COM Outlook - Winter 2016

12 Nova Southeastern University Banjara stands in the middle of the devastation caused by the Nepal earthquake. services like water, food, clothes, health care, dealing with the dead bodies, and recovery of the affected areas.” Additionally, with the money he collected prior to arriving in Nepal, Banjara purchased and helped distribute ample amounts of corrugated metal sheets that could be used to replace the roofs of 42 of the homes that had been severely damaged. He also worked in conjunction with the country’s Department of Health Services to help organize health camps and provide basic medical support. Although Banjara—who occasionally had to be awake at 3:00 a.m. to participate in his online M.P.H. class while visiting his home country—was not in Nepal when the earthquake initially struck, he almost became a fatality himself one morning as he was biking down the mountain- ous road to continue his relief work. “While I was on my way to work, a big tremor struck, and the house in front of me suddenly collapsed,” he said. “I really don’t know how I survived.” After returning to South Florida, Banjara reflected on the lessons he learned following his inaugural experience as a volunteer relief worker in his homeland. “Initially, I was quite scared because of the continuing aftershocks, and because there was no water, electricity, transportation, or regular food supply,” said Banjara, who admitted that the images of devastation he witnessed will stay with him forever. “I was able to make a positive difference in the lives of many needy people, and as a public health professional, that is always going to be my goal.” “I was able to make a positive difference in the lives of many needy people, and as a public health professional, that is always going to be my goal.” —Mayur Sharma Banjara