Why Support a UK Charity Working in Nepal? - A Guide
We are regularly asked why the people of the UK should contribute to international aid when there are so many issues that need to be addressed in our own country, especially given the current financial situation. Our response is always that giving to causes close to home, and contributing to international aid, do not need to be mutually exclusive and one does not take away from the other. Indeed, more now than ever, we believe that it is important to view humanitarian activity as a global pursuit.
That said, there is no denying the contribution of the Gurkhas to the British Armed Forces, and many of us, having enjoyed the knowledge, skills, and kindness of its people while visiting and trekking, feel a responsibility to ensure the wellbeing of our friends in Nepal.
Landlocked, with restricted intra-country connectivity due to the harsh terrain of the Himalayan mountains, Nepal has historically been disconnected from the global market. This has been detrimental to its economic development. Since the Hippie Movement of the 1960s/70, and following the explosion of the trekking industry, Nepal has had links to the Western World. It has mainly however been reliant on tourism and international aid for much of the economic growth it has experienced. In a desire to gain its independence, Nepal now seeks to enter the World economy. Surrounded by two rivalling economic superpowers in China and India, who along with the U.S. seek to court Nepal with infrastructure projects, Nepal must now play a complex balancing act of managing India-China/U.S.-China rivalries, and maximising its economic growth, all while safeguarding the stability of the Himalayas and its people. This represents an on-going factor with a massive influence on the development of the country, and is the reason why it is more important than ever to support Nepal.
One of the benefits of Supporting causes in Nepal is that, what may seem like a small amount of money to us in the UK, can have a significant impact on lives in this beautiful country. Below, we present some of the issues faced by Nepal that represent why we believe we still need to give aid to its people, highlighting the issues tackled by the causes and organisations we support and listing some of the issues addressed by other charities (which we will explore in future blogs). We also present actions that we have identified that we believe to be possible solutions to these issues. These are actions that could be pursued by New Futures Nepal in the future to improve the lives of those in Nepal.
It is our dream that there comes a day that Nepal is not reliant on outside aid. It is therefore our aim in everything we do to equip our partners in Nepal with the knowledge, skills, and expertise to one day be completely self-sufficient.
Attitudes and Awareness of Disability and Lack of Services and Accessibility for Individuals with Disabilities.
Although improving, the approach to disability in Nepal has been inadequate. Individuals with a disability have historically been regarded as a lower tier of society (with the belief that they are being punished having been perpetuated) and generally left behind in many aspects of life due to lack of understanding of the importance of accessibility and inclusion. With a lack of resources for families and communities to provide services for their care, many disabled individuals have become institutionalised. All of these issues have meant that disabled individuals in Nepal have typically suffered from strains on their quality of life.
Partners We Work With to Tackle this Issue:
Disabled Welfare Association (DWA) Nepal and the Hope Centre
Nirmala Foundation
The newly formed Nirmala Foundation, shown here with children from the Hope Centre on an inclusive yoga and nature outing, works to promote inclusion and raise awareness of disablity to build a brighter future for disabled children.
Possible Solution(s):
We believe that the key to improving the lives of those with disabilities in Nepal is to improve accessibility and inclusion for these individuals. At the core of this is driving a change in the attitudes of their educators and employers, peers, and government bodies able to improve infrastructure, as well as directing adequate resources, in order to allow those with disabilities to live fulfilling lives. It is for this reason that we are committed to supporting organisations like the Nirmala Foundation that are promoting inclusion and accessibility through sport, adventure travel, and education.
One of the major changes that is happening in Nepal is the realisation that institutionalisation of individuals who have been orphaned or are disabled is not always the best course of action in every situation. Not only is it not always in the best interest of the individual with their quality of life not always being optimal in a large home, but the practice has not encouraged an improvement in the integration of disabled individuals into the communities of Nepal. On top of this, many homes supported by overseas donors receive good initial support, but are not optimally maintained. For these reasons every child who enters the Hope Centre is diligently assessed, and working closely with local authorities, only comes to the home when all other options are exhausted. This is also why numbers in the home are limited, and there will always be an emphasis on family and equipping each child with the tools needed to live as fulfilling life as possible.
With this in mind during our feasibility study, this is also the reasoning behind our recent Mandala House project involving the building of assisted living accommodation for a small number of young adults rather than a larger home, thus concentrating on meeting each individual’s needs, allowing them to live as fulfilling and independent life as possible while maintaining a family dynamic.
Looking to the future, we will actively be seeking projects that, where possible, allow disabled individuals to remain in, and become valued members of, their communities through the allocation of resources and support. Ultimately changing attitudes towards disability in Nepal.
Lack of Job Opportunities and Over-Reliance on the Trekking Industry
As we have discussed, Nepal’s economic growth has typically been reliant on the trekking industry and tourism. There is now a shift in the country’s desire to gain independence in its future development, particularly in diversifying its industries and creating more job opportunities.
Partners We Work With to Tackle this Issue:
The Everest Mera Foundation (EMF)/Lifelines Scheme
Possible Solution(s):
We have identified that the reliance of many rural communities in Nepal on employment in the trekking industry is not ideal. Not only does this mean that these communities are reliant on the availability of work, but there are serious consequences when issues with the industry arise (as evidenced during the Covid-19 pandemic back in 2020/2021). On top of this, the industry predominantly employs men, limiting a family’s income and leading to serious consequences should an individual be injured or even lose their life while working.
During the Covid-19 Pandemic of 2020/2021, villagers in the Mahakulung Everest region struggled to feed their families due to the collapse of the trekking industry. New Futures Nepal, working with The Everest Mera Foundation, provided food aid until trekking could recommence. This highlights the reliance of rural communities on trekking tourism.
We believe that improving the working conditions and compensation given to families in the event of an accident is important. A shift away from reliance on the trekking industry however, is vital to ensure the sustainability and development of these communities. This could be achieved by creating and developing alternative industries and alternative tourism in these rural communities, which will not only create job opportunities for women in the region (thus increasing family income), but also reduce reliance on the trekking industry and promote economic growth.
Be it developing the traditional craft industries, agricultural activities such as Himalayan Nettle fibre, or promoting cultural tourism, we are committed to maintaining our close relationships with our partners working in rural areas (such as the Everest Mera Foundation (EMF)), as well as establishing new ones.
Lack of Medical Care in Remote Rural Areas
Due to the remoteness of the Himalayas, many Nepalis have to travel many miles to Kathmandu to receive medical care. With a lack of medical centres and qualified medical staff in these regions, many individuals go without care, especially as many are unable to afford the trip to Kathmandu and the resultant medical treatment.
Partners We Work With to Tackle this Issue:
During the 2020/2021 Covid-19 pandemic, villagers and medical personel in the Mahakulung region had inadequate access to PPE, sanitry items, and antigen tests due to a lack of medical care in the area. Again, working with the Everest Mera Foundation, New Futures Nepal helped provide these resources and create a test and isolate programme to help fight against the virus.
Adversity Brought About By Natural Disaster
Due to its geographical locality, Nepal faces many natural pressures from avalanches, landslides, and flooding, to earthquakes. A result of this is a difficult way of life, with the destruction of property, injury, and loss of life leading to poverty and a decrease in quality of life. Many find themselves disabled by injury or orphaned due to losing parents to natural disasters.
Partners We Work With to Tackle this Issue:
The Everest Mera Foundation (EMF)/Lifelines Scheme
Disabled Welfare Association (DWA) Nepal and the Hope Centre
Following the 2015 earthquake, New Futures Nepal raised £36,000 towards Kathmandu Earthquake relief projects. Natural disasters remain an on-going threat to the country.
Many of the children at the Hope Centre have had their lives affected by natural disasters.
Sub-Optimal Education
Education has improved significantly in the last 20 years in Nepal. However, many remote areas still lag behind and lack a basic understanding of many issues required for them to prosper due to a lack of facilities, teachers, and resources. Socioeconomic inequality remains a problem with many in rural areas unable to afford an education. Gender inequality, linguistic diversity, and a lack of accessibility and inclusion for disabled children also remain issues across the whole education system.
Partners We Work With to Tackle this Issue:
Disabled Welfare Association (DWA) Nepal and the Hope Centre
Nirmala Foundation
Possible Solution(s):
We believe that the key to improving education in Nepal is to make sure that the opportunity and resources for a quality education are in place for all. Whether it be making sure that the accessibility is in place for disabled individuals to be able to go to school, receive the same education as their peers, and take their exams, or for children in rural areas to have a close-by school to attend, the stationary they require, and adequate clothing for the conditions. We work with all our partners to ensure that this is the case, and hope to promote this concept on a larger scale in the future.
Poverty and socioeconomic inequality mean that not all parents can afford school fees or cover the cost of resources and clothing in rural areas. New Futures Nepal funded school tracksuits at Chheskham School, situated at an altitude where warm clothing is particularly important.
It is the goal of all our partners to ensure access to education is in place for all. Here, accompanied by House Manager Tilak Shrestha, one of the Hope Centre residents prepares to take her exams.
Brain-Drain - Migration from Rural Communities to Kathmandu and Increased Emigration Abroad
Many young adults from rural areas of Nepal migrate to the city of Kathmandu in pursuit of an education and employment. Other individuals travel abroad to receive their education or for employment, or ultimately leave the country following their training or education in Kathmandu. As a result, there is a lack of skilled workers across Nepal and the future economic growth of the country is being restrained.
Partners We Work With to Tackle this Issue:
The Everest Mera Foundation (EMF)/Lifelines Scheme
Possible Solution(s):
We believe that the key to improving quality of life and promoting economic growth in Nepal will be to improve job prospects in rural communities (as previously discussed) and creating skilled job opportunities in Kathmandu, as well as (preferably) across other parts of the country.
The migration of many young Nepalis to Kathmandu is predominantly driven by a desire to acquire a good education, and in particular, an English-delivered education. In the trekking industry, the best-paid positions in guiding require proficiency in the English-language and an English-delivered qualification only obtainable in Kathmandu. It is for this reason that supporting English-delivered education in rural areas (such as our funding of teacher salaries in Chheskam in the Mahakulung region) is important. Indeed, providing an English-delivered trek-guiding qualification in rural areas of Nepal could give more Nepalis the opportunity to obtain a higher position in the trekking industry.
Ultimately, these changes will lead to a reduction in the number of Nepalis abandoning their rural communities, less young individuals moving abroad for employment and education, and hopefully a return of some Nepalis to their home country, thus further benefiting the country economically.
We believe one of keys to reducing the brain-drain in Nepal is to equip children and young adults with the skills needed to prosper in their future careers. This includes making sure they have access to English-delivered lessons in rural areas of the country. This is why New Futures Nepal have recently helped fund the saleries of two teachers in Mahakulung teaching an English-delivered curriculum.
Other Issues Tackled by Other Charities and Organisations
Poverty and Drug Abuse
Organ and Human-Trafficking (emerging concern)
Underage Marriage
Women’s Rights and Women’s Health