31 oct 9 nov 2012 - practical action circle/nepal-2012.pdf · in kathmandu, chitwan, pokhara, ......

Registered Charity No. 247257 of 40 www.practicalaction.org.uk

Chair’s Circle and Supporter’s Visit to Nepal

Trip Log

(l-r, Kate Mulkern, Helen Watson, Terry Downie, Clive Quick, Warwick Franklin, Sam Crowe, David Watson, Judy Mallaber)

31 Oct – 9 Nov 2012


Trip Background

In 2012 some Practical Action supporters, principally members of the networking group ‘The Chair’s

Circle’, self-funded a trip to the charity’s projects in Nepal. The Chair’s Circle was founded in 2011,

as a membership group for Practical Action’s major financial supporters and as of February 2013, has

28 individual or family members.

In the course of a week they met dozens of people who had taken part in, or benefitted from, our work

in Kathmandu, Chitwan, Pokhara, and many places en route.

Eight supporters signed up for the Nepal trip. They conducted interviews with project participants by

working through translators, and took photographs for Practical Action’s image library. They also gave

us their impressions at the end of each day, in the form of a diary sheet.

This is the log of their trip. If you are interested in finding out more, please contact Kate Mulkern at

Practical Action, The Schumacher Centre, Bourton on Dunsmore, Rugby, Warwickshire CV23 9QZ or

email [email protected].

People

Clive Quick, supporter since 1991, lives in Cambridge, teaches surgery at Downing College.

Sam Crowe, Clive’s 16 year-old grandson.

David and Helen Watson, supporters since 1990, live near Reading. David is a computer circuit

engineer/designer, and Helen has a background running courses in and for the voluntary sector.

Terry Downie, supporter since 1991, lives in Bristol, teaching and education sector background.

Judy Mallaber, supporter since 1996, lives in Alfreton, formerly MP for Amber Valley, Derbyshire.

George and Margaret Taylor, supporters since 1988, joined for a few days while trekking in Nepal.

Warwick Franklin, Fundraising Manager for Practical Action UK and trip organiser.

Kate Mulkern, Fundraising Executive for Practical Action.

Michelle Slaney, International Climate Change Specialist for Practical Action Consulting, Nepal.

Joined for a few days to visit projects in Chitwan and Pokhara.

mailto:[email protected]


Practical Action in Nepal

All Practical Action offices, including Nepal, are working towards 4 universal goals;

Sustainable access to modern energy service for all by 2030

A transition to sustainable systems of agriculture and natural resource management that

provide food security and livelihoods for the rural poor

Improved access to drinking water, sanitation and waste services for urban dwellers

Reduced risk of disasters for marginalised groups and communities

Practical Action started its work in Nepal in 1979. For almost two decades it was mainly involved in

the micro-hydro sector but after opening a Nepal Office in 1998, Practical Action diversified to

other forms of renewable energy and also expanded into agro-processing, rural transport and disaster

management.

Nepal is ranked 157th out of 187 countries in the Human Development Index. Poverty is especially

prevalent, intense and severe in rural areas where poverty incidence, at 44%, is almost double that of

urban areas. Practical Action Nepal’s work is concentrated on two areas, as marked on the map of

Nepal below. The country head office is in Kathmandu and there are regional offices in Chitwan and

Nepalgunj, Banke, and field offices in Doti.

There is more information about our work in Nepal at http://practicalaction.org/practical-action-nepal-

office-1.

http://practicalaction.org/practical-action-nepal-office-1

http://practicalaction.org/practical-action-nepal-office-1


1st November 2012

Day 1

Kathmandu, Nepal

Helen Watson’s sketch of women shredding bags at a municipal tip in Kathmandu


1. The Background

Although the first day was billed as free time in Kathmandu, all the supporters chose to visit Practical

Action’s ‘Poverty Reduction in Informal Workers and Solid Waste Management’ project (PRISM, see

http://practicalaction.org/poverty-reduction-of-informal-workers-in-solid-waste-management-prism-

nepal ) in Kathmandu, established and run by project manager Srijana Devkota.

Here, Practical Action is helping thousands of men and women who make a bare living by picking

through Kathmandu’s rubbish sites. Most of our interventions are very simple – for example, we are

helping a collective of women waste-pickers to buy a plastic bag-shredding machine. This will save

them from hours of back-breaking labour, and free up time for selling, negotiating, and increasing

their family’s income. Other successes include:

Paying 80% of education costs for hundreds of waste-pickers’ children (fees, clothes, school

bags, books, and stationery);

Helping co-operatives of informal waste pickers to form (especially women’s co-operatives);

Offering training including health, safety, literacy, and enterprise which includes

compensating waste-pickers through allowances for earnings lost by attending classes;

Setting up access to health care services for waste-pickers – this also acts as a social

protection scheme and helps unregistered waste pickers to access municipal social services;

Providing financial and technical support in appropriate technology, for example piloting

small enterprises like plastic shredding, recycling, and composting, and extending small loans

to groups;

Erecting large posters on hoarding boards in Kathmandu which encourage people to respect

waste-pickers, and running a public awareness campaign on the same theme.

We met waste-pickers’ children at the National Rastriya Nimna Madhamik Vidhayala School and

visited three waste-pickers’ working areas:

a ‘dry’ site for recycling and reselling materials including scrap metal;

a ‘wet’ site to separate rubbish which is delivered by bicycle trailers;

a site where plastic bags are shredded prior to recycling.

Dari Mayan Guru at Sundhari Ghat Wet Waste Site

http://practicalaction.org/poverty-reduction-of-informal-workers-in-solid-waste-management-prism-nepal

http://practicalaction.org/poverty-reduction-of-informal-workers-in-solid-waste-management-prism-nepal


2. Personal Stories

Sharmila, Dilmaya and Dawa

At first shy but, with confidence in

numbers, increasingly boisterous, these

waste-pickers’ children are all in their

first year of school. Dawa and

Dilmaya’s mother is a bag-shredder who

gets the family up at 6 am for a

breakfast of daal. Together with their

two older brothers who are decorators,

the family cooks, eats, and sleeps in a

single rented room. They all moved to

Kathmandu last year, so their parents

could find work. Before they started

school they spent the day largely alone

in the single room. Dawa remembers

being very excited when told they were

starting school, which they attend six

days a week. He enjoys learning.

His sister Dilmaya likes every subject which is good because she wants to be a doctor when she grows

up, although she likes her Nepalese teacher best. At break time they play ‘chungi’, which is a ball

game of ‘run and catch’ – Dawa says that catching is best! At 3 pm they go home and warm the food

which has been left for them. Their parents get home at 5 pm, and make sure the children do their

homework before they go to bed at around 7 pm.

Manta, Rina and Amita

These women are all Indian waste-pickers

who moved to Kathmandu 15 years ago.

Rina is the President of their Kolcha Pakha

Mahila Samuha Group. She is 21 years old

and her two children’s school places are

assisted by Practical Action. Group

membership has doubled in three months,

largely thanks to its programmes which help

women to get their children into school and

offer training in health, hygiene, and

financial management including savings and

credit. Amita Dahal is 35 years old and has

seven children, two of whom are at the

school. She said;

“There are lots of good things about being in the group, especially literacy. Before, I used to sign

with my fingerprint. Now, I can write my name and address, and I can read what I am signing.”

The women attend classes at the school between 1 and 2 pm, 6 days a week, which fits their waste-

picking hours. Once they are confident at reading and writing, the group will run savings classes to

help them manage their family finances.

From r to l: Sharmila, Dilmaya (both aged 8), Dawa (aged 9)

From l to r: Manta, Rina and Amita Dahal


The Hamro Mahila Samuha Group

There are 37 women in the Hamro

Mahila Samuha Group, and 34 of

them have signed up for a 7-day ‘Start

and Improve Your Own Business’

course. Two trainers (one male and

one female) will deliver classes in

business planning, recycling

enterprise, and financial management,

and all the participants are waste-

pickers who were selected by

expressing interest on a questionnaire.

Some of the women are even

interested in becoming scrap dealers

which is currently a very male

profession.

Once the training is complete, the women will mentor each other so as to provide sustained support

and encouragement. The group also provides training in financial savings, social protection, access

to healthcare, child education, and women’s protection. They have saved 20,000 Nepalese Rupees

as a credit facility which will be especially useful for those wanting to start their own business.

Manna Limbu

Manna Limbu is 24 years old, and a devoted mother to her children – a son of 8, and a daughter

of 3. Her husband is also a waste-picker, and she joined the Nawaqsmiriti Sundarighat Group 22

days ago. The group has 26 members, both men and women, and through PRISM they are able

to enrol their children in the local school at an 80% subsidised rate.

Manna says that even without this scheme she would try to get an education for her children

because she loves them so much, but Practical Action has made it easier, which feels good. Her

son is now in school, and she is better paid than her last job which was for a nearby scrap dealer.

As a consequence she has been able to move her family into a better (although still single) room

and is even able to save some of her wage, with the help of the group and the education and

security it provides.


3. Supporter’s Daily Logs

Helen Watson

Most memorable moment: The happy children at the primary school, all doing ‘Namaste’ – so good

the waste-pickers are able to pay for their children’s education. Also waste-pickers at the riverside,

and ducks, goats, scavenging birds.

Best person you met today: Srijana, with all her clear information and explanations and such a good

attitude.

What made you stop and think? What didn’t! Maybe the posters getting over the message that waste

picking, with proper equipment (masks, gloves, boots) is a respectable profession.

Anything else you want to say? Impressed by all the aspects of this project adding up to improve

these workers’ lives – health care, working together as a co-operative, educating their children.

David Watson

Most memorable moment: Driving into the area around the waste sites and seeing the difference from

the ‘tourist’ areas of Kathmandu we had seen the day before.

Best person you met today: I didn’t get any names – sorry – I was impressed by the quiet dignity of

women sitting in a row, hour after hour in baking sun shredding plastic bags.

What made you stop and think? When we were told a plastic bag shredding machine would hugely

boost the waste-pickers’ income by up to 25 Rupees per hour – the equivalent of 20 pence. OK,

costs here are lower, but not that much lower.

Sam Crowe

Most memorable moment: Meeting and taking photos with the school children of Kathmandu.

Best person you met today: One particular school child who was very enthusiastic about meeting new

people and learning how a camera worked.

What made you stop and think? Watching the waste-pickers allowed you to reflect on life back at

home.

Clive Quick

Most memorable moment: Seeing the wet waste-pickers at work.

Best person you met today: The boss at the dry waste site.

What made you stop and think? The whole idea of people living from the barest level of recycling.

Seeing the happy faces of the children of waste-pickers at school.

Anything else you want to say? Reading about how people live and seeing them on TV doesn’t impress

nearly as much as meeting the people and seeing them at work.


Judy Mallaber

Most memorable moment:

a) I’ve seen children in other countries scrubbing through waste to get a tiny amount of money

just to survive. It was great to see a project helping adults do this unpleasant work safely

while their children are at school getting an education.

b) Seeing two posters – the first aimed at the public saying ‘waste-pickers are those that keep

the city clean – respect them’ and the second at the school with a picture of each child. It’s

good to promote respect for those who do the dirtiest, worst jobs and also saying to each child

that you have worth and you have the right to be treated decently.

c) Seeing Warwick and Kate from Practical Action seeing the work in action, Kate on her first

ever project and seeing how the good work that they do in Rugby is actually helping people on

the ground.

Best person you met today: Srijana, who did business studies at Coventry and is now at home

working to improve the lives of the waste-pickers of Kathmandu and their children.

Terry Downie

Most memorable moment: The sea of multi-coloured plastic bags which had been torn up by the wet

waste worker women and was being raked over to dry. What do they do when it rains? Also, how

healthy and full of energy the ‘graduate’ kids looked in their wall of fame.

Best person you met today: Srijana is pretty damn good.

What made you stop and think? How often can the dry waste men who sell to the dealer get back to

villages to see families? Living conditions for those children with their books and clean, smart

gingham shirts etc – it’s not just 20% of school fees investment by their families but also supporting

them as school children.

Anything else you want to say? Of those who’ve ’graduated’ either from Lower Secondary or at 16

years old, what next for them? And if onward and upward, how does this square with the rest of their

families and their lifestyle/circumstances?

Judy and Sam meet the children at the school


2nd November 2012: Day 2

From Kathmandu to Chitwan

Young tomato growers at Devisthan market


1. The Background

We travelled the 150 Km from Kathmandu to Chitwan in a minibus which would come to feel like

home over the next week. On the way, Project Manager Rabindra Singh showed us a Gravity Goods

Ropeway and a Tuin which have enabled hundreds to increase their income, including the residents

of Devisthan, which is a village within the Bhumlichowk Village Development Committee (or VDC,

which is an administrative area within a district, in this case the district of Gorkha).

Devisthan has 98 households. Its residents, and those of nearby villages, grow crops to sell at

Fishling market which is at the bottom of a steep ravine, across a wide, deep, fast-moving river.

Historically, the villagers have had to walk to Fishling carrying their goods on their back, usually a

single basket because the path is extremely steep and it is easy to fall. The journey took 3 ½ hours

each way and so only one trip per day was possible for each villager.

In 2008, Practical Action helped them build a Gravity Goods Ropeway (GGR) to bring crops down

from Devisthan and improved a nearby Tuin (pronounced ‘twin’) to transport people across the river.

Neither system is motorised; the GGR operates entirely by gravity (tomatoes are loaded in baskets in

Devisthan, and as they descend under their own weight in a matter of minutes; empty baskets whizz

back up on the reverse journey). Further downstream, the red Tuin ‘car’ can be hauled by passengers

across the river by means of a cable passing through the car. Devisthan villagers still have to clamber

up and down the ravine to reach the Tuin, but once there, they have a safe means of crossing to the

Fishling market.

Villagers formed a co-operative which first had to build the GGR by passing a 1,400 metre roll of

cable wire hand-to-hand up a 48% gradient, from Fishling to the village of Devisthan which is high

above it. One man broke an arm but that was the only installation accident.

The co-operative set a small tariff to bring goods from the village to the market, and which can be

flexible, for example there is a lower tariff for co-operative volunteers which encourages people to

take part in the committee work.

Since the GGR and Tuin were installed, the village’s trade at the market has tripled. It’s very simple

– baskets can come down in minutes rather than hours and a skilled negotiator sells the co-

operative’s crops at the market. This means growers have much more time to spend on crop

production. Practical Action is also supporting the increased use of fertilisers and irrigation, and

introducing new commercial crops such as cauliflower, cabbage, and flowers.

Supporters riding the Tuin over the river Ropeway operator on the Gravity Goods Ropeway


2. Personal Stories

Bhola Tamang

Bhola is employed by the village co-operative to

negotiate with buyers who then sell on to hotels,

shops and other outlets in Kathmandu. He was

born locally and happened to be visiting family

while on leave from his job in India when the

GGR was installed. Inspired by the project, he

stayed to help, and was appointed as co-

ordinator. Bhola has also helped other

communities to adopt and install GGRs and

Tuins. He is 31 years old, and has a daughter,

but sadly he recently lost his baby son. He

managed to spare us a few minutes to talk when

the flow of baskets temporarily slowed to a

trickle, and said:

“The GGR has created a sea of change in Devisthan. I’ve seen three or four times growth in vegetable

production. We’ve got rid of the heavy labour and as a result health has improved – there aren’t as

many back or neck injuries, and women’s reproductive health problems are now in the past. Mothers

have more time to spend with their children, to teach them things like hand-washing, which also

helps.”

Anil BK

Anil BK (the latter a caste name in a community

where surnames are rare) is 45 years old and has 6

children, the eldest of whom is 25 and the youngest,

6. Before the GGR was built he mostly used to work

for others. He had a little land on which he grew some

vegetables, and sold the surplus. Now his production

levels have dramatically increased. His main crop is

still tomatoes, but he is diversifying into cauliflower.

Anil is a member of the Devisthan co-operative. When

the GGR was built in 2008, each member deposited 50 Rupees per month to establish the co-

operative. With the success of his garden, Anil has been able to increase this to 3,000 Rupees per

month on which he gets 16% interest. Members can apply for loans at 20% interest when they want

to improve their livelihoods, for example by buying more land.

The money has made a huge difference to Anil’s life. Before, he could not afford to send his children

to school but now his youngest children both attend school. He can afford medicine for his stomach

ulcer and is putting on weight as a result. He said:

“The ropeway has saved a lot of labour and we can now get our crops to market very quickly. For me,

it’s been very beneficial and I’ve been able to build my family a house with the proceeds.”


Supporters’ Group Daily Logs

Michelle Slaney

Most memorable moment: Seeing the efficiency of the GGR and understanding what a huge impact it

can make in so many people’s lives and for their livelihood opportunities – awesome!

Best person you met today: Rabindra (Practical action project manager for Tuins) – so passionate

about his work, so technically knowledgeable, and such a beautiful human quality that he can relate

as well to villagers as to the Trustees and supporters. He is simply the kind of person who commands

your attention and respect.

What made you stop and think? How such a small amount of money/investment can reap such huge

economic benefit/welfare and livelihood opportunities. And how communities are so adaptable when

they have been introduced to an idea/technology, or way of working, e.g. forming a collective.

Anything else you want to say? Excellent group of people to hang out with, very interested and

inquisitive.

David Watson

Most memorable moment: Seeing the gravity rope for the first time – I knew all the principles

beforehand but the operation still seems like magic.

Best person you met today: Didn’t get to talk to him but the guy who operate the ropeway (especially

the brake) with so much casual skill.

What made you stop and think? How the economics of the ropeway work – and how the benefits get

passed on to more than a select few people.

Anything else you want to say? Surely there’s a better way to work the Tuin than pulling on the rope

with your bare hands. Can’t it wrap around a sheave and be worked by hand cranks or pedals? Could

go faster with less effort.

Kate Mulkern

Most memorable moment: Being hit by how simple & effective the GGR technology is – life-changing

for the people that use it, but so straight-forward in terms of moving parts.

Best person you met today: Rabindra and Michelle – felt hugely proud to have such expert and

enthusiastic colleagues.

What made you stop and think? What is going to happen next for the co-op that runs the Gravity

Goods Ropeway? More members, more services, more interactions? There is so much potential!


Clive Quick

Most memorable moment: Discussing the impact of the GGR with Anil.

Best person you met today: Rabindra from Practical Action – cheerful, efficient, and a fine model for

others working in Nepal.

What made you stop and think? A far better understanding of the impact of GGRs and Tuins.

Anything else you want to say? A beautiful drive out of Kathmandu but our own direct observations

of poverty made a great impact on me.

Helen Watson

Most memorable moment: Riding in the Tuin, which felt so much safer and more comfortable than

expected. A rather beautiful red sedan chair on cables!

Best person you met today: Our driver, for negotiating the difficult rough roads and the rest of the

traffic, from large trucks to heavily laden bicycles, buses, etc, etc, overtaking on blind corners,

tooting as they went.

What made you stop and think? The achievement of building that long ropeway, seeing how it was

used, and hearing what a difference it made to the community, as became clear when the tomato-

farmer Anil was being interviewed.

Anything else you want to say? I loved seeing the people in the tomato shed, the colourful clothes

and beautiful faces.

Terry Downie

Most memorable moment: The Hikling Tuin serving the Chepang villagers who, 2 generations ago

were nomadic hunter-gatherers who then shifted to farming but were severely exploited and deprived

but now have a management committee, access to the main road and all that this means, e.g. we saw

secondary age girls returning from school. Also, I think the ropeway [GGR] near the Tuin was used by

Hikling village to bring down tomatoes (by 10 am to get the best price from buyers).

Best person you met today: I liked the Devisthan woman at the tomato ‘station’ at Fishling who

waved her hand and turned her back, meaning that’s enough damn fool questions.

What made you stop and think? Mind boggled by how cables of ‘ropeway’ were laid on that terrain

hand-to-hand, we were told.


Judy Mallaber

Most memorable moment:

1. Will our resident surgeon and Practical Action supporter Clive help sort out Anil’s ulcer

after an ad-hoc consultation?

Ropeway committee member Anil told us how he benefitted with a massive increase in

income since his produce can now be transported easily down a route which used to take

hours. He built a new house for his family but has suffered for 25 years with an ulcer.

Clive identified his medical costs are not just about the cost of the drugs but also

expensive visits to the hospital. The Practical Action project has helped his family and

now Clive is on the trail to see if he is getting the right treatment. Clive is also trying to

arrange a visit to the local hospital, to see how healthcare works in Nepal and see if a

project he is running for the College of Surgeons might help.

2. Trouble with Cameras

16 year-old Sam really clicked with the wastepickers’ children at the school yesterday and

got great pictures – only to lose them when he pressed the wrong buttons – can our

camera experts get them back?

Feeling like a stalker trying to get a good snap of super-organised Bhola (who does all the

deals to sell the farmers’ produce and get it moved) – other Practical Action supporters

keep getting in the way of my perfect photo.

Best person you met today: Anil – dignified, involved, with a better life for him and his family

through the Practical Action project – but still suffering from ill health.

What made you stop and think?

1. The ropeway and Tuin projects build on what local people already try to do to get around –

sometimes very dangerously e.g. with just a wire or dugout canoe. Practical Action worker

Rabindra has engineering skills helping him develop safe forms of transport and ways of

moving local produce. But firstly the projects have to also incorporate knock-on issues –

extending the range of produce and providing irrigation to do it. Secondly when the

funding for a project ends, it’s essential that the lessons, skills and techniques are passed

on to other areas – and other countries.

2. We were accompanied by new staff member Michelle from Newfoundland, Canada –

based in Nepal to develop projects with Practical Action Consulting on climate change –

particularly interested in adaptation to climate change. She gave us a fascinating inside

account from when she worked for the Danish government hosting the unsuccessful

climate change post Kyoto conference. This is a new post for Practical Action with a very

expert worker – watch this space for her future work! And I got Warwick to take pix of her

wonderful sandals she bought in Kathmandu!


3rd November 2012: Day 3

Around Chitwan

Helen Watson’s sketch of Singapore Danda


1. The Background

We spent our third day with Practical Action’s Prakash Poudel who showed us projects in Chitwan.

First, we visited Kamadhenu Milk Co-op Improved Cattle Resource Centre where local farmers are

helped to increase the productivity of their milking cows through breeding programmes and advice

about fodder. This is one of 5 'Market Access for Smallholder Farmers’ resource centres which are

jointly supported by UKAID, Practical Action, and local partners. Local farmers showed us healthy,

well-fed cows and calves with glossy coats, shining eyes and cold, wet, inquisitive noses. One farmer

was using a machine to chop maize stalks and rice straw for fodder.

Then we visited a milk producers group affiliated to a dairy cooperative in the village of

Birendranagar. Here, 31 families are growing Napier grass as cattle fodder. Grazing land is scarce in

Nepal, but the co-operative has leased 2 ½ hectares of woodland from a local school and is growing

the grass under the trees. It is cut 4 times a year and grows 5 to 6 feet between cuts. It is then

chopped up for cattle fodder. The co-op’s members have noticed improved animal health and

fertility, as well as an increased milk yield. Practical Action’s role was one of training and support

and also the provision of grass seed. Group members are now saving some of their earnings every

month and also selling surplus grass and seed, and are planning to lease more land to grow Napier

grass. We talked to the committee and their children, including Pratibha Acharya who is 17, goes to

the school that leases land to the co-operative, and intends studying farm management at college.

Next, we visited Singapore Danda, a village in Chainpur VDC whose residents are traditionally very

poor, and belong to the ‘Dalit’ caste. They are taking part in a dairy management project. 215 have

formed a co-operative and Practical Action helps them buy cows and maximise milk production. This

is a phased scheme – first, the villager must build an improved cow shed, then he or she must find

access to improved fodder, and then they are given a loan for a cow. Villagers selected the first 11

members to take out loans based on their need, and their repayments provided the seed money for

others to take out loans. The cows’ milk provides butter, cheese and yoghurt both for domestic

consumption and for sale.

Finally, we visited Jhuwani Community Library in the district of Bachhauli

(https://www.facebook.com/ JhuwaniCommunityLibraryAndResourceCenter) which, alongside a wide

range of community activities, runs regular ‘Practical Answers’ sessions. These are held in a large

room above the resource centre and local experts are on hand to answer questions on topics such as

how to increase milk yield in cattle. They use Practical Action’s fact sheets to help them

(http://practicalaction.org/practicalanswers/). If they come across any that can’t be answered, they

can also email Practical Action for further advice.

Helen Watson sketching at Singapore Danda

https://www.facebook.com/%20JhuwaniCommunityLibraryAndResourceCenter

http://practicalaction.org/practicalanswers/


2. Personal Stories

Isha Sahukhala

At 75 years of age, Isha is one of the most respected and experienced members of the Kamadhenu

Dairy Co-operative.

She has 3 cows, and lives with one of

her sons (she has two sons, one

daughter, and six grand-children).

For Isha, the biggest advantage of the

co-operative was that her emigrant

son was able to return from working

overseas and join her in cattle

farming.

She told us that all her cows are

pregnant, and so while their milk

yield is down, she expects to recoup

the loss in no time. Her eventual

plan is to retire to a temple and leave

her cows to support her family.

Rakshya Basnet

Rakshya, 51 years old, is a member of the

cooperative set up under the dairy project

and belongs to the Milk Producers Group

in Birendranagar which now cultivates

improved (Napier) grass for fodder on land

leased from a school. She and her

husband have 8 children, 6 daughters and

2 sons. When asked about her

responsibilities, she proudly said they

were to cook food, take care of the

children, support her husband, and to look

after the animals by collecting fodder and

milking the cows.

She was very clear that the project had

significantly changed her life and that of

her family. Before, she had no knowledge of how to keep animals in good condition and, as a result,

there were problems of infertility due to undernourishment and milk yields were very low (3-4 litres

per day per animal). Now, following training on grass cultivation and animal husbandry from project

workers, yields have gone up to at least 6 litres per animal and the family income from selling milk

has therefore nearly doubled. This has made a real impact on her life. She has been able to send

one of her sons to India to study engineering (although she misses him greatly) and, perhaps most

importantly, she no longer has to survive by borrowing money from her neighbours. Rakshya and her

family are now free of debt and independent for the first time in their lives.


Roshni BK

Roshni is 35 and she lives with her husband in Singapore

Danda. Her two children have grown up and left home. Her

husband works as a labourer in the local villages but his daily

wage is not very good.

The co-operative nominated Roshni as one of the first 11

members to get a cow which has now calved and gives up to

10 litres of milk per day. She keeps one litre for her own use,

and travels 10 Km by bike to sell the rest. This keeps her

household financially viable. She said of the project’s

support:

“Practical Action trained me in livestock management, and

paid for half of my cow-shed.”

3. Supporters’ Group Daily Logs

Helen Watson

Most memorable moment: Two really super bits for me personally today: 1. Interviewing Rakshya

Basnet about her life and family, and 2. Sketching at Singapore Danda with a huge crowd of little

children watching.

Best person you met today: Rakshya – she was so gracious and willing, after a little initial hesitancy,

and it was great to find that life for her family had most certainly improved because of the Practical

Action dairy project.

What made you stop and think? So much! Again, being impressed by the calibre of Practical

Action’s staff. Today it was Prakash, the vet. So clear what value there is in providing such

professional expertise where it is needed. Good to see the mutual respect of all who are involved.

Anything else you want to say? Thank you, Practical Action! I had to remind myself not to

romanticise the life of the villagers. On such a lovely sunny day like this, with such welcomes

everywhere, it looked good.

Kate Mulkern

Most memorable moment: Talking to Roshni BK about her cow and its calf – realising the financial

security it had given her family.

Best person you met today: Little girl at the library who had fantastic English – very humbling!

What made you stop and think? How important cattle fodder is in Nepal – I really hadn’t thought

about this, living in the English countryside, surrounded by arable land.


David Watson

Most memorable moment: Watching Helen and Rakshya totally engaged with each other while

Practical Action supporters, local villagers and children milled around them.

Best person you met today: Pratibha Acharya, a 17 year old Nepali girl currently in school and

planning to go on to college and study farm management.

Anything else you want to say? Last visit to Jhuwani library would have worked better if we had met

people who had personally benefitted from Practical Action work or projects.

Clive Quick

Most memorable moment: Seeing the confidence gained by the Dalit community – the difference

between the older generation and the young was striking.

Best person you met today: The 12-year old girl at the library whose English and interactive skills

were impressive. I also enjoyed speaking to Kaji, front of house at our hotel.

What made you stop and think? Talking to George and Margaret Taylor about their three visits to the

former nomads who have benefitted so visibly by Practical Action’s interventions, and especially by

the Tuin.

Anything else you want to say? The confidence and joy in the children everywhere must mean

something good is happening.

Terry Downie

Most memorable moment: At Shree Kamadhenu Milk Co-operative Improved Cattle Resource Centre

(phew!) the gentle pride and love shown in the way the men talked about their cows and touched

them, and talked about them.

Best person you met today: At the Grass Cultivation Centre, the man who explained how Napier grass

is cut and gave me a root of it. Also the man who invited me to see his new house and his cows but

then said actually his wife built the house. And the man who wanted me to see his 600 chickens.

What made you stop and think? At Singapore Danda I thought the cow-funding arrangements

surprisingly tight and fast-moving and I guess I began to grasp how much involvement there is from

members of groups – co-ops, Practical Action, UKAID, Nepali, community forest user group, etc, etc

– and banks, chambers of commerce etc. And at the library, Practical Answers’ support on technical

queries – after local experts have been asked to solve issues raised at Community meetings.

Judy Mallaber

Most memorable moment: Keshab Raj Acharya and Ram Hari Aryal heartily and joyously singing

from the Mahabarat at the Community Library. Keshab just took down a copy of the Mahabharata

from the shelves and started singing and his friend joined in – infectious joy and a great picture


Best person you met today: Prakash who works in the DFID-funded Kamadhere Practical Action

project, helping farmers with getting decent breeding stock, advice and expertise on food, help on

animal health and much more. A great find for Practical Action as he trained as a vet for 5 ½ years

at the only government vet college isn Nepal – others there went abroad to make a living, while

Prakash went to an NGO to use his skills for the community and then to Practical Action to set up

and run an inspiring project with local co-operatives to produce more food and improve the

livelihoods of some of the poorest.

What made you stop and think? Two examples of harnessing the knowledge of experts to help people

help themselves:

1. Prakash and his work as a vet with local farmers.

2. The Practical Answers interactive session at the library – Kamal Kant Singh, agricultural

technician with a local agricultural company with expertise in manure, fertilisers and plants –

was today’s expert brought in to answer interactively by computer the latest batch of questions

from the farmers.

Anything else you want to say? Children – lots of wonderful incidents today with great children

enjoying being photographed and being indulged by their families and all on the Practical Action

expedition, from 6 year old Amrit who had to be in, and pose for, every photo and clearly should be a

Hollywood star – to 11 and 12 year old Deepika, Ghanga and Pabitra (and their nan) who already

learned quite a bit of English and had lovely writing. Kids and families have benefitted from the

projects we saw – and some now have higher expectations of their future than we would have heard

some years ago. When did Nepalese children learn words like ‘handshake’ and ‘high five’? Lots of

laughter and smiles – great!

Sam and Pratibha


4th November 2012: Day 4

Around Chitwan

Helen’s sketch of Bagbazaar project village

Helen’s sketch of the floodplain at Nawalparasi


1. The Background

November 4th contained a rare window of free time, from dawn to 10.30 am. Chitwan is famed for its

jungle safaris. Half of the group – Warwick, George & Margaret, David & Helen, and Clive - opted for

a drive safari. The other half – Kate, Michelle, Sam, Judy, and Terry – opted to travel by elephant

back. Unfortunately for Team Jeep, their transport broke down and they had a tedious wait, out of

mobile signal and away from anyone who could help, before being rescued by a passer-by on a

motorbike. Meanwhile, Team Elephant saw lots of wildlife including rhinos, crocodiles, deer, and a

host of beautiful butterflies, and heard lots of birdlife in the trees.

When all had returned to the hotel, Practical Action Project Manager Dev Bhatta took us to see a

community-led sanitation project in the village of Bagbazaar known as SWASHTHA (‘Strengthening

Water, Air, Sanitation and Hygiene Treasuring Health’). During this 4 year project, Practical Action

has worked with 21 poor communities and 36 schools to deliver safe water, better sanitation,

personal hygiene, improved kitchen management, and solid waste management. In Bagbazaar, water

pumps, filters and toilets were installed for individual households, and community health workers

gave training in hygiene, hand-washing, and dealing with domestic waste. As a result, in June 2012

Bagbazaar was declared a ‘healthy community’ to act as a model to others.

In the afternoon, we drove to Nawalparasi village to see a flood-preparedness project. Nepal is one of

the most naturally risk prone areas in the world. Practical Action has been working in disaster

mitigation in Nepal since 2001, often in partnership with the European Community's DIPECHO

programme (see http://practicalaction.org/early-warning-systems-in-nepal). The rural community we

visited is in a flood zone and has formed the Kalsaa disaster management committee. With Practical

Action’s help they have constructed a refuge building well above the Kalawa flood plain, and together

with the neighbouring school’s buildings there would be enough space for all the residents if the river

rose. Three hectares of adjacent high land would provide sanctuary for displaced livestock – a vital

concern in a farming community. The floods themselves are getting worse – soil erosion means the

waters don’t subside as quickly as they used to. The village gets a day’s warning of flooding from

upstream villages, and Practical Action has constructed an observation tower so they can monitor a

flood’s impact on the surrounding countryside. The committee has prepared a detailed warning and

evacuation plan, and all the villagers know the sound of the siren.

’ The view from ‘Team Elephant’

The view from ‘Team Jeep’

http://practicalaction.org/early-warning-systems-in-nepal


2. Personal Stories

Shamita Mandal

Shamita is 39. She has two children, a boy

aged 18 and a girl aged 16. Before Practical

Action joined forces with the village co-

operative, Shamita’s water came from

Bagbazaar village’s well which was sometimes

dirty and made her sick. Her health was also

affected by her house’s open toilet which she

said smelled bad, and by her kitchen. She

had to cook over an open fire and her eyes

were always red and she had bad headaches.

When the project was launched, Shamita was

helped to build a new kitchen, latrine, and

washing area for her home. Her health has

improved and her eyes have healed. However,

Shamita says the biggest difference has been

to the atmosphere in her home:

“The level of anger has fallen, thanks to my good kitchen!”

Tihar Bahadur Chaudhary

Tihar is married with six children, the eldest is

22 and the youngest is 5.

He lives in a thatched house facing the river in

Nawalparasi, and has always lived there.

He used to have 0.5ha of cultivated land but this

was flooded and eroded, and now he only has

some 0.1ha left on which he grows maize. The

land that he lost was all for rice growing.

However, as a result of the bio-engineering under

the project, he is confident that his house at

least is safe. Also, when the river reaches a

dangerous level, the project’s Disaster

Management Committee instructs him and his

family to take shelter in the village refuge centre

while his animals (one buffalo and six goats) are

also moved to safety. As Tihar says:

”I am not scared anymore and feel safe and

secure.”



Terry Downie

Most memorable moment: Seeing the river and its huge floodplain from the top of the tower at

Nawalparasi and hearing how people now feel so reassured about surviving flood disasters because of

the warning systems and safe areas provided.

What made you stop and think? Bagbazaar, the ‘first declared healthy community’ in Nepal – now a

showcase village – but I wouldn’t think the 3 street plan was a consequence; surely it preceded the

project, though tidied up through toilet, washing platform, kitchen etc all impressive I am most

stunned by drying racks; the simplest construction of a wooden ‘table’ to dry dishes and pans near

the washing area, away from roadside dust and wandering animals.

Warwick Franklin

Most memorable moment: The visit to the SWASHTHA village and the changes to people’s lives by

water, improved kitchens, and proper loos. Helen sketching by the river!

Best person you met today: Shamita Mandal, a lady interviewed for the SWASHTHA case study and

her comment about her improved kitchen which had led to fewer arguments.

What made you stop and think? The loss of land suffered by the farmer, Tihar Bahadur Chaudhary, at

the DIPECHO site but his belief that he is no longer scared and felt safe/secure.

Helen Watson

Most memorable moment: Visiting the house in Bagbazaar, where the lady was so pleased with her

smoke-free kitchen (no more coughing, red eye, and ‘no more anger’ she said). Beautiful village,

obviously chosen as a model one for us to see, but it was good to see how good things could be with

some relatively simple improvements.

Best person you met today: Hard to single anyone out. Good to see the woman from the committee

[Radhika Neubanu] speaking up so effectively and turning out to be one of those affected by the

flooding. And again – our driver Ramess was brilliant, especially in the dark with unlit bikes, carts,

pedestrians on rough, bending roads.

What made you stop and think? Having distanced myself somewhat from a lot of the discussions in

order to sketch, I’m not the best person to ask. Struck by the contrasts on the way back in the dark -

neon lights in Narayangarh and households with a single light bulb in the rural areas.

Anything else you want to say? I really appreciated what good communications and interpreters we’d

had over the last few days, though it is unfair to expect all Practical Action staff to have these skills

on top of their job skills.


Sam Crowe

Most memorable moment: Getting told I was handsome by a teenage girl ;-)

Best person you met today: The girl who told me this!

What made you stop and think? Am I really handsome

Anything else you want to say? This form is actually genuine … ha!

David Watson

Most memorable moment: The moment the Jeep engine died in the forest on the jeep safari.

Best person you met today: Man on motorbike who stopped, took out tools, and fixed the jeep.

Anything else you want to say? We should write a joint thank-you letter to the local DIPECHO

committee for their time, courtesy, and helping us to understand the project.

Clive Quick

Most memorable moment: Meeting the members of the disaster committee in Nawalparasi and

gaining some insight as to how such projects are organised locally.

Best person you met today: Our driver, who safely and rapidly negotiated the highly variable road

surfaces and edges, the routes to where we needed to go, and most of all the traffic – buses, lorries

and motorbikes, as well as people/bikes/rickshaws/elephants and obstructions in the dark.

What made you stop and think? The real effect that flooding and land erosion has on people living in

vulnerable areas.

Anything else you want to say? I was impressed by the SWASHTHA demo village but felt it was

somewhat bureaucratic and I wondered how robust this complex process can be.

Kate Mulkern

Most memorable moment: How neat Shamita Mandal’s kitchen

was – she was obviously a proud cook.

Best person you met today: Kalsaa Disaster Committee’s

Treasurer, Radhika Neubanu (pictured left) – holding her own

as the only woman on a committee of men.

What made you stop and think? How precarious livelihoods are

for subsistence farmers and how simple measures make such a

difference.

Anything else you want to say? Felt a bit guilty that me, Sam,

Judy and Michelle went on the elephant safari and saw rhinos,

crocodiles, deer and lots of birds and butterflies when those

who went on the ‘Driving Safari’ mostly saw the Jeep’s broken

engine under its raised bonnet. Sorry, guys! Rakhika Neubanu


Judy Mallaber

Most memorable moment: Tihar replying to my question on how he feels when the monsoon starts –

saying he now feels safe since the early warning system, shelters, etc whereas before he was scared –

he lost his rice-growing land by the river through soil erosion from a previous flood, and now just has

a small area of land to grow maize. But he also grabbed the opportunity to tell us that the work on

sowing the bank (with plant growth) needs to be finished.

Best person you met today: Radhika Neubanu is Treasurer of the disaster project committee. The

land her house was on was cut off by the river and her family had to move to a safer place. She was

asked to go on the committee as a vulnerable person who was active in the community.

What made you stop and think? SWASHTHA project and thoughts on democracy and community

involvement. I was unclear how decisions were made and how to ensure the voice of all local people

is heard.

Helen sketching at Nawalparasi



From Chitwan to Pokhara

Helen’s sketch of Badhare village’s milk co-operative


1. The Background

We left Chitwan and travelled the 160 Km to Pokhara, accompanied for part of the journey by Keshav

Dewadi, Practical Action’s project manager for ‘Market Access for Smallholder Farmers’ (see

http://practicalaction.org/market-access-for-smallholder-farmers-nepal for more information).

8 Km outside the town of Gorkha, we visited the Chandrajoti Milk Producers’ Co-operative in Varthok

village, who trade milk produced by local dairy farmers. The higher the fat content, the better the

price. As well as selling heat-treated milk, they also turn it into higher value dairy products including

curd, paneer, and slightly nutty khuwa which is used in cooking. We tasted a range of these products

which were all delicious, and admired a colourful book which has been produced with Practical

Action and local Chamber of Commerce support, showing how to make and use the milk products.

As with the milk farming projects we saw in Chitwan, Practical Action has created a whole package to

build a strong, sustainable local industry, including:

- Building cowsheds and training dairy farmers in a range of skills including animal health

- Finding partners to help with finance, insurance, and milk processing

- Organising access to good quality fodder

- Creating a value chain through involving other villages and services

The project received an A+ rating from DFID, and Nepal’s ‘Department of Livestock’ plans to

replicate this across the country. The Co-op’s Chairman Sitalkaji Maskey said:

“We couldn’t have done it without Practical Action!”

We then traveled to Badhare to meet the 75-strong Kalika Dairy Co-operative who collectively own

100 cows. Practical Action’s community mobiliser Jeevan Baniya helped them train 50 members in

cattle development techniques. As a consequence, milk production has increased. They sell their

milk to a large processing company in Pokhara. However, it often pays up to 3 months in arrears,

and offers only partial payment, which is causing big problems. On hearing this, Practical Action

supporters promised to try and lobby for change.

Supporters meet the committee at Badhare Village Durga Bahadur Thapa in Varthok testing fat content

http://practicalaction.org/market-access-for-smallholder-farmers-nepal


2. Personal Story

Kanchana Bhattarai

Kanchana is 45 and has 3 daughters, aged 27,

22 and 17. She was a founding member of the

Kalika Dairy Co-operative and is now proud to

be Vice Chair of the committee, running

meetings when the Chair is unable to attend.

At the project’s start she had two cows and

sold the milk to a 3-Km distant collective. She

supplemented the income from her cows by

growing maize, wheat and rice. She earned

just enough to feed her family, but didn’t have

money to educate her daughters. She also said

that buying ‘luxuries like salt’ was a real

struggle. Thanks to Practical Action, she now

has five cows, two of which are pregnant. The

other three produce 30 litres of milk a day.

She bought her cows with a loan from the bank and it has taken her from bare financial survival, to

producing a suplus which can be saved. A large milk company in Pokhara buys Kanchana’s milk and

they often pay late which causes her cashflow problems. However, now she can borrow from her

neighbours, because they know she is earning, and can repay them.

Her oldest two daughters are married, and they did not benefit from the extra household income but

because Kanchana’s situation has changed, her youngest daughter has been able to attend college,

and wants to be a veterinary nurse.


Judy Mallaber

Most memorable moment: Keshav, the Practical Action worker for today’s project. At lunchtime he

talked about the co-operative and how it was not functioning well when they embarked on the project,

Corruption was stopping the farmers getting the money they were due. The co-op was reorganised. I

had been worried that it was too easy for people to say there is a co-op or an elected village body –

and so this means people are involved and everything is great. Far from it – there’s much more to

democracy and involvement than structures. So it was great to hear Keshav talk about how they

recognised problems with the co-op structure – and put it right!

Best person you met today: Keshav – gave an excellent presentation of the Practical Action project,

how it came about, the objectives and the measured successes. It gave me a lot of confidence in the

quality of Practical Action’s work.

What made you stop and think? Ram Bahadur Pandey, Manager of the Co-op at Badhare in the

Tanakam district – Warwick thanked him and complimented him on his work. Ram replied:

‘We are very proud to welcome you here, keep on supporting us and come again in the future’.


Warwick Franklin

Most memorable moment: The welcoming ceremony at Badhare and the discovery of the delayed

payments at the milk processor.

Best person you met today: The Vice-Chairman of the Kalika Dairy Co-operative Kanchana Bhattarai,

who we interviewed, and her ability to send her daughters for further education as a result of this

project.

What made you stop and think? ow far the milk co-operative had progressed under the project and

the pride & confidence of the members in the quality of the products, especially khuwa.

Anything else you want to say? The beauty of the journey from Gorkha to Pokhara was wonderful.

Kate Mulkern

Most memorable moment: How healthy the cows were – they wouldn’t be out of place in a

Warwickshire herd. They all looked fat and content and well cared for.

Best person you met today: Durga Bahadur Thapa at Varthok, measuring the fat content of the milk –

totally unfazed by all the visitors at the milk producer’s co-operative, just quietly got on with his job.

What made you stop and think? How hard it is to sterilise milk when the electricity supply is

unreliable, and how creative the co-operative had been in finding solutions even when the grid failed,

and the generator broke down, leaving them unable to heat milk through electricity. They lit fires

under the milk churns, and kept the sterilisation process going that way.

Anything else you want to say? The khuwa was delicious – like milky peanut butter!

Clive Quick

Most memorable moment: The incredible beauty of the high country – golden fields being harvested,

colourful local people and of course, the unreal snow-covered Himalayas. Plus the wonderful taste of

fresh milk.

Best person you met today: The Vice-President lady at the farmers meeting, Kanchana Bhattarai,

who was clear and articulate and very fine-looking and smiley.

What made you stop and think? The vast difference we heard between the farmers’ earlier

subsistence way of life and now, having a little money to spare and their improved status in the

community that goes with this.

Anything else you want to say? How friendly and appreciative everyone we met was and how happy

they seemed to see the progress and change in their living style.


David Watson

Most memorable moment: Sitting in the co-operative at Varthok while Tika marks were placed on all

our foreheads and we did ‘Namaste’.

Best person you met today: Farmer at Badhare who spoke remarkably good English and answered our

questions about his life and family.

What made you stop and think? That the co-operative at Badhare was being endangered by the milk

processor who buys their product, paying 3 months late. It would be horrible if the project collapsed

because of this. The farmers can’t afford to lend money to processors for 3 months.

Helen Watson

Most memorable moment: Wonderful drive up into the mountains, with changing landscape and

style of buildings and clothing as we went along. It has been wonderful to see so much of Nepal on

this trip.

Best person you met today: The people at the first dairy project – so welcoming – flowers for

everyone, beaming smiles, and ‘Namaste’s’. Also delicious samples of their products.

What made you stop and think? The contrast between the highly successful and well-equipped dairy

(even though their generator was away being repaired, so when the electricity was off, they had to

sterilise the milk over a wood fire) and the one at Badhare which had equally hospitable welcome but

serious problems getting paid for their milk because of having to deal with a monopoly in their

district.

Terry Downie

Most memorable moment: Varthok village in Ghorka – clear detailed info and explanation of process

– then (obviously) sitting around with the co-op members, tasting khuwa, curds, and sweet, rich milk.

Best person you met today: Young man at Badhare who was all bashful at first and claimed no

English. Then instructed me in the use of lactose meter and centrifuge – how many minutes, what

levels are bad/fine/very good.

What made you stop and think? The higher you live, the less feed you can grow for improved cows,

so the more pellets you need to carry up, so the greater the cost in cash and time, so the smaller the

returns … does this riddle have an answer other than there is a height above which dairy can’t

operate because it’s unsuitable for cows?


Well-thumbed milk production and cookery book at Varthok

Sam admiring the calves at Varthok



Pokhara


1. The Background

We spent the day in Pokhara with Practical Action programme manager Dinanath Bhandari.

First we visited the offices of implementation partner Siddartha Club which, together with the

Community Support Group and Practical Action, helps people in Pokhara to prepare for natural

disasters.

They gave a powerful and professional presentation of the geological, demographic, and sociological

factors which combine to make disaster preparedness in Pokhara absolutely essential.

Critically for Nepal, the Indian tectonic plate is sliding under the Tibetan tectonic plate very quickly

compared to other plate shifts which creates seismic tensions and judders of pressure release. A

major earthquake (over 8 on the Richter scale) is expected to occur in Nepal every 50-75 years. The

last one of that magnitude was in 1934, and so a large earthquake is overdue. In addition, the river

delta geology of the Pokhara area makes it very susceptible to collapse, sinkholes, and liquefaction.

Measures are being undertaken to mitigate the worst effects of such a natural disaster. Practical

Action is working with local partners to retro-fit schools in order to make them better able to

withstand earthquakes, and training students and teachers in what to do when an earthquake hits. A

pilot has been run with 12 schools and the government, and Zurich Insurance, are considering rolling

the scheme out to a much larger number of schools. Practical Action is also training masons and

construction contractors in how to build stronger buildings, and lobbying the government to

implement proper building controls.

We then visited some of the houses which had been destroyed by Pokhara’s huge, destructive, and

totally unexpected May 2012 flood – whole families lost everything, including their lives, in a matter

of minutes.

This made a strange contrast to our afternoon, where we toured some of the area’s sites of natural

beauty including Pokhara Lakes, Davis’s Waterfall, and a natural cave system carved by underground

rivers. The same natural force which creates these attractions had, six short months ago, been a

cause of city-wide death and devastation.

Pokhara Lake Houses undermined by the 2012 flood



David Watson

Most memorable moment: First presentation when slide was shown illustrating subduction zone

running entire length of Nepal and I realised just how great the threat actually is.

Best person you met today: Did not get name, but lady leader of the community group. She seemed

calm, professional, informative, and in control. I’m sure this is not easy in her situation.

What made you stop and think? Project cost is $1m. Compare with San Fransisco Bay which has

similar threat level (though much lower vulnerability) and $ Bs is spent on disaster risk reduction.

Clive Quick

Most memorable moment: Standing by the World Peace Temple Stupa looking down on Pokhara far

below and up to the snow covered mountains above – all seemed right with the world.

Best person you met today: The entire team at the Resilient Pokhara project. A great example of

community co-operation, facilitated by Practical Action. All partners equal but complementary. A

remarkably well-researched and presented explanation – and in good English!

What made you stop and think? The realisation that Pokhara and northern Nepal is in such present

danger from the plate subduction and earthquake gap – and the impressive efforts being made to

learn from other countries and be prepared.

Anything else you want to say? V ery enjoyable ‘family outing’ to the lake.

Kate Mulkern

Most memorable moment: Walking round a semi-collapsed house on the river edge by myself, and

suddenly realising I had no idea if its foundations had been undermined – I got out sharpish.

Best person you met today: Kamala who works for the Resilient Pokhara project. We are the same

age and sat next to each other on the minibus and chatted, and she held my hand ‘local style’ as we

looked at houses destroyed when the Pokhara river flooded in 2012. I felt I’d gained a sister.

What made you stop and think? With no home insurance, when natural disasters strike in Nepal and

you lose your house, you really do lose everything.

Anything else you want to say? Have I really agreed to get up at 5 am to watch dawn rise over the

Himalayas?! That’s peer pressure for you ... I’m not an early riser, but I don’t want to be left out!

Warwick Franklin

Most memorable moment: Seeing the video of the flood damage (disaster mitigation project) and

then visiting the actual site.

Best person you met today: For the whole trip, our driver, who navigated us over 1,000 Km of

difficult roads (day and night!) and always remained calm!

What made you stop and think? Nepal being the most ‘at risk’ country regarding earthquakes and

Pokhara’s particular exposure to multi-hazards. Chair’s Circle members need to visit our project to

see our experience on the ground.


Judy Mallaber

Most memorable moment: Watching the video of the flash flood at the Seti river – with animals,

buildings etc hurtling down the waters at Pokhara. It showed how vulnerable the area is to landslips,

earthquakes etc – and the importance of the Resilient Pokhara project. It reminded me of the video I

saw in Devon in the summer of the unexpected flash flood in Boscastle many years ago – maybe we

cannot always be prepared but we should do what we can.

Best person you met today: The representative from the Siddhartha Club and the Community

Support Group – it is so difficult to maintain community organisation – the club has been going 20

years and clearly is able to find new young people to keep it going.

Anything else you want to say? Excellent presentation by Niyam Maharjan and Buddhi.

Helen Watson

Most memorable moment: Whole presentation on Nepal’s seismic zones and extreme vulnerability

and level of risk of a major disaster. Also the film of the flash flood in May 2012.

Best person you met today: Again, impressed by the quality of the team Practical Action has

assembled there. Hard to single anyone out, though Dinanath’s ability to focus and get us all moving

was useful. No doubt that is also useful to the project. Very much appreciated his taking the role of

tour guide.

What made you stop and think? The presentation on earthquake risk and flood risk, again. Very

sobering in view of the large and growing population in and around Pokhara – makes the project seem

utterly essential. Could usefully be happening on a much larger scale, so I hope the message gets

through to all the local population. I found the enormity of the problems quite overwhelming and am

sure the younger generation needs to be aware and able to act positively but it really, really needs

action from government level on a massive scale – urgently. Not within Practical Action’s scope,

perhaps, but education and advocacy both needed to lead to action.

Anything else you want to say? All power to your elbows!

Terry Downie

Most memorable moment: T he powerpoint presentation of geological maps showing vulnerability of

Pokhara and aerial photos of urban expansion and 2021 projected build-up/risk estimates. Plus

seeing the May 2012 flood video & site and hearing from one of the community group women about

the fear that debris would block the Seti Gorge and flood the city.

Best person you met today: Dinanath Bhandari for his skills of almost invisible and totally effective

organisation and direction. Plus lots more info he was able to provide in answer to subsequent

questions e.g. I asked how people felt about having sinkholes pinpointed and he explained what

landowners tend to do if there is any sign of collapse on their land (fill in hole and sell land quick

smart).

What made you stop and think? Most interested to hear that Freire methods are used – would like to

know whether this permeates other projects too.

Anything else you want to say? Congratulations to the presenters at the Siddhartha Club. I

understand they just translated presentations into English for our visit and this was the first time

they’d done it.



Pokhara to Kathmandu

Our driver Ramess


1. The Background

We rose before dawn to travel to Sarangkot, where we watched the sunrise light up the Himalayas,

and then drove 201 Km to Kathmandu.

On our arrival, we met with Upendra Shrester and other colleagues from the Nepal Practical Action

office and the supporters fed back their impressions of their trip. In summary, it was felt to have

been extremely useful, both for the supporters who gained an in-depth knowledge of our work, and for

Practical Action, which has acquired new case studies, interviews, and photographs of project

participants.


Judy Mallaber

Most memorable moment: Obama won!

Warwick Franklin

Most memorable moment: All the group getting up at 4.30 am to see the sunrise on the mountain at

Pokhara! Also the group’s positive feedback on the visit at the meeting with Upendra and their

enthusiasm about the quality of Practical Action’s staff in Nepal.

Sam Crowe

Most memorable moment: The sunrise at a mountain in Pokhara.

Best person you met today: The guy running the Practical Action meeting in Kathmandu [Upendra].

What made you stop and think? How long until we reach the toilet

Anything else you want to say? THE BEST TRIP EVER!


3. Final Reflections

This log is an informal document which shows the impression the trip made on our supporters. It

was the first such visit we had organised, and we were pleased with the result.

We would like to thank all those who helped us plan and run the 2012 Chair’s Circle trip, especially

all the staff in the Practical Action Nepal office.

If you would like more information about any of the projects featured in this trip log, please go to our

website, www.practicalaction.org.

Practical Action

The Schumacher Centre

Bourton on Dunsmore

Rugby

Warwickshire CV23 9QZ

UK

+44 (0) 1926 634 499

http://www.practicalaction.org/

31 oct 9 nov 2012 - practical action circle/nepal-2012.pdf · in kathmandu, chitwan, pokhara, ......

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