Update from BHW Nepal Partnership Facilitator

Context

This report covers the ROHS Resource Centre (NEP02d) but also references the community development (NEP02b) and chicken farm (NEP02c). These three projects within the BHW partnership with Niranjan and Sonu Adhikary are closely linked together.  

This partnership began with a rural medical clinic in Nawal Parasi, following which they commenced a co-operative for local farmers, and then a chicken project was added. On the back of these successful projects, the Resource Centre was then established. In 2020 the Resource Centre received a boost of finances to allow those with successful businesses to grow them larger and in the process become entirely self-sufficient.  

Covid has slowed down the operation of the enterprises and loan repayments have slowed. No one has stopped repaying yet, but there are several people under stress. However, people are now moving about again although it is nowhere near what it was like before Covid came.  

Personal Stories

Three projects are currently operating as part of the Resource Centre:

1) In the areas of Nawal Parasi and Makwanpur, members of the farming cooperatives are able to apply for loans. These are small loans which revolve quickly, usually from season to season. The photos show some of the enterprises that have been established. 

2) Shankar and Samaya Tamang have started a fresh meat and fish butchery to operate alongside their commercial piggery and fish farm in Nuwakot. This is developing well, and they have been able to make their repayments, send two of their children to boarding school, and build themselves a new house. They are a beacon of hope in their community. 

3) Indralal has established a goat herd and a commercial vegetable farm in Makwanpur. They are doing well despite the issues of Covid. 

Partnership's Influence within the Community

The Resource Centre has a very positive impact on sustainable growth of communities in Nepal. There is still a huge demand for resources of this kind, and they are doing their best to help as many as they can. The great benefit of having a Resource Centre like this is that people are able to learn, then access resources and build sustainable micro projects. This leads to self-dependent communities in rural parts of the country.

Since starting the Resource Centre, about 600 families and individuals have benefitted from it and from the two cooperatives, more than 400 families of farmers have benefitted.

Programmes  

Apart from the Resource Centre, the three original programmes are still operating:

Farming Cooperative (NEP02b): The farmer's cooperative has around 300 active farmers. They have purchased and operate rice mills and other farm machinery, leasing the machinery to members and non-members. They also purchase farm supplies in bulk and accumulate their produce for sale. This operates in two districts, Nawal Parasi and Makwanpur. 

Clinic (NEP02b): The clinic continues to operate as a service, not for profit. It employs people and breaks even financially but is an important part of the Christian community's service to the wider community. 

Chicken Farm (NEP02c): The chicken farm is still operating well although its profit was affected by Covid when it was difficult to operate. However, it is now back up and running with 2,000 layers. The birds lay for 6-9 months and then they do a batch of broiler chickens before getting another batch of layers. This is a profitable business, and the profits are used to print gospel tracts and training materials, and for training evangelists, disciples and church planters.

These programmes are used as a foundation for many types of community training which provides numerous opportunities to serve the community and witness to the love of God. 

Ideas For The Future

They would love to have a huge amount of capital available to assist all the requests they receive from all over the country. Otherwise, the programme will just continue as funds are repaid. 

Current Issues and Challenges

There is still economic hardship because of Covid. People have lost employment and have less cash to spend. This affects small businesses especially. 

Prayer and Praise Points 

1) That they would be able to reach and serve many more people in need of sustainable growth.
2) That people who access the loans and other services would be willing to listen to the Good News as people share it with them.
3) That the impact of Covid would soon pass and people would again be able to flourish as before. 

Comments 

Currently BHW does not provide any ongoing financial support for these three projects, however I am in regular dialogue with Niranjan and he is easy to communicate with. There will be opportunities in the future for further investment, but these are likely to be at least another year away.