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.
