Literacy and Livelihoods for 445 Women in Nepal

Overview

The Language Development Centre Nepal (LDC-Nepal) and Help Society Nepal (HS-Nepal) is supporting the Tharu communities to implement literacy and livelihood activities in partnership with women lead cooperative groups in Dang district.

The project is empowering these communities to aware of the importance of using mother tongues in basic education (formal and non-formal). The project also supports family-based income generation activities contribute to the family income. These activities are encouraging for us because a little support from the project has a great impact in the community. Outsiders are also visiting our project office and working areas to develop their organization's strategies.

In detail

Pashupati Cooperative Group

We are supporting women led cooperative group - Pashupati Cooperative Group to enhance their capacity through regular meetings, trainings, exposure visits and one-to-one coach to group members to motivate and develop their capacity to improve socioeconomic situation. This group has 25 women members. Group members are also members of the Dipan Cooperative (Registered saving credit cooperative). This cooperative has 422 women members. Mrs. Mira Chaudhary is chairperson of the Pashupati Cooperative Group said, "We are developing our capacity and demonstrating good activities in the communities, which is encouraging local women to be involve in our group and cooperative activities. We collect and deposit NPR 100 (Approximately US$ 1.00) per month from each member and make investment through cooperative."

Community attitudes towards women’s groups is positive. This is great change and is helpful to develop an understanding of women's roles and rights with the male members in the community.

Family-based Income Generation Activities

The Pashupati Cooperative Group is collecting, depositing and investing their money through the Dipan Cooperative. Each member of this group has goats rearing activities. The project is providing technical support to select goats, provide vaccinations and identify markets for to sell the goats in coordination with the government Animal Health Service office. This year each member of the group earned NPR 40,500 (US$ 413) through selling goats. 

Looking Ahead

• LDC-Nepal is seeking long-term grants to expand our program in neighboring communities.
• Women are asking us to have functional literacy classes to improve their capacity to advance their daily life and support their child's education.

We are grateful for your support.  Thank you.