Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
School Partners
Country Information Pack:
Nepal
For consideration by: <<org name>>
Photo: Anna de la Vega
2
Contents
Introduction……………………………………………………3
Practical Action in Nepal…….……………………………….5
Project Spicing Up Lives…….………...……………………..6
Project Safer…………………………………………………..8
Thank You and the Next Step…….…………………………...9
Registered Office: The Schumacher Centre, Bourton-on-Dunsmore, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV23 9QZ, UK
T +44 (0)1926 634400 | F +44 (0)1926 634401 | E [email protected] | W www.practicalaction.org
_
Practical Action is a registered charity and company limited by guarantee.
Company Reg. No. 871954, England | Registered Charity No. 247257| VAT No. 880 9924 76 | Patron HRH The Prince of Wales, KG, KT, GCB
3
We live in a rapidly changing world. Technological advances are making our lives easier, we can make more
things quicker and better increasing our income and therefore our quality of life … in the developed world,
that is. The truth is that technological development is focused on meeting the needs of rich consumers.
Scant attention is paid to the vital needs of people in the developing world.
Practical Action aims to challenge this. We work
together with poor communities, developing and
using appropriate, sustainable technologies to
provide practical solutions to poverty. We want to
take this opportunity to show you what we mean by
‘technology’ and the impact these simple,
sustainable solutions have on poor people.
Practical Action's vision is one of “Technology
Justice: a sustainable world free of poverty and
injustice in which technology is used for the
benefit of all.” We want you to be a part of this; a
part of our mission to free communities, families,
people from the depths of poverty.
Photo: Dilmaya working on the rubbish dumps/ Practical Action Nepal
Photo: Proud in her new school uniform after working with Practical Action/
Practical Action Nepal
“All human beings have the right to aspire to satisfy their basic requirements. To be
poor not only signifies incapacity to cover basic necessities, but also exclusion from
the opportunity of developing one's capacities to fulfil a productive and creative role
in society, as well as having limited possibilities to make one's own claims heard.”
– Unicef 2002
4
Practical Action’s work demonstrates that it doesn’t take much to change the lives of poor people. Small
investments in training, technology and building peoples capacity have huge impacts on the lives of
vulnerable people throughout the developing world.
Our experience over the last 48 years has highlighted this potential to change lives which in turn enables
people in fragile areas to be drivers of change, not victims of circumstance.
For our founding members of the School Partners Programme we are focussing on the country of Nepal
and would like to offer you the opportunity to be part of this and have a life changing impact on the poor
people of this country.
We would like to invite you to support Nepal. We want to give you the opportunity to feel more connected
to our cause. Nepal is a country ravaged by poverty; one that could really benefit from your support.
Please read our fascinating stories about the work that Practical Action does and the impact your support
could have on the incredible people we work with,
Thank you -
Simon Trace
Simon Trace CEO
Photo
: S
chool C
hildre
n/ P
ractical Action N
epal
5
Practical Action in Nepal
Practical Action’s work began in Nepal in 1979. Most of
the work was around micro-hydro; harnessing the power of
water to provide energy for remote communities.
In 1998 Practical Action opened an office in Nepal and
began to diversify; working in other areas of renewable
energy and areas of development such as food and
agriculture, rural transport and disaster management.
Currently, together with partner organisations, Practical
Action is contributing towards sustaining live and
livelihoods of poor people by providing technological
solutions. But not technology as we may first know it. Not
computers and software, the latest iphone or tablet. But
simple technologies; technologies that will enable people
to grow food through droughts, such as drought resistant
seeds. Irrigation and water storage systems that will
enable people to have water all year round. Flood warning
systems that will alert a community when a flood is
coming and boats to help them evacuate.
This is what we mean by technology. It doesn’t have to be complicated, but it is life saving.
Background
Nepal is beautiful. Its rugged landscape and vibrant cities make it a jewel in Asia’s crown. But this beautiful
country holds some dark secrets. Despite some progress in poverty reduction in recent years, Nepal remains
one of the poorest countries in the world; with over 30% of Nepalese people living on less than £8.50 per
month, that’s just 30p a day. The mid and far-west regions of Nepal are by far the poorest with 46% of
people living in poverty. Much of Practical Action’s work in Nepal is focused on the extreme areas of poverty
within the country. By choosing to support our programme work in Nepal you will be helping some of the
poorest people in this country.
Nepal
Photo: Using a gravity ropeway to get produce to market/
Anna de la Vega
6
Deep in the remote mountains and foothills in Western Nepal live a community of poor small holder farmers,
many of whom are Dalits. Nepal retains its centuries-old caste system, and the Dalits or ‘untouchables’
suffer at the hands of this system; they are the lowest of the low in Nepalese society, cast out by the rest.
They suffer from restriction of use of amenities and services, they don’t benefit from economic improvements
and are generally forgotten by the state. Socially they are cast out by the rest of society and not able to
benefit from schooling.
The Problem
Farmers here are eking out a living from dry dusty land and they don’t have
the knowledge or materials to make the very best of the land they have.
What’s more they are desperately trying to get their produce to market
without knowing the best methods possible.
With inadequate farming methods and poor supply chains these farmers are
unable to generate a decent income. With no money they can’t provide for
their families - healthcare, schooling and food are a mere dream, and their
cycle of poverty continues.
Most Dalits make their living out of small holder farming. That means they have just a small plot of land to
grow crops on and rear animals. It’s so important that they make the most of this so that they can earn a
decent wage. But without the knowledge how can this happen?
On top of this, children's health is poor in these communities; that can only to be expected in a community
lacking access to health services. What’s more their poor diet will put them at risk of infectious diseases and
the lack of basic education means health awareness in these communities is low. Because of this lack of
education, financial, cultural and other circumstances, their living conditions are unhygienic, contributing to
their poor health.
Nepal - Project: Spicing up Lives
So how do we begin to address such a wealth of problems? This is the unique
approach that Practical Action takes; by looking at one problem, in fact we are
addressing many...
Photo: Dalit family, Western Nepal/
Julie Brown
7
The Solution
Practical Action has been working with poor small holder farmers to give them the knowledge to improve
the quality of their spice and vegetable crops and animals, and improve the ways in which they get their
produce to market.
Many of these farmers have made their meagre
living through growing crops such as rice, that
they can sell relatively easily. However, they
haven’t been able to make a decent living for a
variety of reasons; insects eating the crops, the
poor availability of water and not possessing
the raw materials necessary. Practical Action
is working with them to train them in a variety
of farming methods so that they have a mix of
products, for example, increasing their
production of goats by providing training in
breeding techniques, disease management and
animal health care and providing quality feed.
These new efficient farming methods enable the
farmers to produce better quality food. With better
produce they have more bargaining power when selling
to markets. Practical Action is also helping farmers to
gain better access to the markets in which their
produce is sold.
Our involvement doesn’t end there. Practical Action is
working with women farmers, pregnant women and
schools to ensure that nutritional awareness and the
benefits of a healthy diet is promoted within the
community.
“I remember the
proud moment of
offering green
vegetables to my
relatives and
neighbours instead of
what I expected from
others in the past.”
- Pantha Singh Ale, Nepal
Photo: Goat farmer, Nepal/Anna de la Vega
Nepal - Project: Spicing up Lives
8
The Problem
When you’re poor you don’t have a lot of choice where you live. Those
with the smallest income are often forced to live in places that are at
risk of natural disasters or provide no means of making a living. Sadly
for many in Nepal this is a reality, whether you are widowed,
supporting your family whilst your husband works away, elderly or
disabled, the chance are you live in a place like this. A place where
no one else wants to live.
In Nepal this tends to be alongside its many rivers which are fed by the melting snow and monsoon rains.
The rivers are at risk of erosion and flooding. Which mean its inhabitants are at risk and vulnerable. At risk of
losing their homes, crops, possessions and even their lives.
The Solution
At Practical Action we work to build resilience into
communities affected by natural disasters like this. We don’t
want to just be reactive in a situation like this, we want to be
proactive. It’s important to us that the community doesn’t
just have the wherewithal to rebuild their lives after the flood,
but can safely escape the floods before they happen -
ensuring their families and possessions are safe from the
floods, so that they can continue afterwards with relative ease.
Practical Action has been working with communities in Nepal to ensure the safety of 312,000 women, men
and children against flooding. By putting in place Early Flood Warning Systems and training key people in
the community and government villagers can ensure themselves and their belongings are evacuated before
the floodwater hits. When time is not on our side, in the instance of flash floods, there is little time to alert
communities, so Practical Action has ensured the appropriate equipment is in place such as boats, ropes and
life jackets with properly trained community members to ensure stranded villagers get to safety.
Nepal - Project: Safer
Photo: Villagers fleeing floods/ Practical Action Nepal
Photo: Boys wearing life jackets/ Practical Action Nepal
“The flood does not scare us now. When the flood is about to come we get an early
warning of four to five hours. We hear the sirens ringing and immediately start moving
our family and important documents to a safer place”
- Manakala Thapa
9
Thank you and the Next Step
Our Work
These are just two examples of the amazing work that is happening in Nepal. There is just too much to talk
about. We haven’t mentioned the fantastic rice duck farming project which provides an eco-friendly
pesticide when the ducks eat the insects, a natural fertilizer for the rice, in the form of their dung and a
livelihoods for Nepalese farmers. Nor have we mentioned the work we are doing with communities suffering
from indoor smoke pollution; providing alternative cooking solutions to minimise the number of deaths and
illnesses caused by smoke.
But if you decide to join the School Partners Programme we will make sure that you are kept up to date
with all our projects in Nepal
How your support will help
By joining this programme your school will be contributing to the welfare of poor communities in Nepal .
Supporting this country enables Practical Action to continue its vital work. Giving poor people the
knowledge and wherewithal to grow food, access to basic but necessary services, safe clean water and
energy and a voice within their country.
Your support will help these people lift themselves out of poverty. Your support will make a difference. Your
support will change lives.
Thank you for your consideration, what next?
We appreciate you taking time to considerer our proposal. We
hope you have found this small insight into the work that we do
in Nepal useful. Should you have any further questions please
do not hesitate to contact me on 01926 634513 or email me
If you decide to take part in our Schools Partners Programme
please complete the form and return it in the envelope provided
or alternatively contact me on the details above. We can then
arrange a meeting at your convenience.
Photo: Nepalese girls/ Practical Action Nepal
