The goats are here!
February 2024: 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.
News from the Chepang community
Since our visit in October 2023, a number of things have been implemented or initiated in the community.
Education and nutrition project at Shree Praja Jyoti Primary School
In order to operate cost-effectively, a competition was organised among local food suppliers with the aim of purchasing high-quality food at the lowest possible price. The right supplier was found and, thanks to the cost savings, the budget is now sufficient to provide the children with an additional egg three Fridays a month and meat once a month.
Project to secure livelihoods
58 members of the first four “goat breeding groups” took part in the training course on commercial goat breeding in December. The participants (10 men, 48 women) were trained by a local livestock development expert on the requirements for goat farming. Topics included animal behaviour, husbandry, feeding, diseases, etc.
A committee of five people was formed from this group. This committee is available to the members of the group for questions relating to goat husbandry, insurance issues and help with the construction of the goat shed.
Before the goats are distributed to the families, the stables must first be repaired or newly built. Quotations were requested for the necessary materials. Once the necessary letter of request has been received from the district office, work can begin.
A project management and monitoring committee was also set up under the leadership of the district chairman. One member from each breeder group, representatives of the Tara Namaste Foundation and the veterinarian also form this committee. This committee will decide on the implementation of the project and will meet every four to six months. At the end of the project period defined by Tara Namaste (3 years in total), this committee will ensure the continuation of the project.
The impact of the project will be evaluated at the end of the project. Seven households from each of the four groups with goats and seven households with chickens were randomly selected for the study in the community. The current status of 28 households has already been surveyed and is now being analysed.
Good networking and liaising with the local authorities is essential. The project has therefore been presented to various representatives of the authorities. We can count on the support of all local authorities.
Various goat farms are currently being visited to find healthy animals. Once the housing for the animals has been completed (February/March), the first goats will be allowed to move in with the families.
Update from the Chepang community in Ghyalchowk – community project
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.
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.
Pictures: First orientation of the population in April 2023
Saran, a 10-year-old boy from Chepang community in Ghyalchowk, had an accident 18 months ago. He apparently had several bone bridges that were not treated properly due to lack of medical care. He is unable to walk since then, his right leg is significantly shorter because the femur has merged with the hip socket, and he cannot bend his right arm because the elbow joint has been severely damaged. Saran’s school is a 20-minute walk away and on rough terrain. As a result, he was unable to attend school. He also had an open wound on his thigh that was constantly infected and not healing.
We met Saran for the first time during our visit in October 22. It was quickly clear that he needed to be helped. Physically damaged and in addition without school education his future would look bleak.
After consultation with him and his parents, Saran was taken to a hospital in Kathmandu where his wound received proper medical attention and examinations were performed on his overall condition. The doctors diagnosed bone tuberculosis, which needs to be treated with medication. It can take up to 18 months to heal.
After a few days, Saran was released from the hospital on crutches. He now lives again with his family and is medically cared for by a nurse every two days. In the meantime, his wound is completely healed and he has become stronger thanks to additional protein-rich foods such as eggs and beans.
With the help of the crutches, he is now able to attend government school again.
Once the tuberculosis has healed, treatment for Saran’s arms and legs will once again become an issue. Unfortunately, the prognosis for the complete recovery of his musculoskeletal system is not very good – but hopefully an improvement will be possible.
