Support Education and Livelihoods in rural Nepal

In the beauty of the incredible, snow-capped mountains and lush rural communities, Nepal has a natural beauty that is unique. However, the environment can be harsh to sustain a regular livelihood for the necessary basics. In 2009, Santoshi was struggling with a small piece of land that was not in rich condition and a large family falling economic crisis. The land did not produce food for the year and the family was struggling to survive the harsher months. 

Santoshi has now been involved in this project for a number of years. She shares “I was 26 years old when I joined this project and my family was struggling to survive. I heard about this project from community members who had gotten involved. We gathered as a women’s collective and were able to farm better and create better land. We now grow a wide variety of produce, enough not just for us but to sell, too. We have been able to repair our leaking roof. I’m passionate about farming methods now and I like learning the best methods for farming land in a sustainable way. I would like my son and daughter to get a good education because of my hard work, so they can do well in the future.”

Thank you for your support for Santoshi and her community!

Laxmi, 37, began working with our project two years ago, joining a women’s entrepreneur group after having heard about it from a friend in Chitwan. She shares “My family situation was common. There were 7 members in my family- five  sisters, one brother and my mother. The major problem of our family was of basic needs of food,  clothes and adequate housing. My mother was the only person earning money at this time, working as a daily wage labourer, as my father passed away when we were very small. We lived in scarcity of basic needs of life. Sometimes we did not have food in the house and we used to sleep without having it.  Sometimes we ate beaten rice with water. When I remember those nights, my eyes fill with tears.  We did not have even a small piece of land.  Our basic needs could not be fulfilled those days. Getting an education was beyond our dreams. We had a hut in an unappropriated land, since we did not have own land.”

Engaging in the project has changed Laxmi’s life and future. 

Support and training has shown the value and skills of working in groups, saving, keeping account on expenses and profit etc. Before, vegetable growing was for personal use. Now the family have learnt that it can be a source of income and they’ve been able to work better to enjoy their spare time better too.

Lockdowns due to COVID 19 had closed the other sources of income but vegetable farming became an even more critical source of food and income for the family. The fresh vegetables served the community and the beneficiaries of the project. It has provided greater ease during the crisis. Laxmi’s goal for the future is to give better education to her children and to develop her skills in this valuable profession.

Thank you for your support!