step programs. He expressed a strong interest in helping RWB help establish a men and women's half-way house in Nepal. Other new ideas generated from the trip included registering with Nepalese government as an NGO, identifying one local to help RWB on site and possibly opening an office there.

Gretchen Feinholz and attendees of a training session on women in recovery.

Gretchen learns about the plight of female drug abusers in Nepal.

December 2006

Jake Epperly and board member Gretchen Feinholz returned to Kathmandu to facilitate training sessions and to monitor progress in our existing projects.

Gretchen presented a day long seminar titled, "Women's Issues in Recovery." Female addicts/alcoholics are highly stigmatized in and marginalized out of Nepalese society as well as their family systems. This female-only session gave the women in attendance the opportunity to fully explore the issue in an open, safe environment.

Jake presented a training session covering "Addiction Treatment Program Structure" which addressed the basics of addiction/alcoholism treatment such as modalities, lectures, use of 12 step programs, counseling and group work.

Both programs had a very good turnout of approximately 20 – 25 participants each as well as representation of at least 6 other agencies wishing to work with Recovery Without Borders.

In addition to the above training Jake and Gretchen visited sites we are currently working with; The Recovering Group, Dristi and Jyoti and met with other individuals seeking assistance from RWB.