Helping Hands!!

Dear All friends and well wishers from all over the world!

It’s our pleasure to let you know that we all together have been able to send 90 children to school this year. children having single/no parents, from marginalized communities and disadvantaged groups have been supported by providing them required stationery goods, uniforms and other related equipments. A small support from all of us has collectively and significantly contributed to provide the basic livelihood opportunities to these most disadvantaged and deserving children of remote mountain villages of Rasuwa.
At least we can expect to see these little ones having better life and better livelihood opportunities in future with the base of education. Still thousands of children of school age are out of school. Even if we can not support all of them, even if we can not change the less effective teaching system of the country, even if we can not bring the warmth of motherly affection into the life of orphans, still we can do something for them. A small support from all of us either idea, time or money collectively becomes a huge support for the small target groups and becomes a meaningful project as we did.
I am sure everyone who helped us directly or indirectly is feeling proud of what he/she did and will be feeling the “Joy of Giving”.
I would like to thank all of our well wishers and supporters for their valuable contribution. Without their support, our project would not have been succeeded. We will be expecting your same contribution and same enthusiasm in upcoming days too.

Special Thanks goes to the following for their extensive effort and contribution in raising funds to make this year’s project possible.

Nara-Sasha and team (fund raised from Australia and England): 60 scholarships

http://www.ganesh-himal.be/ ASBL, Liege, Belgium: 25 scholarships

Purushottam Joshi, Korea: 5 scholarships

For helping to bring light of education in the life of all those LITTLE PRINCE & PRINCES,

On the behalf of organizer, Kishan Devkota

Lets send some more kids to School in 2009!!

As final month in the Nepali Calendar has been seen in the wall, I have got busy days preparing myself for keeping some kids at the school and trying to send some more poor kids of remote mountain villages of Nepal to the school who have not got opportunity of education due to extreme hunger, poverty and so many other reasons.
Time has been arrived to put our effort to help them to go to school and continue their study. Education will eventually provide them best livlihood opportunities in the future. Our small effort will bring new colourul days in the life of those less fortunate and disadvantaged kids from the marginalised and remote communities.
Lets save small amount of money despite global recession in the economy and put our collective effort which will help us to hit the network of so many contemporary issues of mountain villages of Nepal.
To support us for this mission, Please visit www.ecwz.org.np and try to make small donations. Lets feel the "Joy of Giving"!!!!

Photo:- by Laura

My village in Google Earth

This is the picture of my village taken through Google Earth.

American in Maoist Flag?

It was the first day of CA meeting. I took this photos in Babarmahal as an Amerian man was holding a red flag of Maoist and was supporting them crying for slogans. It was a sort of strange scence for me so took photo of him.

Still Political Dispute Continues

people had an imagination of the peace and democracy after CA elction but the events prove that this country is not going to be in the correct way. I am frustrated with my own life, I am frustrated with my own system, I am frustrated with my own Govt. and I am frustrated with my own destiny. Nothing good can happen to this country. It look like this, what a shame!

Education for all!!

It was another joy to distribute scholarship to more than 70 children this year too. I wish no any kids left school just because their family can not afford for their education. Thanks to everyone from Slovenia, Australia, England, Belgium, who supported us to send many children to school. I specially would like to thank Nara from Australia, Sasha from England, Mojca and Zhenda from Slovenia, Ganesh-Himal Team from Belgium. (Last Photograph by: Laura O'Neill)

Welcome to Federal Republic Nepal

Constitional Monarchy is no more in Nepal.

Next monsoon; the next trouble!

I still remember those hard days to the people who were displaced by landslide in 2006. Life under a big rock was not less then the human life in stone age. Monsoon season is coming soon and of course more troubles with it. Lets hope and pray, nothing wrong will happen to these poor and disadvantaged people this year.

Use free time in productive work

This lady has a shop. She works with these stuffs when she does not have customer at shop. Even if she is illiterate, she seems to properly utilize her time in productive way. She can be a good example for the people who live in city and have free time.

Village Eco-Tourism in Jhyanglang Village

“Aama, may I help you with Kitchen work?”, Mojca, a 21 years old girl from Slovenia asks mother of host family with respect and in reply mother smiles and shakes her head saying “of course”. In Jhyanglang village of Rasuwa near Kalikasthan, rural village eco-tourism has started already with few European tourists to watch traditional culture of Hindus and Buddhist. Mojca enjoyed her 3 nights and 2 days cooking tea for family, cutting grass, doing some kitchen work and having experience with the traditional music and culture.
Child Club (http://www.newhorizonchildrens.blogspot.com/) have established a child library and cultural centre with the help of tourists and special support from http://www.ganesh-himal.be/ ASBL, Belgium. “It can be a good way to improve local economy and specially for the children, this can be a good source of income through which they can do a lot of things”, 45 years old French Kacem Tuoak says.

Stop Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking!!

Still so many women are being suffered from domestic violence and girls have been trafficked to feed prostitution network. Voice to eliminate the unfair gender discrimination practice has been raised but still there are thousands of discrimination cases around our area.

Deusi –Vailo as a Fundraiser Event

In rural Nepal, Deusi-Vailo (a cultural musical event specially performed in Dipawali festival) program is well performed every year by group of kids, adolescents and by adults. People visit houses with the musical event and the households are supposed to give some money, rice, sel roti (special ring-shaped bread made from rice floor, sugar in oil) and fruits. In this way people raise money and entertain others. Nowadays, it has been a fundraiser event for clubs and other social groups. This year, our sister concern New Horizon Children’s Club organised Deusi-Vailo program to raise fund for a child library in village. Money to buy furniture has been received from Ganesh-Himal.be ASBL, Belgium. So we are trying to gather money to buy textbooks, child magazines and other stuffs that could be useful for kids.
We (ECWZ Nepal and NHCC) raised about 10000 NC from Deusi-Vailo, which is good. We slept only 3 hours for 3 days of the festival. This year’s Dipawali Festival was for Child Library. No cards, no cinema, no family gathering but only Deusi-Vailo. I wish to see a child library before I start my master’s degree uni classes. We have another street drama project originally granted by Action Aid. We hope to save some money to give it to child club to buy more library stuffs. ECWZ Nepal has started Child Initiative through Children’s Club. This type of program will help children to build up their capacity and will make them responsible to their family, community and country.

Children’s Club, to make positive difference in community

Kabita Devkota, Treasurer of the New Horizon Children’s Club (NHCC), has been the busiest girl in village. Studying in grade 9 at Nilakantha Model Secondary School, wakes up early as she needs to help her parents cooking food and for other household works. Apart from her home works, she has big responsibility of running her children’s club. She was a shy girl up to last year but now she has been one of the active leaders in her team and in school. She is a dancer as well, who has learnt the ancient dance called Balan and some modern dance also. Children’s club has built her confidence and capacity. Another girl Chameli lives with her married sister as her brother-in-law is in Malaysia for employment. She needs to help her sister doing all the works in home, attending school classes and providing time for Children’s Club. Ramchandra, studying at Grade 10 and the President of the Club is now advocating for the Child Rights and other issues regarding children and is a good actor in street dramas. Through this club, children are supporting the organisations and other groups in the community to ensure their welfare. Within one year of their establishment, NHCC has been more effective and more powerful than any Women’s Group and consumer club of their area. Highly inspired and self-motivated children around 200 from more than 7 villages are trying to establish themselves as an ideal child club in the country. They have started child initiatives as they think they are “Children to make difference”. Through this type of Child Club, children can develop their skills and capacity as well as they can develop the feeling of responsibility and belongingness among the children for their family, community and country.
New Horizon Children's Club (NHCC)

Vote for Mount Everest!!!

whoever you are and wherever you live, if you love Nepal, please do vote for Sagarmatha National park (Mount Everest Area) as the one of the seven Natural wonder of the World! I truly believe that million people will love to see Mount Everest as one of the seven Natural wonders of the world!!!

Please nominate Sagarmatha National Park as the Seventh Natural Wonders of the world Please nominate Sagarmatha National Park as the Seventh Natural Wonders of the world. The closing date for nomination is Aug 8, 2008. For nomination please log on to :

http://www.natural7wonders.com/index.php?id=637

How to nominate?

Please follow the following instruction.

For Nomination Please type Sagarmatha Park, Nepal

For Categories Please choose Nature Conservation Park

For Country Please choose Nepal

Please note that you will receive an email with hyperlink to confirm your nomination. You just need to click on the hyperlink to confirm your voting. Note: You can submit up to a maximum of 7 nominations or just 1 nomination. Your vote can establish the glory and pride of Sagarmatha and create million dollar publicity for Nepal. Thank you vote your support. The nominations will continue through 08.08.08. Then a panel of experts will create a list of 21candidates from which voters worldwide will elect the 7 wonders of nature. (Source : www.welcomenepal.com)

Amazing Syafrubesi

Photo : Hem Khatiwada (Pic.1) and Cliff Clohessey

We had a great time while we were at Syafrubesi for trekking. Warm hospitality at Hotel Sky, Syafrubesi and amazing view from view tower Goljung made our trip wonderful. Lakpa Tamang of Hotel Sky became a perfect guide for us!! I love Syafrubesi!

Gosainkund Mela Begins

Gosainkund (also known as holy frozen lake) is going to be full of humans there year too. After next week, people from different part of the country will start pilgrimage trek of Gosainkund as that time will be the festival time for the Hindus and Buddhists.

These small cottages are called "Tharpu", as hotels are not enough to provide facility to more than 25000 people within a week. Devotees believe that if they dip once into the lake, they can get rid of all the sins and crimes they have ever committed in their life. Washing away sins means washing bad attitudes, washing bad intentions and bad thought....

Pain of the Landslide

Rasuwa has been highly suffering from landslide. There are several big landslide throughout the district. Development process has been interrupted due to natural disaster. Millions of rupee has been spent for the solution of this issue but still people have been suffering from the same problem. This is the landslide of Dhobi khola (near kalikasthan), which has seperated villages of south east of Rasuwa from the main market Kalikasthan. Thousands of people need to cross this landslide daily to carryout their day to day work. Students, farmers, Govt. employees and other people walk through this landslide every day. Ke garne????

Ramaailo!!

It was a great time at Sahid Smarak, Hetauda!!

Five Days in Hetauda

After jumping into a TATA SUMO, I realised that our training was completed. We never got chance to think about anything else except training and other related matters. Five days training was effective and I enjoyed it very much. Although it was my first time to be participated in such kind of training, I did not leave a single opportunity to unfold my capacity and my deep interest in learning.
We were 33 people from 11 districts, and most of the participants lived together in a same building. That's why within short period we became close friends and the best thing was all of us were from top level of each organisation. We shared our ideas, tried to get resolution of each other's issue and enjoyed whole time as we used to sleep only 3 hours a day!!!!

Global Warming, an emerging issue

ECWZ organized a speech competition on the occasion of World Environment Day 2007. Prizes were sponsored by Langtang National Park / WWF Nepal. Topic was “Melting Ice, a hot topic”

Destination Gosainkund

Although it was monsoon, we sucessfully managed a trekking to Gosainkund (Non-frozen frozen lake). It was full of Adventure and fun as I was with my uni friends.

ECWZ Sponsorship Programme 2007 at a glance

In the pictures, first picture is of Bishnu, one of the ECWZ supported student, who scored highest marks in exam. Second picture is of Budiman, whose mother has got paralysis and has 5 sister and one brother (altogether 7). He needed immediate support so ECWZ provided him sponsorship to keep him at school. Third one is of the children performing dance from NHCC and fourth one is of me, Dharma, Principal and one teacher from neighbour school in the program.

Sponorship project 2007

Sponorship project 2007
Originally uploaded by Kishan Devkota.

ECWZ started second year of its 5 year Educational Sponsorship project called SOCIAL AWARENESS THROUGH EDUCATION. ECWZ provided full scholarship for 70 children for the academic year 2007-2008.
Thanks to our well wishers and supporters. I hope this kind of support will remain in future days too.

Thanks to Ganesh-Himal Team

NHCC office painted by Ganesh-Himal
Originally uploaded by Kishan Devkota.

This is the one roomed office made by Village Development Commettee but not in use currently. We are trying to establish a children's library and a cultural centre here. Children can read books of their interest and they can learn ancestral culture also. Room is not very big but children can take advantages from it. Antoine and Sophie from Genesh-Himal Team from Belgeum (www.ganesh-himal.be) painted the wall of this building. Thanks to Antoine and Sophie.

Me and dad

Me and dad
Originally uploaded by Kishan Devkota.

This picture was taken during New Year Celebration with NHCC. I was invited there as the Chief Guest (I am not their guest though) in the function. My dad (in white shirt and cap) and my brother (Gagan; wearing capnext to me) are in the stage as guest (dad is chairman of management committee of the village school and Gagan is teacher there).

Happy New Year 2064!

Baloon Dance
Originally uploaded by Kishan Devkota.

New Year celebration with NHCC was so amazing!! Kids danced in adult songs, parents played kid's games, kids performed their song, dance, poetry and jokes. Finally they managed to show their docu Drama (Blind Faith) and pictures of their previous shows. A full day show was very good and people liked it.
Happy New Year 2064!! In Nepali calendar, we are in 2064, 57 year ahead than English calendar. Lets hope New year will bring peace and harmony in the world.

Fear of GANDAK

It is quite strange that village people have unknown fear. They don't know what they are afraid of. When I visited there last time by the end of March, I was shocked to know that kids and even adults don't walk outside during evening and night. I wanted to show kids docu drama and pictures, so I borrowed a television and a DVD player from a neighbour. Iwanted all the kids and adults to come and watch TV at my parents home, but only about 50 people arrived. When I was small, my parents also used to frighten me saying these stuffs, so it would be biggest fear for us during monsoon, while there are bushes and crops everywhere. In fact parents wanted me to stay at home but I always used to go away. But now it is quite different, that people think this is real. They think there are some strange people who are either from India or from southern Nepal who come to hiils and take kids with them putting them into a big bag (either killing or alive) to sell themback to India. If they kill kids, they sell kidney and ohter body parts and if kids are aive, they are used in circus or they make kids handicapped after cutting their hands/legs and make them begger. This may happen but the fear of people is really strange. In my opinion,people should not have such fear because it is nearlyimpossible for the people of south to go to hills alone while there is strikes and fighting in south. Not only in few villages but in whole 3 districts, people are afraid of this GANDAK. BEWARE!!!!

Tourism for Overall Rural Development (TORD)

Village
Originally uploaded by Kishan Devkota.

Village tourism/ rural tourism is attracting and serving tourists in villages through local skill, product and culture. Nepal has more than 103 ethnic groups and 93 spoken languages (source: - NTB). This native apartness of the communities can be attraction for several foreigners, as the result they can be a unique tourism product to receive thousands of tourists in villages, which finally can contribute to boost up local economy. Nepal has several indigenous ethnic groups, which have native and unique identities with their own culture, languages and customs. Villages can be best place for researchers, volunteers, project managers and anyone who wish to experience Nepalese culture and traditions plus real part of the country. In Nepal there is good scope of village tourism. Rural villages are to be emphasized to make them as tourists’ attraction and should be promoted as tourists’ destination. Rural villages have opportunities of development if more tourists visit. Promoting village tourism means promoting and protecting local customs and tradition to protect cultural identity and providing support to local people to improve their economy.

Read More

Rural Development Issue

This landslide has separated villages from the modern part of rural district. Landslide has been biggest obstacles for people as they must cross this almost every day. There is a small hospital and they have got an ambulance from ADRA (An Australian Aid Agency) but that has been of no use since road to the hospital has been destroyed by landslide. Apart from that, rural people have to carry everything themselves. Price of market products has been increased whereas people have been facing other challenges too. Children have to walk hours through the landslide to reach school.
There is a famous development model successfully adopted by India, US and some other counties to develop their rural part called PUARA (Providing Urban Amenities in Rural Areas) seems to be very effective to develop such remote places of Nepal. PUARA is decentralising urban facilities and infrastructures to rural areas for the overall development of the country. There should be good road in remote villages and other infrastructures of development e.g. school, modes of communication, hospitals, factories. This is not to make them city but to make them modern villages with urban facilities. This will not only stop mass migration to the cities, but provides education, health, employment and other opportunities to the villagers in village. It is very expensive and challenging for us to fully adopt this model but we can simply focus on most important part which could be effective to address several contemporary issues of the related areas. Currently population of Rasuwa is about 50000, whereas more are 3 million people live in Kathmandu. Rasuwa is more than two times bigger than Kathmandu.
We hear so many things in recent days about BUILDING NEW NEPAL, so this idea could be important and useful for our planners and policy makers to further develop their master plan. Despite landslides, floods, and other natural disasters, we can develop our villages. But it is not easy and a single effort alone is nothing for this when our leaders and intellectuals have not stopped fighting each other, so this idea is a just a theory at the moment. I wish there was a good teamwork and mutual cooperation among all people to develop our nation otherwise country will lose another thousand highly skilled and demanded people as they will leave the nation as always seeking security, employment and survival.

Native culture as a tourism product

Native culture as a tourism product
Originally uploaded by Kishan Devkota.

ECWZ with the help of NHCC is trying to promote village tourism. ECWZ want to convert traditional culture and costumes with the adventerous hillsite station, as the tourism product.

Download Brochure

Traditional Costume!!

Costume of Jhyanglanga
Originally uploaded by Kishan Devkota.

This is the costume of traditional Nepal. Cholo and Phariya with white Patuka identifies Nepalese lady. New generation are being forgotten of these costumes. ECWZ is encouraging them not to forget their unique culture.
NHCC is developing the feeling of responsibility among children and youth towards their culture and community.

Water grinding mill

Water grinding mill
Originally uploaded by Kishan Devkota.

About 30000 family in Nepal have this type of water grinding mill. This mill is just for winter. The most destructive landslide destryed their land but still they are trying to survive and feed their family with the help of these types of grinding mill.
14 years human disaster and violence in the name of "people's War" has destryed so many familes and children. Both the nature and humans have been killing people. Lets hope upcoming days will be for peace and brotherhood. Live and let live.

NHCC Drama

NHCC Drama
Originally uploaded by Kishan Devkota.

NHCC organised a drama about cultural practice to get rid of diseases. They use some ritual process and equippments. Theese practices are not scientifically proven hence are not to be followed but millions of people are just following it as part of their culture. Even educated people have not forgotten these stuffs which are not good for people. Tradition like these are to be avoided, more than culture, these are superstitions.

Grandson following Grandfather

Grandson following Grandfather
Originally uploaded by Kishan Devkota.

Karsingi, one of the ECWZ sponsored Child is performing Tamang cultural and ancient dance in front og his Grandfather. Grandfather is happy because he is too old to do such dances and now Grandson is following his grandfather.
Karsingi, you are really making difference!!!

Dancing

Dancing
Originally uploaded by Kishan Devkota.

Improved, inspired, self motivated and attractive Fourth Show by NHCC

Chhatra n Bhajan

Chhatra n Bhajan
Originally uploaded by Kishan Devkota.

This is Chhatra (made up of colourful clothes and bamboo through holy way). The dance people do in this occasion is called Balan dance. Organising Chhatra is like a festival but it is not compulsory to organise every year. This year it has been organised after five year. The culture almost forgotten by young generation and about to disappear from the country. I am proud of you my dears for what you doing. Kishan Dai will always there to support you.

Parents in Children's show

Parents in Children's show
Originally uploaded by Kishan Devkota.

A Campaign to increase awareness

A recent research done by one organisation in the ECWZ project area has shown shocking data. About 300 girls/women have been sold to brothels in many Indian cities and even to third countries to feed prostitution network. Southeast area of the district is badly affected by girls trafficking problem. After declaration of ceasefire by Maoist and Govt., that prostitution network has been more active. Poverty and lack of awareness are main cause of girls trafficking in rural villages. Girls are sold about 25000 Nepalese Currency, it means the price of a cheapest computer and a Buffalo is same as the value of the girls. In some cases even relatives and family have sent their own daughter/wife to make money. Don’t know how many of them are HIV positive and if they have HIV, it will be more disastrous because in Mongolian society, sexual freedom is seen. Some of the girls who have returned from brothels, have started like small restaurant in Kathmandu and other central cities. There is a maximum chance of their continuity of the same job. Prostitution in the name of Cabin Restaurant and Message Centre in Kathmandu is quite common. Sometime we hear that police arrest some sex workers.
In central jail, sundhara, more than 70 HIV positive found out of 150. Blood bank of Red Cross was going to organise blood donation programme and checked their blood in jail and got this data. Most of the facts have been hidden and Govt. and concerned organisations are also not unfolding this issue. In Nepal 1000000000 NC was brought to fight against HIV AIDS but still there is no difference. Expansion of HIV in this ration will make the country like Africa one day.
Law to stop prostitution and girls trafficking is very strict but still lots of girls are being sold. Agents pretend to arrange their (Girls) foreign employment from Delhi so girls and their family think its ok to fly from Delhi and their target is Gulf countries. But girls do not fly from Delhi. Anyone can guess those girls, who have not language and any other skills other than working in field and their own language, and go to those countries where their skill and qualification does not work. Recently parliament has passed another Foreign Employment Act to encourage females to go to foreign countries and work. This will increase HIV positives and prostitution. They make money and could be beneficial for country in terms of tax but can bring serious problem in future.
In Rasuwa NHCC, a children club formed with the guidance and support of ECWZ has started social awareness campaign to fight against this trend. Girls and their family should understand potential disaster which will destroy their family and eventually their society. Road drama and other social awareness activities will be organised to address these contemporary issues. ECWZ is always concentrating in the welfare of the children and people in remote Nepal. One campaign has been started as SOCIAL AWARENESS THROUGH EDUCATION.

New Horizon Children’s Club; following ECWZ

Established with 15 children from Jhyanglanga village, now New Horizon Children’s Club (NHCC) has more than 100 members from more than six villages. NHCC was established with the joint effort of ECWZ and children from some of the remote villages of Rasuwa. To ensure child welfare and social awareness, NHCC has been highly committed and motivated to follow ECWZ’s footsteps. They frequently organise cultural shows, informational dramas and other activities for their friends. NHCC is now working to protect native culture of Rasuwa which is about to disappear and is trying to promote village tourism. NHCC is organising a drama to address girls trafficking problem.

Rock The Deli, an adventerous rock to be climbed

Rock The Deli
Originally uploaded by Kishan Devkota.