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Road to small successes
Entry 14 of 19 | show all | print this entry |
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Today I can finally speak of some successes in my project here. Initially, I spent a lot of time observing the village and getting to know the people through my English classes in the evenings. Here goes:
Problem 1: The diet of the villagers is very limited because fruit and vegetables are too expensive for them to buy. Since I have been with my host family, for the last 3 weeks, I have eaten the same meal 3 times a day: the same daal, potatoes and rice.
Solution: I have provided the village women with seeds. One packet of each item has been shared out between at least 20 households. Today I was knee high in mud as I prepared Amaa's small back garden to sow the vegetable seeds. Instead of fertile little areas going to waste, why not use them for growing vegetables that'll balance their diet? In addition, I demonstrated to the ladies how old, broken plastic buckets and containers can be used to grow simple vegetables such as tomatoes, aubergine, okra, beans, bitter gourd, carrots, cauliflowers and egg plants. Some of the flower beds have also been converted into vegetable beds.
Another accomplishment worth mentioning is that Amaa finally sat down and had a meal with me. Prior to this, like all Nepali women she would feed us all, even if I were alone, before she ate herself. There were times in the evenings after class, when Amaa would look exhausted from her non-stop life since 4AM, I would insist she sat with me, but she would refuse out of shyness. Today, Amaa presented me with a stool to watch while she did the work; but I refused and spent the entire morning with her, helping her clean up her back yard and getting as filthy as her, and she now must regard me as a friend rather than a foreign guest because after we washed up, she sat down with me and we had our first meal together. Believe you me, I couldn't stop smiling from ear to ear.
Problem 2: The main employer of the village, Himal Cement, shut down six years ago leaving a large number of both men and women unemployed - majority still waiting their compensation package. This has led to men loitering in the street corners spending all day gambling, playing pool and increased the amount of drinking that goes on. You may ask, well why don't they help out in the fields, etc? Well it's a caste thing, these men are beyond working in the feilds according to their caste system. In this particular caste, only women work in the fields and do the house hold chores.
Solution: I have requested the CCSV staff to find a cottage industry that may deliver piece work to the villagers. After some brainstorming we decided we could approach some stationery makers to supply paper and glue for envelopes and binder and such items. I can see that not all the men will come rushing to take up this work, but even if 5 out of these 20 men decide to do some work, it'll prevent them from remaining 'parasites' to their society as they demand money from their wives to fund their leisurely lifestyle and also prevent broken marriages where wives have left their husbands and taken the kids to their parents' homes. Also, if we start with a handful, they may encourage others to do the same eventually.
Problem 3: About 60 women are now part of the Gramine Micro-Credit system that has been brought over from Bangladesh. A number of these women have repaid at least 2 loans and each time qulaify for a further increased loan. Most of these loans pay for their childrens' education, home repairs, maintaining the household and other small expenditures. Some of these women have opened small shops in the village, and are now making a profit which is being deposited in a Gramine savings account. The illiterate of these women, you could say 90% of them, have taken loans as much as Rs10,000 but have no idea where the money was spent and have no concept of budgeting.
Solution: We have purchased Day Books and I am now teaching them 'Hisaab-Kitaab', daily accounts. I initially trained the educated ladies, most of whom are part of the Women's Association, to keep track of their money which will help them save. Now they help me in my classes as I am unable to teach in Nepali or Newari. Each lady takes 2 students and then helps follow what I'm doing on the white board. This way, in small groups, we are spreading the message and I'm hoping these women will keep better track of the huge loans they have taken out.
Problem 4: The group study session has led to a realisation that a large number of women can not read and write Nepali and have no numerical ability.
Solution: Quite a God send, I met a Nepali woman called Mangala one evening in a tea shop in Thamel while I was pondering what to do at the village. We got chatting and it just so happens that Mangala is a Masters graduate in Sociology and volunteers in villages in literacy and hygiene education programs. She was looking for more work. Managala came to Chobar yesterday and she will start her first class this Sunday. God works in mysterious ways...
Problem 5: There is an incomplete community centre in the village. A generous passer-by donated RS10,000 for the windows which are in the process, but a lot of interior work remains.
  
Solution: We are now actively seeking donations to raise Rs90,000 to complete this community centre. This will serve as a better class room for the women literacy program but also as a much needed clinic. At present the nearest doctor is in Kirthipur. Salve knows of an NGO that will provide a free doctor once a week to the village. We will also create a small library in there once the building is complete - which I hope happens soon. We have to think of creative ideas to raise money.
Problem 6: There is no regular source of income for the villagers
Solution: Organise small tourist excursions to the village and it's surroundings. Chobar is a haven away from the pollution and noise of Kathmandu with breath taking, panoramic views every corner you turn. Nearby, a short walk away, is a lake and Asia's third largest caves. Theo is already helping by offering to display the producst of the village every Saturday at the Chobat Cafe Haath Market. This idea, I hope, will create a source of income to the people who guide the tourists, as well as a small shop displaying local handicraft. My only worry is the tourist agencies exploitng the villagers, who are simple people, and not paying them what they deserve. Watch this space for more on this idea...
  
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| 14. | Road to small successes - Chobar, Nepal May 16, 2007 (  9 ) |
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