Our three-member committee (Nancy Laible, Barb Brown and Melanie DeLuca) are happy to share this progress message for the Global Travelers-sponsored Small International Grant. This project is inspired by our beloved, recently deceased member Larry Zilliox, and partially funded by contributions to a memorial in his honor.
The project goals are to provide Assistive Devices (prosthetic legs) to patients needing a prosthetic leg and also needing financial support for the cost of the prosthetic. The patients are located in Bangladesh and Nepal, countries that Larry visited during his lifetime. Key status measures at this time:
- Original goal of 28 patients increased to 31.
- Distribution completed for 17 patients as of 28 November 2025.
- Financial budget on track.
- Distribution of all 31 patients estimated to be complete by April of 2026.
You can read the full status update here (PDF).
Story of a Grant Beneficiary
Yasodha Budathoki (56) is from Kaski district. She is the mother of two adult children, both of whom are now married. Her life changed completely after a terrible road traffic accident in 1990, which happened when she was pregnant. Because of the accident, she lost one of her
legs.
Yasodha recently came to Green Pastures Hospital (GPH) to receive her fourth prosthetic leg, as her previous one had become worn out with use.
Life has not been easy for her. After her accident and amputation, her husband left her for another woman. “My husband thought I became useless after I lost my leg,” Yasodha shared sadly. Since then, she has raised both of her children on her own as a single mother. She has no contact with her husband now.
The son who was still in her womb during the accident has grown up and works as a driver today. Although both children are earning, Yasodha still lives alone in her family home and receives only small financial support from them. Despite all the challenges—physical, emotional, and financial—Yasodha continues to push forward with courage and dignity.
