The banner photo above is Mt Dhaulagiri (8,167 m.), the seventh highest mountain in the world,
seen from Khopra Ridge above Paudwar village in the Annapurna Conservation Area, Myagdi District, Nepal
and about the forthcoming trip to Nepal by seven valiant volunteers.
Donation Special - This month only
An anonymous donor has agreed to match any donation of $250 or more (up to a limit of $1,000 per donation).
By giving us your support this month, you'll not only be ensuring we deliver more this year than ever before,
but that we can go on to an even greater programme next year.
Why not take this opportunity to make your donation really count.
This will be our only fund-raising appeal this year, so why not act right now?
Click here for more details or to the You-can-help page.
Ever
thought what life might be like in Nepal?
- A small, land-locked country, wedged between two of the largest and most populous nations on Earth.
- Just north of the Tropic of Cancer, geography ranging from 70 m.
above sea level to 8 of the 10 highest mountains in the world including
Everest
- Population 28.5 m. (1.3 times Australia) in 147,000 sq.km. (2/3 of Victoria)
- GDP per capita US$ 495, among the lowest in the world (Australia: US$ 50,150 - 13th in the world)
- comprise 5 or 6 people living in a dwelling of one or two rooms
(average Australian household: 2.6 persons)
- derive its food from subsistence farming a landholding of less
than a hectare, usually made up of several small plots
- obtain its water from a communal water tap in the village
- depend on kerosene for lighting and a wood fire or kerosene stove for cooking
- share access to communal 'pit' toilet facilities
Village people have needs for better education, health services and employment opportunities. Without the latter, young people are moving to the cities (Kathmandu, Pokhara), causing over-crowding and to loss of prime agricultural land to housing. With the right opportunities they could continue to enjoy village life.
The goal of the Nepali Village Initiatives Project is to
The Nepali Village Initiatives Project grew out
of a chance meeting at Khopra Ridge in 1993 between an Australian
trekking group dubbed the "Annapurna Allstars" and Gyan Bahadur Pun,
then Headmaster of Paudwar Secondary School. Since then the project has supported Paudwar and associated villages in
the Myagdi District of Nepal, and the Nepal Wireless Project led by
Mahabir Pun. It has contributed computers, library books and
medical supplies; funded the construction of school buildings; funded
English medium teaching at Paudwar and Gibung schools (a first among
government schools in Nepal); and funded a Development Coordinator who is leading the establishment of the "Khayar Bahrahi Milk Production Co-operative" to develop a dairy farm.
The Nepali Village Initiatives project is now endorsed by the Rotary Club of Woodend in Australia and the Rotary Club of Pokhara Annapurna in Nepal, and is registered with Rotary Australia World Community Service (RAWCS), making donations tax deductible. This website outlines the project and offers you an opportunity to contribute.
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