Nepal has a population of 30 million and is among the poorest countries in the world, ranking 157 out of 187 countries on the Human Development Index. One of the most deprived segments of the rural population are the Tharu, an indigenous group from the western lowlands. Under the Kamaiya system, tens of thousands of Tharu worked as bonded labourers (without remuneration) to repay debts owed by their ancestors. The Kamaiya system was declared illegal in 2000, which saw thousands of Tharu households receive allocations of land from the government, but little other support.

While most households now have land, the majority lack access to basic facilities such as clean water and toilets, and houses are generally small, unhygienic and not durable. As an ethnic minority the Tharu face significant discrimination and limited access to opportunities. Alongside the Tharu, there are significant numbers of working poor families living in the Western lowlands in Nepal.

Under the Ghorahi Community Development Project, Habitat for Humanity Nepal seeks to improve living conditions for 270 Tharu ex-Kamaiya households and other poor households in Ghorahi Municipality, Dang District.

They will provide housing loans to 270 ex-Kamaiya and other poor households in the project area, allowing them to build new or to upgrade existing houses. Community wells will be provided where existing water supply is inadequate, alongside sanitation loans and hygiene training. Households will participate in Appropriate Construction Technology (ACT) training, aimed at teaching basic building techniques using locally available materials to ensure quality and durability of housing, and make provision for any ongoing maintenance. Loan repayments will go into a revolving fund, making loans to even more families possible.

We work to build a uniquely powerful, support community to encourage and support each other.

Everything we do is about hope. It is about surrounding these remarkable children and their families with the message that hope is a powerful medicine and that we will come alongside them to walk through this together. It is our heart. It is our message. It is our mission.

HOPEDAY PROGRAM

One of the most powerful aspects of our work is our HopeDay Program. Each month, we schedule a variety of sporting events, theater shows, concerts, museum visits or other types of fun activities for the whole family. We strive to keep kids focused on the future, looking forward to the next fun event around the corner, rather than dwelling on what they are dealing with in the present. All of our events are focused on the whole family to prevent siblings from being unintentionally overlooked, bring families together who understand their journey, and are offered at no cost to families.

HOPECOMMUNITY PROGRAM

Support, love, and encouragement are all necessary for families who have a child with cancer or some other life-­threatening medical condition. Our community of children and their families get to know each other, encourage, and support each other. We have children who are newly diagnosed, children who are in the midst of difficult treatment, and children who are healed and now healthy.

One of the most inspiring moments is when a child who has just been diagnosed with a particular condition meets a child who has been healed from that same condition. You can almost see their hope restored as they realize that this battle is one they can win.