Monday, August 06, 2007
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Five Days in Hetauda
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!!!!
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Global Warming, an emerging issue
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Destination Gosainkund
Thursday, May 03, 2007
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.

Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Sponorship project 2007
Thanks to our well wishers and supporters. I hope this kind of support will remain in future days too.
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
Thanks to Ganesh-Himal Team
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Me and dad
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Happy New Year 2064!
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.
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
Fear of GANDAK
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Tourism for Overall Rural Development (TORD)
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.
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.
Monday, January 29, 2007
Native culture as a tourism product
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.
Traditional Costume!!
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
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 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
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!!!
Chhatra n Bhajan
Sunday, January 07, 2007
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.
Saturday, January 06, 2007
New Horizon Children’s Club; following ECWZ
Thursday, January 04, 2007
Rock climbing!!
Typical culture with native apartness
Youth participation to make their own society is the central idea of the club. Currently NHCC has 100 members but there are a lot of children who wish to be the member of the club.
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Thursday, November 30, 2006
NHCC to protect native culture of Rural Nepal
New Horizon Children’s Club (NHCC) organised a cultural programme few days ago as their first formal programme and step of a big campaign. Established with the aim of working to ensure cultural protection and to address other issues related to children in rural communities, NHCC organised a cultural night. Despite unavailability of the resources like musical instruments, proper cultural/traditional dresses, music systems and so on, NHCC had good night show. It performed a show between more than 100 villagers. Children have to work 6 hour a day except 6 hour at school. This is what they are doing in the rest of the day. It’s so hard because they don’t have enough time now for playing and doing other tasks that might be interesting for them. But still they look happy and highly motivated to do something for their community. They practice sometime up to midnight. The village where the NHCC formed and works is a mix community. One can experience the blend of Tamang and Brahmin culture.
Children borrowed the dresses from a school and instruments from a nearby village, they borrowed speakers from villagers and organised the programme. They had to start programme at 8 pm because they didn’t have time during they since they were supposed to work at their home and field. Parents were also busy during daytime. The night was perfect because kids and adults both had free time after dinner and all could enjoy the programme. Within two hours programme, members of NHCC performed different types of music and songs. It was first time we were dancing and organising such programme. Lets hope we will be doing this type of programmes and even more effective programme even in future.
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Goodbye Nara!!
For all people who know me and ECWZ, are not unknown about Nara as she is the Director of ECWZ. Finally I had to say goodbye to her although I didn’t want to say. I have spent a year working with Nara and she has been a part of ECWZ and my family. Puja (Laura) is here to replace Nara. I have got someone to work with me. All the scholars supported from ECWZ and people from Rasuwa will never forget who Nara was. We all will be waiting see her again. She is married now and is going to have a baby soon.
Good bye Nara!!!!!!!!!!!
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Victory Of People

Nepal is going through unique political situation. Autocratic king has got no power now and there is the key for the resolution of conflict and violence; which had been affecting the country since last 14 years. I was not convinced with Maoist because of gun and their dependency in the power of gun. I left the student union (Sister-concern of Maoist) 5 years ago because of the gun. Finally they (Maoist) have realised that nothing can be decided from the power of gun, but there is table for peace talk. Brotherhood and understanding are strongest and the best tool to win people’s faith. Once one Communist leader had given speech like this; consequently Communists divided into two parts principly. Maoists were bent towards the gun but I don’t mean to say that it was their mistake. The Gun and only Gun could create this political Equation. Maoists have done some big mistakes during their WAR which are unforgettable and will be remaining as black spot in their political history. We have lost around 14000 people during this war. It is actually PEOPLE’S WAR. People are nearby their victory. Still there are so many things to be made clear and detected. At least Nepal; THE LAND OF PEACE is not going through guns from now no matter how long the peace process takes. Maoist and seven party-alliances together are forming interim government. Maoist has got the place of second largest party. Constituent assembly is the destination and king has been another obstacle. People don’t want king but some political parties are interested to have “Ceremonial King”. I am going to vote for someone for the first time.
Finally we have overcome the stressful political environment (passed almost all the obstacles). Jaya Nepal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Friday, November 03, 2006
Chitwan
The bush you see in picture is cut down every year during winter. These types of plants are very useful for making fibre things and Tharu people use this instead of wood to make typical house.
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
FINALLY IN DARJEELING
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Temporary shelter
Sacred frozen lake
Located at 4380 meters above the sea level, Gosainkund is rich and scenic beauty and holds and importance place in religious terms too. The Hindu mythology has it that the Lord Shiva dipped in this pond to relief excruciating pain after he swallowed poison to save the world and thereafter this pond was named as “Gosainkund” due to its religious value every year on the occasion of Janai Purnima, religious fair is organised at Gosainkund where thousands of pilgrims visit to take a dip in the water.
Two fairs are organised in Gosainkund every year, one during Jestha Purnima and another in Janai Purnima. The number of pilgrims is more at Gosainkund during Janai Purnima than in Jestha. According to the mythology it is believed that if a person takes a dip in the pond on this day and pays visit to the Shiva’s temple then they will easily attain Nirvana. Gosainkund can be reached through two routes, Rasuwa, and Sindhupalchowk. Some of the essential things that visitor should take with them while going to Gosainkund are sleeping bag, sweeter or jacket, water bottle, umbrella or raincoat, stick, dry food, garlic and lemon and medicines as required. The most important things are that visitors should take precautions about is altitude sickness/Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) since it is situated at a high altitude. Pilgrims are bound to suffer from various altitudes sicknesses that they are unaware about that. Visitors can also suffer from other diseases like headache, decrease in appetite, asthma, nausea, and Vomiting and vision disorder.
Gosiankund is a famous trekking destination of the Langtang region. Thousands of foreign and local visitors visit this place. It is also known as SACRED FROZEN LAKE cause during winter the water in the pond freezes due to very low temperature. Frozen lake lies within the area of Langtang National Park. One can see the peaks of Langtang mountain range from very close. One might get chance to see most endangered wild animals of the world like Red Panda on the way. There are hotels and guest houses with modest facilities as per requirement. Visitor can have lots of choices about food and accommodation and length and style of trekking. Trails are made as steps so it is just like an old heritage trail. As a tourist, it is better to go for a trek on October-November and February-April but it depends on how they wish to make their trekking and their choices except coldest days.
Sunday, September 24, 2006
ECWZ at a glance
Field of work: - Child education, social awareness, disaster relief, women empowerment, etc .
Overview:-
ECWZ was registered on September last year in the Government of Nepal as a registered charity to work in child education, disaster relief, awareness education and other issues related to children. It has been one year from the date of registration, while ECWZ has been doing its work in various fields. By the joint effort of dedicated and committed Nepalese and foreign youths, ECWZ has become one of the favourite charities in rural district of Nepal.
Achievements:-
We are proud to say that we are nominated for the Award given to the organisation working in children sector. Despite its small resources, political and geographical unsuitability, short time, we have been one of the favourite charity of rural district. We are one of those too few organisations to go and work in the remote and challenging area where we working, which were said to be affected by Maoist.
Because of its sponsorship project and disaster relief programme, people of remote villages have hope on us. We are being more friendly and supportive to them. Even Maoist has appreciated us and our project and we have received their commitment to support us. It was challenging to go to remote village and was further challenging to work in remote areas which were affected my Maoist. ECWZ has started a mega project with small resources and is getting successful. We aim to share their issues and problems by providing them support from every possible angles. We have started some projects to increase literacy, awareness and to improve their economical status. Currently we are sponsoring 75 children from remote, disadvantaged and poor families. We distributed more than 2500 kg of rice to 84 families and more than 1000 pieces of clothes to more than 300 people. Recently we distributed stationery materials to more than 800 students from different 5 schools. As awareness tool, ECWZ is making a documentary.
Current projects:-
1) Social awareness through education programme: - This is a broad sponsorship project run by ECWZ from this educational session. Initially we are sponsoring 75 children from rural villages where literacy rate is below 10% and more than 90% people are under poverty line. People from minor cast and disadvantaged group live in these villages. We have two types of assistance under this project. First one is full scholarship which includes all the educational materials which a student may need in a year (i.e. pen, ink, geometry kit, text book, exercise book, bag, dress, etc.). Partial scholarship means only little assistance for the kids of village primary school and to those who have no parents/single parents. We have 75 students above 6 grade having full scholarship and more than 800 below 6 having partial scholarship.
2) Disaster relief: - ECWZ distributed around 2520 kg of rice to 84 families of Yarsha-9, Ghormu, Rasuwa who were affected by the recent landslide and couldn’t get any sort of reasonable assistance from anywhere. 84 families got 30 kg of rice each and we are sponsoring their children above 6 and have got partial scholarships that are below 6 grade. We provided some clothes for the victims and their relatives. At least ECWZ has tried to share the complications and challenges of rural lives. For more details please visit:- www.devkota-kishan.blogspot.com
3) Documentary: - ECWZ with the help of Playback Entertainment of Australia is making a documentary called VALLEY OF THE LOST CHILDREN on street and rural life of poor Nepalese children. We are aiming to use documentary as an awareness tool which will make the rural children aware of city and street life. Children who are not satisfied with their family and are thinking of running away are mainly targeted and will be benefited from this documentary. Within upcoming few months, it will be released. For more details visit :- www.playbackentertainment.com.au
Future projects:-
1) Awareness programme: - By the diverse means of informal resources like documentary, dramas, audio visual lesions, seminars, etc. ECWZ is planning to start awareness programme in near future. Initially we will be focussing on documentary.
2) Women empowerment and income generating skill training programme: - Women has important role in a family. They should be empowered if we need to make a family strong. Income generating trainings and women empowerment programme will exercise to improve their economical status and to increase their awareness about health, education, their right, etc.
Thanks to well wishers and supporters. Whatever ECWZ doing is possible only because of your invaluable support and positive response. We will be looking forward for same even more support and your involvement in our mission.
Kishan Devkota
Founder/Coordinator, ECWZ family
Friday, September 22, 2006
One year with ECWZ
Started with few people, now ECWZ has so many well wishers and supporters. Although it’s active members are still few but it has been doing its work so well. ECWZ needs more funds and more members so it could run the projects effectively and efficiently. My philosophy is social work should not be the profession and as the source of income. Let’s keep this as the hobby. One could get job is any social organization but one should not make the social work like business.
I left so many classes at uni, I gave up so many other activities and hobbies of life just to run ECWZ. Now ECWZ has been the most important thing in my life, important than my career and study. It has been so hard for me to defend my position and to defend scholarship which I am getting now but it’s ok. I still don’t have job, still ask family to pay for my expenses but I am not sad. I have done so many things and my campaign has started. Hundreds of people in the remote area will start to go school and that will bring revolutionary change in their life. 75 kids from poorest and most remote villages are studying at the village high school now. We are paying for their education. They expect to get a small job after their study. They don’t even dream that they deserve the highest post in any other organization and they can be the leader. Their family is practicing the traditional life and those people don’t wish to get up but we must wake them up and will have to show the dream. We will have to teach them to see the dream and will have to help them to achieve that. We will have to provide them pen and books not carrying things. The trend of being laborers should be stopped now and they should be at the place where they deserve to be. I have started this campaign through ECWZ. I have got invaluable support from many people, please keep it on! We are changing the small world. Come! Let’s join the team and walk together through this complicated, complex but probably the virtuous and best destination of the human world.
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Some pictures of disaster relief programme




