Project: Nepal
- “Namaste!”
- “Greetings!”
Country Overview
Nepal is located in South Asia between China and India. A small country with an area of 56,827 sq miles, Nepal has great physical diversity—from the Terai Plain, at about 984 feet above sea level in the south, to the 29,029 feet high Mount Everest in the North.
Nepal is among the least developed countries in the world, with nearly one third of the population living below the poverty line. Agriculture still provides a livelihood for over 80 percent of the population and accounts for over 40 percent of the Gross National Product (GNP). Accordingly, over 85 percent of the people live in rural areas with a lack of access to many basic services.
Heifer's Work in Nepal
Heifer’s history in Nepal can be traced back to 1957, when Heifer International sent shipments of cattle, pigs, sheep and parent stock of poultry at the government’s request in order to introduce high-yielding livestock into the native animal population. In 1993, the Baruwa Goat Raising Project for a group of 25 women in the Gitanagar Village Development Committee of Chitwan District was initiated as Heifer’s first project in Nepal. Heifer International Nepal began its official operation as a country office in September 1997, by signing the first formal agreement with the Social Welfare Council. Since that time, Heifer International Nepal has supported more than 60,000 families with livestock, trainings and community mobilization.
Key Services Heifer Provides:
Sustainable agricultural production: Animal management and fodder production training; Vegetable, fruit and floriculture training
Post-harvest management and processing: Cooperative management training; Account keeping training
Market development: Developing Self-help Groups (SHGs) to sponsor small businesses and farms; developing Social Entrepreneurial Women’s (SEW) Cooperatives; Developing public/private partnerships
Technology: Improved cooking stoves
Nutrition: HIV/AIDS and reproductive health training
Meeting the Children of Heifer Nepal
Nepal
I see children everywhere at Passing on the Gift® events, door-to-door visits, hanging around their mothers and marching in rallies alongside women. These children are growing up around strong, independent women who have a voice and opinions to bring change in their community.
Because They Were There
Nepal
Our group of Heifer Nepal and Heifer International headquarters staff was climbing because “they were there,” they being the women and men in need who live at the top and will soon begin training for Heifer’s goat value-chain project.
Pierre Ferrari Visits Projects in Nepal
Nepal
Their success is an inspiration not just to me, but to groups like them all over the world who see that whatever they can imagine they can make real with their own hands.
Once a Recipient, Now a Donor
Nepal
I received two goats from Heifer International and applied the knowledge I acquired during Improved Animal Management training while raising them. After receiving the animals I have passed on two goats. My small effort has helped my family have a better life. I hope other women will be able to achieve bigger success by working harder.
Livestock Can Help End Hunger and Poverty
Nepal
...livestock are at the very core of much of how Heifer works with families...
Around the Web: 5k, Carnivals, and a Penny Jar
Nepal
A BBC Nepal radio broadcast discusses forage production by Heifer International Nepal project members.
Women’s Empowerment is Key to Turning Oppression Into Opportunity
Nepal
At Heifer International we believe there is no development strategy more beneficial to society than the one that involves women as central players, and at the same time engages men to encourage a more accepting view of women’s participation.