The last few weeks in the Chepang Communtiy have been characterised by impatient anticipation, great excitement, joy and a lot of work. After a long preparation phase, the “goat breeding” project has finally been realised. The families of the first three groups, i.e. 58 families, received their goats. Beforehand, the accommodation for the animals have been renovated or newly built and grass has also be sown to ensure that there is enough food.

The material for the extension or construction of new stables for the goats was brought close to the village. With a lot of womanpower, fences and corrugated iron roofs were carried over arduous paths to the village and then to the future goat breeders. Under expert guidance, the shelters were built, extended or remodelled in collaboration with the respective owners.

Two weeks later, the time had come: the goats arrived in the village. They were eagerly awaited. The goats are insured, are tagged and then handed over to their families.

The work of preparing the grass for sowing and the subsequent sowing is a joint effort – everyone who can helps.

I travelled to Nepal in October 2023. After volunteering in a hospital, I decided without further ado to volunteer in a children’s home for the last month. I came across Tara Namaste by chance. Lilo Veraguth, my contact person, was very straightforward and organised everything spontaneously. So I travelled to Birtamod in mid-November 2023. I will probably never forget the friendly welcome from Narayan Pokhrel at the airport and what followed….

I was warmly welcomed by the Pokhrel family and the children’s home. I felt at home from the beginning to the end. For the first few days, everyone behaved towards me as if I were a guest and I wasn’t allowed to help in the kitchen or with the cleaning. But more and more I was no longer a guest, I became a member of the family and belonged. And that’s how it still feels today to have found a family in Nepal.

I will never forget cooking together, everyday life with the children, playing, talking and laughing. From now on, I will always associate the game UNO with Tara Namaste.

The Tara Namaste children’s home is a wonderful place, it is run in an exemplary manner and offers children a home with lots of love and respect. Each child is allowed to attend a private school and develop individually. Everything is very clean and Durga’s food is fantastic. The children sleep in rooms of 2 or 3, girls and boys are separated. This means that each child has their own space and can withdraw.

I have learnt a lot about life and about myself, plus I can now cook Nepalese food, although I certainly won’t miss dal bhat. 😉

Every cent donated makes a big difference and is a good contribution in such a poor part of eastern Nepal.

I have great respect for Nayaran, his daughter Yasoda and Durga, what they do every day is simply amazing!

Many thanks to Tara Namaste Foundation for giving me this opportunity. I will always keep this in my heart. One day I will return to Nepal, to Birtamod, to Tara Namaste.

Nadine Zihlmann in February 2024

After a number of lengthy administrative procedures and the preparation of a detailed project plan and all the necessary paperwork, our community project is well on the way to being realised.

The application to the Social Welfare Council has been submitted – now we have to wait for approval. This should arrive at the end of November/beginning of December. Our goal:

The project will support 130 households in Chepang in coordination with the local rural community in order to improve the economic situation of the community by promoting livestock farming (goats and chickens), building stables for the animals and training community members in appropriate animal husbandry.

Pictures: First orientation of the population in April 2023

In concrete terms, this means:

130 selected households will be divided into 9 groups (3 groups for the first year, 4 groups for the second year and 2 groups for the third year). Of the 3 groups in 2023, 2 groups will breed goats and the remaining 1 group will look after chickens. The groups that receive goats are instructed to give one offspring (a kid) of their goats from each participating household to the next group in the following year, and from this second year goat, the kid must be passed on to the last year’s groups. The group taking care of the chickens is not obliged to do so, as only one group is selected for the chickens in the first year. This will be realised together with the local authorities, the livestock owners will be trained by the veterinary service and the municipality will keep a watchful eye on the livestock owners at the beginning. They will sign a declaration of consent.

Each family will receive a female goat (a healthy breed with high fertility) for rearing.

goat rearing. One billy goat per group will be cared for in a selected family – the vet will also carry out regular checks. Before the animals are delivered, the future animal owners will provide suitable accommodation for the animals with our support.

Timetable:

Training sessions for the future animal owners and the creation or adaptation of the animal accommodation are planned for November and December. First delivery of animals in February 2024. The project will be continuously supported and monitored by our staff in Nepal. Refresher trainings are planned. After two years and 9 months, an evaluation will take place and the results and benefits for the population will be analysed.

We look forward to Chepang looking the same!