Education Nepal Project #7797

Literacy and Livelihoods for 445 Women in Nepal

by Language Development Centre - Nepal

Project Report | Feb 27, 2014
Project update from Limbu Communities, February 2014

By Puskker Kadel | Director, LDC-Nepal

Limbu Literacy Class, Yashok, Panchthar

Overview

Last week we visited the Limbu project to help out with making reading materials in Limbu and train local teachers to use them in the classroom. This is all part of our multilingual education project we run in partnership with the local education office and our partner Limbu organization in the east of Nepal.

We had time to visit one of the adult literacy classes and have a look at the small business run by Limbu women that are part of our sustainable livelihoods program as well as arrange a public meeting to mark the International Mother Language Day on 20 February.

In detail

Multilingual Education

Two primary schools in Yashok and Aangsarang villages

This is going well, helped that the teachers are Limbu (not always the case in many schools) and the children are all Limbu speakers. The goal is to enable the children to their education in Limbu and then switch to Nepali.

Material Development Workshop and Teacher Training

Four teachers, two literacy class facilitators, a member of staff, one local artist, 13 local indigenous knowledge holders and some of the children’s parents were trained to collect local stories and write them down so they are not forgotten. Our aim is to use them in the classrooms with the Limbu children. The local artist has already started the illustrations.

Adult literacy classes

We visited a Limbu women literacy class in Yashok run by Deshu. She explained how she began with pre-reading and writing activities that gave the participant’s basic reading and writing skills in Limbu. The remaining time for this class will be to make sure these skills stick.

Comments from some of the participants

Kamala (60) I am able to speak Limbu fluently but now I am learning to read and write it as well. This is a great fortune for me because now I am able to recognize, read and write the Limbu alphabet.

Indra Maya (55) I have fear of loosing my language. Now I am feeling happy because this program helps me and my friends us to use our language in reading and writing.

Sangita (24) I am literate in Nepali but not in Limbu. Now I am slowly learning how to read and write in Limbu. I am proud and happy to learn my own language.

Malati (50) I was illiterate in Limbu and Nepali but able to speak both of them. Now I am able to copy Limbu alphabets but cannot read it easily because of the confusion with half letters in Limbu. So we need more simple reading materials in Limbu.

Deshu, the facilitator shared that all the participants were highly motivated but heavy responsibilities at home that make it impossible for them to attend all the classes. This means the classes will has to run longer then planned to make sure they all finish well.

Sustainable Livelihoods (Khesh weaving training)

We are providing training to five women to develop skills to weave Khesh (a special kind of cloth used for shawls) Everyone realizes that it all too easy for their community to lose these skills so Harka Maya is facilitating the training. Her mother taught her how to weave Khesh and she is proud for this opportunity to pass on her skills to the younger women.

International Mother Language Day: 20 February 2014

This was an opportunity to present our programs to wider audience, Our Limbu partner organization invited government officers and members of other organization in Phidim to discus the role of local languages in the community. One strong point was the commitment to support more local primary schools to use Limbu in the classroom.

Community Feedback

Listening and reflection is always a feature of any visit. We learnt:

We need to continue to support local advocacy and networking among the stakeholders to promote and support the use of Limbu in primary schools. This includes continuing to collect and publish local stories and provide additional training to teachers to use them in their classrooms.
There is a request from Limbu speakers who are literate in Nepali for us hold classes to teach them read and write Limbu.
Expand the number of basic literacy classes.
Promote indigenous skills as a basis for income generation to provide sustainable livelihoods

Without your donations none of this would be possible. Thank you.

Limbu Material Development Workshop

Discussion: Language issue and student's interest

Livelihood: Khesh weaving training to Limbu women

Limbu Literacy Class Participants

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Dec 13, 2013
Neera's progress in Sustainable Livelihoods

By Pushker Kadel | Director, Language Development Centre Nepal

Neera in front of her New Goat Shed

We would like to share Neera’s story with you. Your contributions made it all possible.

Background

Livelihoods projects were started in seven Tharu women groups in Dang supported by the Language Development Centre and Help Society Nepal, a local Tharu NGO, to improve the socio-economic status of women in Tharu communities.

Neera’s Story

Neera is a member of Sayepatri Women Cooperative. This group of 26 women has been together for two years. Neera has two daughters and her husband works as a day paid worker in the local market when he can find work. Their income is minimal and some days he finds no paid work.

Neera has participated in a number of livelihood trainings and along with all her group members started her own business with six goats. Neera now has 22 goats, last month Neera sold four goats for $360.00. Another five goats will be ready for sale within 6-7 weeks. She is very happy with her progress and built a new goat shed to expand her goat rearing business. She said that "the project help me to change my thinking, my life style, and increased my self-confidence as well as encouraging all of us to become involved in making our own small business.”

Wider Impact

Increased unity among the women group members
Men are now more likely to involve women in making decisions in the family and community
Increasing confidence among the women in the community
Greater awareness of local resources and how to use them
Many women have developed entrepreneurship skills

Looking Ahead

Other Women Cooperatives also need support and training to start goat rearing and skills to build improved goat sheds. All women cooperatives benefit from visits to other communities to gain new ideas for family based businesses.

Thank you for your continued support to the Tharu communities in Nepal. Please continue to check our website, http://www.ldcnepal.org/ for updates on our progress, and share this link with friends and family.

Goats inside the Shed

Goat Shed under construction

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Oct 7, 2013
Increasing Greenery for Sustainable Livelihoods

By Puskar Kadel | Director, Language Development Centre-Nepal

Tharu women working in Fodder Field

We are implementing integrated project activities with the Tharu communities in Dang in coordination with local stakeholders through the women cooperative groups. The response has and been wonderful and encourages us to continue our work with these communities all made possible through your contribution.

Background

Our projects also address environmental challenges through literacy classes, training for sustainable livelihoods, raising awareness and changing attitudes through advocacy and networking. We assist local women cooperative groups to plant tree seedlings in their villages so eventually they will have enough fodder to feed their animals and keep the community looking green.

Achievements

Language Development Centre Nepal and Help Society Nepal is jointly implementing the project activities in close coordination with local stakeholders. We are empowering women led community groups to improve their socio-economic status. The following achievements are made based on project and community's records.

1. 767 members are actively involved from 71 community groups, among them we are providing direct support to 7 Women Groups with 250 members.

2. Approximately 140,000 seedlings are planted for fodder trees and one hector of land used to produce forage.

3. Local Government offices had provided 25,000 seedlings for our activities.

4. We planted more than 200 seedlings at Help Society Nepal compound to develop model green garden.

Social Impact

Women taking part in decision making process for allocation of resources
Increasing confidence among the women in the community
Tharu women are in good position to communicate with the wider community
Greater awareness and increased respect for women by men

People attitudes are changing. Local communities are more aware about their rights, responsibilities, children education and environmental issues.

Economic Impact

1370 Baby goats and piglets and 20 buck (goats) were provided to poor members/families to start family-based animal husbandry under Get-one-Give-One (gift) program.
Three cooperatives are now registered to collect deposit and grant loans to members. $4,596) has been collected and loaned to cooperative members.

Challenges

Women led group need more coaching, support and exposure to develop their capacity and influences in the community. Neighboring communities asking us to expand the project activities and existing program need to regular support with close monitoring.

Fodder and Forage Field

Goat rearing under Gift Program

HS-Nepal Office Compound

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