Nepal’s second largest city (Pokhara) is situated on the shore of
Pokhara Lake and in the shadows of the mighty Dhaulagiri, Annapurna and Manaslu
Himalyan Range. At this time of year (monsoon) I have to take the word of the locals
that the mountains exist because all I can see is the thick cloud banks that
seem to both protect and threaten the city.
This city has also been the hub of the Kaski Area Development Program
(ADPs). Since 2001 Australia has been supporting over 3,000 sponsor children
and their families in 5 communities: partnering with local agencies and the
people to improve the state of health for newborns and mothers, renew schools
and education systems, introduce micro-finance cooperatives and increase income
through livelihood opportunities and skill development for women and men.
As is standard practice these ADPs run for about 15 years, at which
time, after extensive consultation with the families, the children, the communities
and the local government we withdraw from the area. Each of these ADPs is
designed to be sustainable - self-managing and self-perpetuating.
In the few days I have in the area, I have the privilege to attend two
farewell celebrations: the first, today, was at a school about 30 minutes out
of Pokhara. And here under a bunting enclosed canvas lean-to, I was entertained
by young school girls singing and dancing – listened to the obligatory speeches
– and then had the opportunity to present sponsor children with awards of
recognition.
But it was here, and in a couple of other community meetings, (with the
micro-finance cooperative, the women’s group and the Early Childhood Care and
Development committee) that I heard about the impact of 15 years work by
dedicated and passionate team members. Amongst these achievements are:
- 80.4% of families have enough food
- 98.1% of babies are breast fed
- 85.3% of pregnant women attend medical checks
- 98% school attendance
- 98% proper waste disposal
- 99.2% of families have a water sealed latrine
- Government declared the district open defecation free (ODF) in 2011
Did everything work? No. Has every person involved had an improvement in
their living? No. Are there things we can do better? Yes. But tonight, as the
monsoon rains pelt down to the accompaniment of an amazing thunder and lightning
show there are 5 communities in rural, isolated Nepal that are better off and there
are at least 3,000 children that have dreams of being “engineers, doctors, teachers, bus drivers, paraglider pilots, and
soldiers” – and they just might make it now.
