Farmer ID Card is a special financial instrument designed to provide access to financial services, especially for communities, particularly women agricultural entrepreneurs, who lack access to banks or financial institutions.

The objective of this collaboration, according to CARE Nepal, is to enhance financial inclusion and facilitate easy access through cashless transactions for eligible beneficiaries, including landless and women farmers, as well as agricultural businesses.

“The Farmer ID Card aims to provide farmers with access to credit facilities through cashless transactions within the agricultural sector. Utilizing the QR code and OTP-based technology, farmers can easily and securely purchase agricultural supplies, equipment, and necessary services, as well as cover maintenance expenses. They [farmers] will be able to sell agricultural produce to local agricultural businesses through the Farmer Card,” a statement issued by CARE Nepal reads. 

According to CARE Nepal, the National Farmers Group Federation will coordinate in farmer identification process, agricultural extension, and collaboration with financial institutions. NIMB will open bank accounts for farmers, distribute Farmer Cards, and provide literacy about card usage.

Farmers are expected to gain access to various loan facilities, discounts, and subsidies provided by financial institutions, government, and non-governmental organizations, Care Nepal said.

This collaboration aims to provide farmers with necessary financial resources to expand their agricultural businesses, enhance financial literacy, and improve livelihoods. Also, it aims to encourage the utilization of loan facilities targeted at small, landless, and women farmers for targeted businesses, as well as to encourage them to make responsible financial decisions.

According to Mona Sherpa, country director of CARE Nepal, this project is an important step towards financial inclusion to empower landless and marginalized women farmers. “This initiative aims not only to enhance financial inclusivity but also to financially empower small, women, and marginalized farmers to advance their agricultural businesses significantly. With the growth in financial resources and digital technologies’ accessibility, we anticipate progress in the agriculture sector and the emergence of new opportunities.”

CARE Nepal, in partnership with Nepal Investment Mega Bank , R&D Innovative Solutions, and the National Farmers Group Federation, will provide financial services to 6,000 landless, marginalized, and women farmers in Udayapur, Saptari, and Siraha districts of Nepal through the Farmer ID Card initiative.

“We [farmers] expect easy financing services through the farmer card, along with easy access to loans provided by banks,” said Savita Kumari Mandal, a resident of Bhagawanpur-1, Simuriya.

In celebration of International Women’s Day, the film series is premiering on March 8, 15 and 22 to audiences in Asia. Presented in a series of six animated shorts with accompanying live action mini documentary, ‘She Creates Change’ features the narrative of six courageous young women from historically low-income communities in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Tanzania and Vietnam. Episodes portray how each girl confronts challenges unique to her life- such as harassment, food scarcity or early marriage- by advocating for herself and her future, according to Room to Read.

“Room to Read’s partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery accelerates the goal of ‘She Creates Change’ to reach all 432 million adolescent girls in the world with inspiring and informative content. As girls see other young women, who face challenges similar to their own, use their skills and knowledge to shape their future, they too will discover avenues to harness their own power and potential,” said Dr Geetha Murali, CEO of Room to Read.

“Timed to coincide with International Women’s Day, ‘She Creates Change’ will make its debut that aims to inspire not just young girls to pursue their dreams and stand up for their rights, but also to encourage young boys and men to support the women and girls in their lives. The project’s launch is a significant step towards Room to Read’s goal of reaching adolescent girls with an empowering and informative story” said Pushkar Lal Shrestha, Country Director of Room to Read in Nepal.

‘She Creates Change’ has been recognized as an official selection of Tribeca Festival (Tribeca X Award), Manchester Animation Festival (Best Short Film for Children), London Short Film Festival and the British Animation Awards (2024 Audience Award). The series will premiere as a feature length film as an official selection of the SXSW EDU Film Program on March 5, 2024.

The release of ‘She Creates Change’ aligns with the launch of Room to Read’s flagship fundraising campaign, You Create Change, with a goal of raising USD 10 million to support girls’ education and gender equality through Room to Read’s programs.

Through ‘She Creates Change’—which includes books and audio stories in addition to the film series — ‘Room to Read’ seeks to support all adolescent girls in the world with content that equips and inspires them to create positive change in their lives and communities. Curriculum packages that align with the stories presented, based on Room to Read’s comprehensive Girls’ Education Program curriculum, will be provided online, through broadcast media and in-person programming.

The CFRD had inaugurated “The First Sustainable Development Experimental Village in Nepal” on May 29, 2023, in Tarakeshwor Municipality. This initiative included off-seasonal vocational skills training, a whole village water system project, Panda pack Project, and the Smiling Children Project.

The opening ceremony witnessed the sale of over 300 kg of cauliflower, 500 kg leaf vegetables, 140 kg of tomatoes, 100 kg of potatoes, and 100 kg of other vegetables in the first batch. The vegetables were produced by  40 students, who underwent training.

“This initiative, supported by the China Foundation for Rural Development (CFRD) and New Light Foundation (NLF), focuses on skill development training in Nepal, specifically in cultivating and selling Off-Seasonal vegetable production. The project, bolstered by the expertise of Chongqing Experts, aims to contribute to sustainable agricultural practices in the region,” according to CFRD.

Chief Guest Ghanashyam Shrestha, Chairperson of Ward No. 6, who chaired the ceremony, underscored the local community’s commitment to sustainable agricultural practices.

Special Guest Radha Krishna Khadgi, Chairperson of Ward No. 2, highlighted that these kinds of support foster agricultural development.

The announcement comes, following the devastating earthquake that struck Nepal on November 3, 2023, claiming 157 lives, and affecting 300,000 people in the western Karnali Province, including the districts of Jajarkot and Rukum West.

“The Government of the Republic of Korea is committed to providing assistance to the most vulnerable people affected by the earthquake in Jajarkot, in collaboration with UNFPA. This commitment aligns with Korea’s longstanding partnership with Nepal, which will mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2024. Korea has been providing immediate support to Nepal during challenging times, including the 2015 Nepal Earthquake and the Covid-19 Pandemic. The people and the Government of Korea stand with Nepal, hoping that this assistance will contribute to the recovery of the areas affected by the recent earthquake,” said Taeyoung Park, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Nepal.

“The recent earthquake also exacerbated the vulnerabilities of women and girls, exposing them to heightened risks of sexual and physical violence, exploitation, and abuse. Compounded by the destruction of medical facilities and a shortage of critical supplies, the delivery of essential health services, particularly maternal health care, has been severely compromised,” a statement issued by UNFPA reads.

Won Young Hong, UNFPA Representative, commended the Republic of Korea for its unwavering commitment to humanitarian causes. “We are profoundly grateful to the Government of the Republic of Korea for their invaluable support. This contribution has enabled UNFPA to deliver humanitarian supplies to the affected women and girls, ensuring that their fundamental needs for basic sanitation, menstrual hygiene, and sexual and reproductive health are met. Such acts of generosity and compassion resonate with the core principles of solidarity and humanity, reflecting the Republic of Korea’s leadership in addressing global challenges.

With the support from the Republic of Korea, UNFPA will continue to distribute essential health supplies including 5000 winter kits, 2000 dignity kits, and 14 sets of different health kits that will serve over 40,000 women and girls over the next three months. These kits contain medical supplies required for emergency care and the clinical management and family planning commodities to hospitals and other health facilities. The funding will also be used to strengthen the capacity of over 50 sexual and reproductive health and gender-based violence response service providers in Jajarkot and Rukum West.

Recently, he came back from the UN headquarters, New York, after completing his in-person RAF fellowship during the 78th UNGA. A journalist reporting for more than 12 years and following foreign affairs and defense, including UN-related issues, in Nepal, Panday chats with Nepal Live Today about his experience, perspectives and learning during the fellowship. Excerpts:  

Could you share your experience with regards to your participation in the 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) ?

I was awarded the Reham al-Farra Memorial Journalism Fellowship (RAF) by the United Nations (UN). I was among the 12 journalists from across the world who were selected by the UN. I got this fellowship in 2021 during the 76th session of the UN General Assembly but at that time I participated then virtually because of the Covid pandemic.

This year I was lucky to participate in-person during the 78th session of the UNGA. Every year the new session of the UNGA starts on September 5. My fellowship duration was from Sept 13 to 29. During that period, I got a chance to witness the high-level session first hand where top world leaders were present to deliver their statements in the GA hall. The high-level session was held on Sept 18-22. 

Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal was also present to deliver his statement. During my fellowship, I got a chance to interact with officials from various UN bodies. They provided insights into the structures and functioning of each UN agency. It was immensely helpful in my reporting related to the UN and multilateral diplomacy. What I noticed is that there is never a dull moment during the UNGA. Various engagements are held at the same time. And you need to rush. Overall, it was a privilege and an experience of a lifetime to report about such a mega event.

Why is the UN an important mechanism for a country like Nepal?

In my view, the UN is quite important for a country like Nepal. As a member of the UN, every country enjoys the same status with each country carrying the equal vote. The UN is the supreme body in the world for multilateral diplomacy, as everyone knows, striving to achieve the larger goal in the interest of the world and every member state. If there was no UN, the global peace and order could not have been the same as we see today. 

Nepal is involved in different UN bodies. Moreover, Nepal is the second largest troops-contributing country to the UN. For countries like Nepal, the UN provides a great platform to make it heard and seen. Nepal has remained as an important member of the UN since the country joined the UN in December 1955. Since then, the global body has been helping Nepal secure its sovereignty and carry out human and social development activities. Nepal has always shown unwavering commitments to the UN values and principles. I think, this should be rightly acknowledged and recognized by the UN leadership. 

Why is it important for journalists from the Global South to know about the UN system?

This is an important question. As a journalist from the Global South, I used to think the UN is run by the Global North. But during my fellowship journey to the UN headquarters in New York, I found out that the UN system is run by its each and every 193 members. The activeness of the UN relies on its member states. There are a lot of opportunities for those from the Global South as well. What I mean is it was quite interesting to meet a lot more people from the Global South than the Global North at the UN headquarters. There are many issues to be raised on our part, but we lack proper skills and strategy to present ourselves. But what I found is that we are capable and can compete in the UN system. We need to work on our confidence though.

What is your take on COP and the role of the UN in climate change?

The United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP-28) is going to be held in the UAE this month. As a foreign affairs and geopolitical correspondent, I found that climate change is a geopolitical issue. Small countries like Nepal who do not contribute much to carbon emissions are suffering from the climate crisis, whereas big and powerful G-20 countries of the world who contribute 80 percent of carbon emission are not ready to control their emission. Big countries are destroying the climate and countries like Nepal are suffering. The big countries are not ready to pay for other countries’ losses and damage that has been inflicted by them over a long period of time. So, there is a different orientation between those who are responsible for excessive greenhouse emissions and those who do not make any significant contribution to carbon emissions. The power tussle leads to geopolitical fights.

The role of the UN is to call each and every member on the table and negotiate for it. The UN has been doing an extremely good job by requesting those countries responsible for excessive or unjust greenhouse emissions, warning them that the earth will be so hot that it would be inhabitable for  animals including human beings if they fail to act fast to cut down on emissions.

The UN has been asking to follow the Paris Agreement which says global warming should be limited to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The UN came up with the loss and damage fund for those countries who have been suffering from the climate crisis. In that fund, those countries who produce more carbon should contribute and those countries, like Nepal,  who are suffering from the climate crisis should get money from that fund. So, the COP and the UN can contribute to countries like Nepal from the Global South.

Any further words to fellow journalists from Nepal and the world?

After experiencing and learning about the UN system and meeting with many people, don’t believe what you hear only. You should learn accurate documents or meet right people before you speak on any issues. You should avoid mis and disinformation in this age of over information circulation. Journalists like me from the Global South may have a talent but we lack proper techniques and hard work for right work. You should always be eager to learn new things every day. There are many opportunities for a journalist from the Global South, so I would say always look for opportunities and seize one when you get one. One day you will be in the right place at the right time.

The organization has accorded high value to principles such as love and compassion, dignity and compassion, and professional excellence and strives to bring life in all its fullness to the poor and deprived people in Nepal.

Since its establishment, INF has continued to treat and rehabilitate patients affected by leprosy by providing multi-drug therapy, reconstructive surgeries, peer counseling by former patients, self-care training for patients with disease complications, ongoing impairments, and the provision of assistive devices. The organization is also known for disability management and rehabilitation services in different parts of the country apart from public health and community development programs.

Beginning of the journey

The vision for INF’s work began in India in the 1930s. Noted philanthropist duo Lily O’Hanlon and Hilda Steel began medical work among Nepali people living in the Indian town of Nautanwa on the border of Nepal. 

Later in 1952, a small group including Lily and Hilda together with some Nepalis moved to Pokhara and set up a clinic. At the time, access to health was one of the major challenges of Nepal. A year later, the ‘Shining Hospital’–the first hospital in the western region of Nepal–was established in Tundikhel of Pokhara. 

The hospital provided maternal and neonatal health services, surgery facilities, and other treatments to the people of the western region of the country. Later in 1975, the Shining Hospital, a non-government venture operated by INF, came into operation under the name of Gandaki Regional Hospital with 50 beds upon the request by the Nepal government.

Expansion of services 

In the course of time, INF expanded its services in the other parts of western Nepal. After realizing that leprosy-affected people from Karnali, Rapti, Bheri, and Dhaulagiri regions were in need of timely treatment of the disease, INF started Green Pastures Hospital in 1957.

The work at the hospital includes treatment and care for people living with leprosy. Further, the hospital also provides treatment and rehabilitation for people living with spinal cord injuries and other physical disabilities and extends to reconstructive surgery, palliative care, and specialist ear care. Now the organization is planning to expand the services at the hospital. 

It is worth mentioning here that INF was requested by the government of Nepal to look after leprosy care missions in the whole western part of the country in 1974 given the well-managed work of INF in the area of treatment and care for people living with leprosy. 

In the 71-year-long journey, INF has left many remarkable marks in providing services to people in dire need of support. Despite difficulties, including resource constraints, INF has shown its unwavering commitment to providing health and other services to the Nepali people.

It has become possible due to the dedication and passion of its founders and other philanthropists to ensure ‘life in all its fullness for Nepal’s poor and disadvantaged’.

Areas of engagement

In terms of work, INF’s work covers a wide range of technical areas under two major categories: Community-based programs and clinical services. INF’s community-based programs include areas such as community health and development, community-based rehabilitation, maternal and child health and disaster response, and resilience among others. Similarly, clinical programs include health support services, leprosy treatment, medical surgical outreach, treatment of spinal cord injury, rehabilitation of general physical, and treatment of ear diseases and hearing problems. 

Based in Pokhara, INF implements its programs and projects in close collaboration and partnership with local authorities and communities. 

In terms of INF’s work by location, the organization covers a wide range of locations, mostly in the western part of Nepal. Currently, the organization provides services from various parts including Pokhara, Surkhet, Banke among others. 

Noted initiatives

Green Pastures Hospital, Pokhara: For almost 60 years, Green Pastures Hospital in Pokhara has been providing treatment and care for people living with leprosy. The work at the hospital also includes treatment and rehabilitation for people living with spinal cord injuries and other physical disabilities and extends to reconstructive surgery, palliative care, and specialist ear care. Currently, the hospital has a capacity of 100 beds. 

Shining Hospital, Surkhet: The hospital is the only center of its type in the Karnali Province of Nepal that provides comprehensive leprosy and rehabilitation services for people with leprosy and disability. The hospital aims to reduce leprosy prevalence and contribute to the eradication of leprosy. It provides diagnostic services and acts as a referral mechanism for people with leprosy complications and people with physical disabilities, stroke, and spinal cord injury, in particular.

Shining Hospital, Banke: The hospital is a leprosy treatment health facility with 25 beds. Patients come from all over the midwestern region including the Lumbini and Karnali Province of Nepal and even from India. Moreover, the hospital organizes monthly Outreach camps in different government health posts of Banke and Bardiya districts so that they can develop their skills and later on they can organize health camps themselves.

Fistula Treatment Center: INF Nepal runs a 17-bed Fistula Centre within the Province Hospital, Karnali. The purpose-built facility, which Dr Shirley Heywood leads, can treat up to 300 women yearly. The Centre provides compassionate, loving, and counseling medical care to help women navigate the physical and emotional healing journey. The dedicated doctors and nurses work tirelessly to ensure their well-being, even going above and beyond to make the patients feel valued and supported.

Community-based rehabilitation: INF’s community-based rehabilitation program desires to see people with disabilities empowered to take an active part in their society. It does this through assisting people living with disability, as well as educating communities on how to accept and value people living with disability.

Future plan of action

The INF aims to execute the following plans in the days to come. Some of these plans have already been initiated.  First, INF aims to provide a complete and specialized service for persons with disabilities. Second, INF continues to implement community development programs in Sudur Paschim, Karnali and Lumbini provinces. Third, INF’s leprosy program continues to contribute to ‘zero transmission, zero discrimination, and zero disability.’

Fourth, Shining Hospital in Surkhet continues to provide quality care and services to people living with leprosy. Shining Hospital, Banke, and Green Pastures Hospital, Pokhara will take care of referral cases. Fifth, awareness, and capacity-building programs will be carried out in collaboration with local organizations to meet the government’s goal of achieving “zero leprosy.” Sixth, the upgradation of the Fistula Treatment Center, Surkhet in collaboration with the Provincial Hospital of Karnali Province. In the long run, INF plans to hand over the center to the provincial hospital.

Seventh, INF aims to establish Shining Hospital Banke as a model center for the treatment and rehabilitation of leprosy cases. Finally, INF aims to expand the capacity of Green Pastures Hospital with 500 beds and develop it as a specialized hospital.

As 2023 marks the 71st anniversary of the International Nepal Fellowship, INF firmly continues to support local Nepali communities and healthcare services, to improve health, reduce poverty, and promote social inclusion.

(Yam Bahadur G.C. works as Leprosy Program Coordinator at International Nepal Fellowship.)

A magnitude 6.4 earthquake and subsequent aftershocks have caused significant damage in Nepal’s Karnali, Sudurpaschim, and Lumbini provinces, with Jajarkot and Rukum West districts being most affected.

As of November 6, the Ministry of Home Affairs has reported a total of 157 casualties and 256 injuries with massive damage to infrastructures.

CARE Nepal, one of the first international aid agencies in Nepal, has been working closely with government and local partners to assess the needs of the affected communities and provide immediate relief assistance, according to the organization. “CARE has distributed essential immediate relief suppliesincluding inclusive shelter kits, winterization kits, hygiene kits, dignity kits, as well as health and nutritional provisions, ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook foods, and kitchen utensils.”

Additionally, CARE Nepal will be providing psychosocial counseling through its expert partners to help people cope with the trauma caused by this disaster.

“CARE Nepal is committed to provide immediate relief and support to the communities affected by this disaster along with mid and long-term support in the rehabilitation of the affected communities. Our primary focus will be on the needs of women, girls, and individuals with disabilities,” said Mona Sherpa, CARE Nepal Country Director. “We also need to take into account the likelihood of gender-based violence (GBV) as well as an outbreak of communicable diseases, cold-related ailments, and waterborne diseases in the coming days due to onset of winter and damaged infrastructures, including latrines, while designing our long-term response efforts.” These challenges further highlight the importance of a rapid and effective response to meet the immediate and long-term needs of the affected communities, Sherpa added.

CARE Nepal, in partnership with the Humanitarian Partnership Platform (HPP) secretariat, local partners, NGOs, INGOs and government authorities, is actively coordinating efforts to gather detailed data on the urgent needs of those affected by the earthquake, according to the organization. CARE Nepal will also conduct Rapid Gender Analysis (RGA) for better and targeted response considering the specific needs of women and girls. With the severity of the situation, especially with the onset of winter, CARE Nepal is dedicated to address the immediate needs of the survivors.

The organization is actively coordinating with the District Disaster Management Committee (DDMC), NGO Federation, Security Forces, local authorities, Mayors, Information Officers, and the Red Cross to closely monitor and assess the developing situation in the affected regions, reads a statement by the organization.

CARE Nepal and its partners are committed to stand by the affected communities during this challenging time while mobilizing resources and expertise to provide support, relief, and help in the recovery efforts, states the statement.

Latest government figures show that 82 children were among the 153 confirmed fatalities after a magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck Jajarkot and Rukum West, about 500km (310 miles) west of Kathmandu, on Friday night when most people were sleeping. 

About 10,000 people have been forced to leave their homes after the earthquake, said government officials, with many families losing everything in the ruins of their homes. Hospitals are struggling to cope with the number of injured people and more than 300 schools have been destroyed. Landslides in the mountainous region are making it difficult for the much-needed aid and food to get through to the remote villages.   

“Children are scared. Many have lost relatives; thousands have lost their homes,” Heather Campbell, Country Director for Save the Children in Nepal, said. “The constant aftershocks and terror of another quake means they have been forced into the open. With temperatures dropping, they need shelter, warmth and nutritious food.”   

“We are worried that the longer children are living outside, the greater the chance of contracting pneumonia. They are also at risk of contracting water borne diseases, as safe drinking water is scarce. There is an urgent need for toilets and washing facilities,” Campbell further said. 

“Children are vulnerable and need spaces where they are safe and can continue to learn. We need to ensure their safety and protection as disasters like this can lead to severe mental distress. Recovery from the trauma of losing loved ones and homes will not be a quick process. They need stability.”  

Save the Children, in coordination with government agencies and local partners, is on the ground and providing assistance. The aid organization is delivering essential items, including shelters, blankets and hygiene and baby kits.  

With twenty years of work experience in the development sector and an additional decade in the private sector, Sanjay Karki has been working as a Country Director for Swisscontact in Nepal. Nepal Live Today spoke with him on a range of topics related to vocational and technical education, economic development, and empowerment. Excerpts:

What is Swisscontact’s overall strategy in Nepal and how does it contribute to sustainable development in the country?

Swisscontact focuses on strengthening the competencies of people and improving their employability through upskilling and reskilling, initial vocational education and training, and labor market insertion in Nepal. We engage with private sector enterprises to increase their competitiveness to achieve impact and scale. Swisscontact in Nepal also supports the entrepreneurial ecosystem by working with startups and growing enterprises and entrepreneurs by supporting access to a plethora of business development services and financial needs by linking them to private service providers. We also work towards sustainable agriculture development through commercialization and agricultural market development.

Swisscontact Nepal implements projects in a pragmatic way to address complex development challenges, which are participatory, inclusive, and sensitively adapted to local conditions. It is key that we partner and engage with the private sector in all our initiatives for sustainable development. The approach helps in empowering local actors to develop capabilities and networks to overcome existing barriers. Addressing equal access for women and men, as well as disadvantaged groups, are critical aspects of any initiative we at Swisscontact Nepal take in all levels. 

Could you explain recent key achievements from any one of your projects?

The Step Up project, in close collaboration with the local and provincial government, has supported the development of a Labour Market Information System (LMIS)- Shramsansar. Shramsansar is a holistic platform that not only provides intelligence on employment and entrepreneurial opportunities but also allows greater engagement and information exchange among the actors of the employment and entrepreneurial system.  As of now, over 2,700 jobseekers have registered on the platform gaining access to a range of employment, training, and business development services offered by more than 50 service providers. The Ministry of Social Development of the Koshi Province will lead the implementation of the platform in close collaboration with the municipalities.

Shramsansar is available at https://shramsansar.koshi.gov.np and also through a mobile-based application. It has helped increase the access of the platform. Through Shramsansar, we expect a behavioral shift in the use of databases, digital technology, and information systems at both demand and supply sides which will help strengthen the employment ecosystem of the Koshi Province.

That sounds like a unique initiative. You mentioned having six programs currently being run by Swisscontact. Do any of these projects work in the TVET sector and are they in line with the policies and programs of the government of Nepal?

In fact, we provide technical assistance to three projects on behalf of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and two of these projects are currently working in the TVET sector. Nepal Vocational Qualification System Project (NVQS-P) Phase-II is driving transformative change in the country’s technical and vocational education and training (TVET) landscape, aligning seamlessly with Swisscontact’s mission to harness private sector engagement or even partnership for system building in the TVET sector in Nepal.

The project has undertaken comprehensive groundwork, instigating systemic changes essential for the successful implementation of the NVQS. It is equipping Nepali youth, including discriminated groups and women, with skills and certifications to bolster employability. The project’s relentless efforts in skills standards revision, accreditation of assessment centers, and robust awareness campaigns have contributed to the certification of thousands and a clearer pathway to gainful employment. The approved qualification framework gives the possibility of higher-level mobility to young people, thus making TVET stream aspirational.

Keeping the youths in mind, the Quality Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) for Youth project is a bilateral project between the Government of Nepal and Switzerland. It aims to support systemic changes in the TVET sector through accreditation of TVET schools, TVET instructors licensing, and the development of a national curriculum framework. It is expected that this will enable TVET schools to increase the quality of programs they offer, ultimately increasing the enrollment and retention of the youth thus providing better employment opportunities and higher income. Though the project began in September 2022, we have already been able to set up the project in all seven provinces, selection and workshops are ongoing with 279 schools across Nepal to help them move forward with accreditation, and various committees at the federal level are working on finalizing the policy documents needed for different components.

You also run a project called the Nepal Agricultural Market Development Programme (NAMDP)– Sahaj. Could you shed more light on the work being done by this project?

Sahaj, funded by SDC, works with both the public and private sectors to commercialize agriculture in Koshi province. The program supports service providers and Agri-SMEs in priority sectors (i.e. vegetables, maize, cardamom, and dairy) to develop better quality products and services, increasing Nepal’s consumption of domestic produce.
For instance, in the maize sector, we have collaborated with four machine rental providers to address quality and quantity challenges through mechanized post-harvest solutions. This initiative directly addresses the problem of labor shortages due to increased migration. Furthermore, this project offers training programs to maintain and repair agri-machinery, reducing dependence on technicians outside of Nepal.

Sahaj recently collaborated with the local engineering campus in Dharan to design sorting and grading machines for fruits and vegetables, with winning designs to be produced by local fabricators. In the large cardamom sector, our partnership with local fabricators created a smokeless dryer, enhancing quality and income. Additionally, the project also supports local municipalities in producing traditional Nepali foods like Gundruk and Sinki with machines meeting quality standards.

That sounds interesting. Do any of your projects work in the area of climate change as well?

We do. In fact, the Commercial Agriculture for Smallholders and Agribusiness (CASA) program is promoting sustainable agriculture by forging strong partnerships with the private sector to unlock constructive ways to deal with climate change challenges as well as promote solutions for the efficient use of resources. At the farm level, the project encourages partnered Agri-SMEs to build a climate-resilient supply chain by designing activities that promote Good Agriculture/ Manufacturing Practices, Post-harvest Management and Integrated Pest Management that improve water and irrigation management and soil conservation techniques, while also improving productivity. CASA also promotes the use of organic fertilizers and climate-smart technologies such as drip irrigation, mulching, and tunneling that have improved the farmers’ adaptation to climate change and increased yield while simultaneously curbing GHG emissions through reduced food wastage. At the firm level, CASA has supported the development and incorporated environment, social, and governance policies to create new green growth models for our partnered agri-businesses, which ensures reduction of costs and increased productivity, resource efficiency and sustainability, access to new markets, and eligibility for green financing. The project has executed energy audits and increased the uptake of digitization to conserve power and increased the uptake of energy-efficient equipment and renewable energy.

With the ecosystem undergoing rapid transformations, the significance of climate change initiatives has notably amplified. Moving forward, could you enlighten us about the Senior Expert Contact (SEC) project? Apparently, this is one of the longest running projects.

The SEC project is ‘Promoting Entrepreneurship through Expertise’ where SEC experts have been providing direct and uncomplicated support, since 1994, to SMEs in the private sector who aim to grow with specialist knowledge where it is needed. We have provided our SEC Services to over 750 SMEs and institutions in 5 provinces, with 40 SEC assignments conducted on average every year in Nepal. SEC expert assignments are conducted to SMEs in the areas of Skills Development, Education, Food, Hospitality, Tourism, Agriculture, Construction, Hydropower, Health, Pharmaceuticals, Textiles, IT, and Management among others.  

Through our SEC services, the private sector eco-system is strengthened by generating value for business development services and technical assistance services. The SEC IMPACT Evaluation conducted in 2018 for 5 years (2013-2017) shows 93 percent growth in SEC clients–40 percent of them rating the contribution of SEC Expert advice as crucial for their growth. This study of 205 SEC assignments shows that SEC experts have contributed to the creation of 4700 jobs and an increase in turnover of USD30 million in 138 institutions. Behavioral change in staff and management is the primary outcome of the contribution.

What approaches are taken by the organization to ensure that the impacts of all these initiatives are channeled to the most disadvantaged groups?

Swisscontact designs projects in a way that enable equal participation of men, women, disadvantaged groups in project activities, and project benefits are distributed equally to men, women, and the disadvantaged groups. In addition, we analyze and integrate, as part of our adaptive project management, the way “how” specific groups participate and what the impact of the project on the relation between men and women is. To create gender-positive and transformative outcomes and impacts, projects must consider affirmative actions regarding access to resources, opportunities, and rights that are aligned with our project goals and activities. In a context like Nepal, Gender and Social Inclusion (GESI) is key to sustainable and inclusive development. We ensure that GESI is mainstreamed in all our initiatives in Nepal.

To ensure that the impacts of all our initiatives in Nepal are channeled to the most disadvantaged groups, sex-disaggregated data are analyzed to monitor projects and to measure outcomes and impacts regarding gender equality. We collect sex-disaggregated data in all our projects for all indicators on all levels and aim at further disaggregation based on social status. In addition, we measure change with quantitative and qualitative indicators defined by each project. Based on reporting regarding gender and social exclusion, we continuously adapt our project interventions and document our experiences.

The award was presented in a ceremony in September on National Education Day, which was focused this year on the theme, “Inclusive and Skill-oriented Education: Retaining Youths within the Country, Nation’s Wish.”

The award was established just this year and is given to individuals or organizations making notable contributions by taking custody of and providing education to underprivileged children. 

Kopila Valley has been working since 2007 to educate children who are resource-limited in the Karnali region, to provide support for girls to stay in school, and to provide new career options and entrepreneurship opportunities to graduates who are already serving their local communities.

Kopila Valley works within a full-service community school model. Along with education, it provides a home for children without families, resources to help families with stability, a health and wellness program, and job training opportunities for parents.

Other recipients of the Social Welfare Education Award include SOS Children’s Village, Bhaktapur and Mala Kharel, Bal Sarathi Academy.

The government of Korea, through Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), provided grant assistance worth USD 10 million for the project “Integrated Rural Development of Nepal through Strengthening Research and Development Capacity of Kathmandu University”.

The main objective of this project is to strengthen the research and development capacity of Nepal and jointly work for improving quality of life and income status of people in rural communities in Nepal through technology innovation, according to KOICA.

KOICA established the Nepal Technology Innovation Center (NTIC) at KU along with provision of high end scientific equipment to develop business models with appropriate technology for rural and isolated regions. The outcomes of the research and innovation taking place in NTIC is targeted to improve the living standard of rural people by use of affordable tools and technologies created through the Research and Development.

In the ceremony, President Paudel highlighted the importance of technology enhancement in Nepal. “The NTIC will be positioned as an excellent platform to facilitate research innovation, start-ups and incubation for the innovators in Nepal and contributing to the overall education of Nepal,” he said, thanking the government of the Republic of Korea and people of Korea for people to people relations between the two countries.

Similarly, Park Tae-Young expressed his appreciation towards the Nepal government and the Korean government for years of prosperous relationship. 

Similarly, Country Director of KOICA Mooheon Kong expressed that the NTIC is one of the highly equipped labs in Nepal. “Once NTIC becomes fully functional it will be one of the best and most important research platforms in Nepal. Then the usages and benefits sharing shall be not only limited to national level but it shall also contribute at international level.”

The government of the Republic of Korea through KOICA has been working in the sector of Education, Health, Agriculture, and ICT since 1991. 

To start with, what initiatives have your organization taken to provide support to Nepal during the disasters?

 In Nepal, we constructed 1,800 units of permanent houses during the 1993 major flood for the flood victims in three villages which we called Great Love Village. Now these 1,800 families are living a self-sustaining moderately affluent lifestyle. We also provided the children of these families with education grants. Now these children have achieved very good accomplishments. During the 2015 earthquakes, we arrived in Kathmandu immediately upon receiving the news. At that time, the airplane could not land in Nepal due to the air congestion and so we had to land in India. Once the air congestion was cleared we immediately flew over to Nepal. We carried out a lot of disaster relief work at the disaster sites. We were the first batch of disaster relief medical team to arrive at the disaster site. We immediately set up a treatment area to treat and conduct surgery to those injured victims.  Because there was no light, we had to rely on using the solar light to treat the wound or to perform the surgical treatment. We even helped in the birth of the first baby after the earthquake disaster. 

Actually, our support to Nepal goes way back since 1993 during the major flood to 2015 major earthquakes and up until now, Tzu Chi has never left Nepal, the homeland of the Buddha. The Buddha was born in Nepal and grew up here for 29 years before he left this sacred land in Nepal to go to India. Nepal is the homeland of the Buddha. It is also the homeland for us, the Buddhist disciples. Wherever we work, we do not forget to introduce Nepal as the homeland of the Buddha. Now we are doing these charity works in Lumbini, in the hope that Buddha’s accomplishments will be known to the people worldwide.

Recently we performed a live musical sign language performance drama of the “Life of Buddha” that attracted more than 20,000 spectators.  From October 20-22, we will be performing at the Taipei Arena. If we are able to broadcast just a short section of the live performance, we will try to set up Zoom so that you can join and see the actual scene and how we have the drama on the “life of Buddha” from his birth to how he grew up in Kapilavastu to when he left Kapilavastu to renounce his secular life for spiritual cultivation on stage.

What other activities does the Foundation engage in apart from charity?

Tzu Chi does not get involved in political activities. We only offer assistance and spread love. In 1991, Tzu Chi went to Mainland China for disaster relief work. Tzu Chi has a huge mass of volunteers and they were all the local volunteers in Mainland China. We have hospitals in Beijing and Hebei.  During the flood disaster in Harbin, Tzu Chi distributed 200,000 of relief provisions to the disaster victims. We had built schools and the Great Love Village there, but we never participated in politics. In Lumbini, we will reach out to provide aid to the impoverished areas.

How did your Foundation help Nepal during the Covid-19 pandemic?

Nepal did not approach Tzu Chi for help but we spontaneously approached the government of Nepal and said that we are willing to offer help to the country. At that time, we chartered nine units of airplanes loaded with Covid-19 medical devices including N95 and surgical masks. We delivered these medical aid provisions to medical institutions in Kapilavastu. We provided medical aid to the rural villages up in the mountains. Because there were no roads, we used donkeys and horses to carry the medical supplies up to the mountaintop. We hope to provide our assistance, driven by pure love, kindness and compassion, to other places as long as there is the need. We are most willing to work together with the country and co-operate with the country’s needs to do what the country requires. While doing so, we comply with Tzu Chi’s principles.

What are some of the notable activities that Tzu Chi has conducted in Nepal?

In 1993, Tzu Chi spontaneously approached Nepal to find out how we could help you in disaster relief. The process was quite tough because at that time the people were not familiar with Tzu Chi. But we were able to construct 1,800 units of the permanent houses.

In 2015, we went back to that place again. When the people saw our blue and white uniform, they recognized the uniform and said ‘we know your people.’ The local people asked Tzu Chi volunteers where they came from. They said they came from Taiwan. The local residents there said ‘we are living in Taiwan village.’ We realized that they called the Great Love Villages ‘Taiwan villages.’ We connected with them through love and kindness, caring concern and enthusiasm. We tried all means to render our help and support to them. 

How do you get connected with Nepal? 

Tzu Chi was founded on the grounds of Buddhism. Tzu Chi attaches special importance to Nepal because it is the birthplace and homeland of the Buddha. Like I said earlier, the Buddha was born here and grew up here. He bestowed love and concern everywhere. He gave up his own luxurious lifestyle and let go of the worldly fame and status to be the King. He left his fabulous palace to seek the path of liberation and enlightenment. 

When I came to Nepal, I found the residents very friendly and amicable. They have mutual respect for each other. They are full of kindness and love and they are forbearing and accommodating. In Lumbini village, for example, there are those who live a very good life. There used to be caste-based discrimination in the past but there is no such discrimination at the moment. People live there together in harmony. This makes me feel that people in Nepal are very amicable, respectful and friendly. Despite these good things, Nepal still has impoverished places. This is because of lack of education and poverty. So children cannot still pursue their education. We must let these impoverished children pursue their education so that in future they would be able to live a good life.  “Education Promoting Zero Dropout Plan” is very important for Nepal. We must thoroughly implement this Plan and convince the parents to allow the children to go to schools.  

Our Tzu Chi volunteers are worried that this plan might not be fully realized simply by taking children to schools to study. The Buddha has said that regardless of any caste, everyone has the innate Buddha nature. We need to create a situation whereby the innate Buddha nature gets manifested. The only way to enable all people to be on an equal level is through education. 

You talked about “Education in Promoting Zero Droplet Plan.” How do you implement it in Nepal? How would it contribute to the development of the country? 

As I have already mentioned, the most important thing for transformation is education. Second, although Nepal is the birthplace of the Buddha, Buddhist devotees are few here. Thus not many people are aware of Buddha’s philosophy and teachings. We really want everyone to understand Buddhism and its philosophy. The Buddha has left behind the most important precious treasury and his wisdom. If everyone could hold this precious treasury in their hands and polish it and make it shine, everyone could understand Buddhism in accordance with Buddha’s heart of compassion to have mutual love for each other. Then the people would be able to transform themselves. 

I have come to Kapalivastu many times. Each time, I saw that roads were dirty and the traffic was in a mess. This time it was different.  I saw the traffic order is very good, the roads are clean and the environment is much better. I saw that citizens are willing to cooperate with mayors to accomplish development. 

We plan to build schools in Kapilavastu. Basically, the women in the rural villages have never stepped out from their houses. We introduced education and skills programs such as sewing skills for them. Now they sew clothes which we buy thus helping them in income generation. With the source of income, they are able to support their household needs. They have benefited from the program. They are not confined to household chores like in the past.

We plan to construct houses there. The male members of the community will participate in construction and they will also acquire skills and technology to construct houses. Then we will employ them to build houses in other places. This way, they will earn for themselves too. When both men and women are engaged in income generation they can better support the health and education needs of their children. Apart from this, we will also establish medical care services. We can have public health care services in the community. 

You participated in the Health Awards ceremony organized by Nepal Live Group. What did you feel about it? 

As I was in that august gathering of award distribution on September 8, I was thinking your health magazine, Swasthya Khabar Patrika, is very popular in Nepal. Health magazines are popular in Taiwan as well. We are grateful to you for recognizing our efforts in Nepal’s health sector by honoring us with a letter of appreciation. I am happy to see that our supplies of medical devices, wherever we have distributed them, are being used by the hospitals. I am grateful to those hospitals who accepted our provisions of the medical devices. I strongly believe and hope that Tzu Chi will become one of the sustainable partners of Nepal. 

That said, I would also like to emphasize that as much as physical health, mutual care and concern among the people and encouraging people to fulfill their social responsibility is equally important. Let me give you an example of a handful of rice. Suppose you are cooking a meal. You put five cups of rice inside the cooking pot, but you take out a handful of rice from the pot and put it in a container. When you do this for a month, for example, you will have collected enough to feed an impoverished family for one week. So this small act of kindness can do a lot to change the situation. This is what we have been doing in all places worldwide through our organization.

The second way in which you promote mutual well being is by working in cooperation with other overseas NGOs. Putting one dollar for charity, according to the International Economist, will have the effect of 13 dollars. If all the charity organizations from all places worldwide are able to come here to help out the people in need, they will be able to achieve a lot for Nepal.  

Any final words to our readers? 

Tzu Chi Master Cheng Yen believed in the idea of selfless contribution. She used to say that everyone has one lamp, when my lamp lights up your lamps, everyone’s lamp will be brightened up, yet the brightness of my lamp still remains. Every one person is like the firefly, with only one firefly, it will not glow, but with multi millions of fireflies, it will brighten up the world. 

She really hoped to light up the brightness of love. In the same way, everyone has the power of love. If everyone can come together to participate, every day without affecting your daily livelihood, deposit 50 cents or one handful of rice or half handful of rice, to participate in this act of kindness, accruing sand to form a tower, accumulate together, then you can reach out to help other villages. 

We envision a world where everyone has rice to eat, where there is no poverty. You can act as the little ant. It is not easy to eliminate poverty. But everyone puts in efforts, every one becomes the little ant and a firefly, everyone saves up one mouthful of rice, then we can make a difference in the lives of others. This is the greatest aspiration of Master Cheng Yen. 

We are also collaborating with a medical institution on a fatal acute leukocyte disease patient. The medical team from Taiwan and the medical team from Nepal team up together in this initiative. We hope that through such networking, we have the opportunity to come together to uplift the standard of medical care in Nepal. I also hope that for a sustainable planet, everyone will come together to promote plant-based vegetarianism. When people eat less meat, it will also contribute to reducing climate change impacts. Your media can also promote this cause. We want to spread the teachings of the Buddha across the world. Let all the people around the world know Nepal better. Let all the people around the world know the birthplace of the Buddha.

These Big Sisters play multiple roles as educators, mentors, and guides, not just for teachers and students, but also for parents and the entire community. They hold social positions within the community and generously offer their time, whether it’s in community, schools, or local government offices, all with the goal of improving children’s education and promoting awareness about eliminating harmful practices that exist in society.

Over the course of two years, these 60 Big Sisters have orchestrated noticeable transformations in 60 community schools, impacting both education and societal dynamics. Their remarkable efforts have garnered widespread recognition and admiration. These Big Sisters are volunteers who have been enlisted by the “SIKAI Project,” which seeks to enhance inclusive and high-quality education for disadvantaged children, reintegrate students who had dropped out of school, and create a favorable learning environment.

 Additionally, each Big Sister is supported by a team of 10 youthful volunteers who actively support them in addressing local needs and fostering social change.The Big Sisters receive assistance from these social volunteers and reciprocate by offering home visits and other support when required. Local residents have come to understand that these outstanding endeavors demonstrate the possibility of achieving community-driven accomplishments, propelling localized social transformation and positive progress. The Big Sisters assume a pivotal role in elevating the educational standards for every child within the schools. They cultivate close relationships with the students, fostering an atmosphere in which children feel at ease sharing their concerns. Subsequently, the Big Sisters promptly engage with parents, teachers, and relevant stakeholders to address these issues and find immediate solutions. To accomplish this, all Big Sisters collaborate closely with their respective community schools, facilitating connections and communication among teachers, parents, School Management Committee and Parents Teachers Association.

A compelling illustration of the influence of Big Sisters can be observed through the case of Pabitra (name changed), a student at one of the secondary schools in Jaimini Municipality. Pabitra and some of her friends had discontinued their school attendance due to physical mistreatment in school. Big Sister intervened and successfully resolved this issue by discussing the issue with the principal and concerned committee. After this incident the school and teachers have ensured to create a fostered learning environment for all students. Pabitra now feels at ease and secure while at school, and she no longer hesitates to seek assistance from teachers when faced with difficulties. This serves as a representative example of how a child-friendly learning environment, initiated by a Big Sister, can have a profound impact.

The impact of the Big Sisters in their respective areas is so significant that they are now regarded as the first responders to various social issues within their communities.

According to Bimal Sharma, the monitoring and evaluation officer at BYC, a local organization partnering with the SIKAI Project, over the last two years, Big Sisters have played a central role in motivating more than 200 students on the brink of dropout to rejoin the school. Even children who previously attended school irregularly have now established a regular attendance pattern.

Devi Sharma, serving as a Big Sister at Dalit Utthan Basic School in Jaimini Municipality, emphasizes her dedicated efforts in visiting students’ homes and engaging with their parents. Through patient explanations and effective communication, they successfully convinced the children to return to school.

The impact of these Big Sisters in their respective areas is so significant that they are now regarded as the first responders to various social issues within their communities. Parents have come to believe that they can also play a crucial role as first responders, particularly in cases where their children require regular counseling at school. The Big Sisters collaborate with parents, resulting in increased attendance of students in their respective schools. Additionally, proactive participation in extracurricular activities and evidence led by the Child Clubs has seen a rise.

Despite their impactful work, the Big Sisters face numerous challenges, including the geographical remoteness of some areas. “To reach certain parents, they endure arduous journeys lasting two to three hours, crossing rivers, hills, and forests, with the constant fear of encountering wild animals. Moreover, during the rainy season, the path becomes slippery, further complicating their efforts,” explains Big Sister Srijana BK from Unique Aadharbhut School.

Devi Sharma, another Big Sister, shares her own initial challenges. “Parents initially didn’t seem to care whether their children attended school,” she said. “They would often shut their doors when we visited their homes and accused me of lecturing them.” Devi Sharma remembers unfortunate incidents, including facing physical attacks such as being pelted with stones while walking on the road. However, by patiently explaining the importance of education, emphasizing future benefits, and highlighting the services provided by the school, they gradually earned the trust of the community, resulting in a positive transformation.Despite the hardships they face, the Big Sisters find fulfillment in their work, which has become an integral part of their identity within the community. People of all ages affectionately refer to them as “Thulididi” (Big Sisters). Devi Sharma states, “Nowadays, I myself feel like my name is Thulididi because that’s how it feels.” All the Big Sisters share a common sentiment that the challenges encountered during their volunteer work are overshadowed by the visible positive changes in their surroundings, inspiring them to continue their efforts in the days to come.

Inaugurating the event, acting Water Supply Minister and the Minister for Labor, Employment and Social Security, Sharat Singh Bhandari, said the event would provide a significant guideline for actions required to implement to achieve the goals in WASH. Similarly, Water Supply Ministry secretary Ram Adhar Shah said the Conclave will audit challenges and opportunities in the area of WASH, promoting accountability on the part of stakeholders for sectoral improvement. Accomplishments so far in WASH were possible due to collective efforts and commitments and joint endeavor ahead are equally needed to meet the remaining objectives, he said.

The Conference is also expected to announce its future strategy in WASH. Secretary at the Ministry of Urban Development, Rabindranath Shrestha, urged authorities concerned to choose projects viable for implementation instead of working on unfeasible ones. Joint-Secretary at the Ministry of Water Supply, Tiresh Prasad Khatri said the thematic papers would be analysed and reviewed on the first day of the National Conclave today while a declaration along with the conclusion regarding the works to be carried out on various themes in the coming days would be issued on the second day tomorrow. He added that the Conclave will provide guidelines towards meeting the SDG related to providing clean drinking water by 2030. The Conclave will also formulate a concrete strategy to fulfilling this SDG.

More than 400 municipalities have developed their WASH related plans. The government has also announced to conduct a National WASH Campaign this year. UNICEF Nepal’s deputy representative Jee Hyun Rah stressed on the need of pursuing such programs attaching priority to inclusiveness and the marginalized communities. She suggested carrying out works related to drinking water, sanitation and hygiene through joint efforts by increasing investment and through the effective implementation of the existing legal provisions. Chief Executive Officer of National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), Anil Pokharel said every infrastructure of the WASH sector should be constructed keeping in mind the disaster management aspect.

In Nepal, 95 percent of the population has access to basic drinking water and of this, 26 percent has drinking water facilities with treatment plan. Similarly, 95 percent of the population has access to toilet facility while 10 percent has sewerage management facility as well.