John Reynolds retires this summer after a huge 28 years as INF UK’s Chief Executive. 

Here’s a look back at some significant impacts INF UK has made in Nepal under John’s leadership. 

After the earthquake: building partnerships and health posts

10 years ago, in April 2015, a massive earthquake devastated Nepal. Raju Adhikari, as Director of Asal Chhimekee Nepal (ACN), believed that Christians from Pokhara could make a real difference in Nepal’s recovery, in particular rebuilding rural health posts that had been so essential.

John quickly caught this vision, and INF UK supported the building of five new health posts to replace ones that had been demolished by the earthquake. Four of these were the first four to be completed in the country. ACN’s quick response and the quality of their work strengthened relationships with local government authorities and has opened doors to help in the aftermath of many subsequent natural disasters.

Green Pastures Hospital: from crumbling to groundbreaking

About 10 years ago, INF Nepal had a renewed vision for Green Pastures Hospital and great plans under new Medical Director Dr Dipak Maharjan. But the buildings were crumbling and the operating theatre was totally unusable.

John saw that urgent support was needed and persuaded the board of INF UK to invest nearly £500,000 into Green Pastures to reinvigorate it, and made a personal commitment to support the hospital to fulfil its vision. Today, it is a modern, thriving hospital specialising in the rehabilitation of disability.

Shining Hospital Banke made possible

INF UK also provided the funds that enabled INF to purchase of the land in Banke district on which the Shining Hospital now stands, as well as providing substantial funds for the hospital buildings.

Life-changing facilities for people with leprosy

A couple of years ago the government offered some money towards the re-building of a ward for leprosy patients at Green Pastures, but it was not enough. John saw that the leprosy ward was falling down and leaking. He wanted these patients to enjoy the same quality facilities as everyone else, especially given the stigma that those with leprosy often face. Through his leadership, INF UK supported the wonderful new Eileen and Betty Centre and the greenhouse and gardens – transformational places of healing for so many patients.

Supporting the vision of Nepali churches

For the past four or five years John has been walking with the leaders of the Pokhara Christian Community and Asal Chhimekee Nepal, supporting their vision to build a mission training centre to support and serve churches across Nepal and beyond for generations to come. The land has been purchased, mostly through sacrificial giving from churches, and INF UK is helping provide some of the funds needed to see the building constructed to serve the churches in Pokhara and beyond.