Nepal

Sarbodaya

Sarbodaya Jumla Nepal (www.sarbodayanepaljumla.org.np) has been implementing integral development initiatives in the areas of income enhancement, education, food security, health care (especially WASH and SRHR), human rights protection with a focus on women’s & children’s rights and capacity development of local organizations since 2006. FEMI has been collaborating with Sarbodaya Jumla since 2022 and is currently supporting ‘WE CHANGE’ project. This multiple year’s project is aiming to improve the socio-economic position of the poorest in the hard-to-reach areas of Patarasi, Jumla. Together with the local community and local government this integrated project is working on income generation, women’s empowerment and gender equality, food and income security, and reproductive healthblished so that horticultural products can be sold outside the district.

The Organic Valley

 

• The Organic Valley (formerly OMF)

Founded in 2013, TOV (theorganicvalley.com / formerly OMF) aims to become Nepal’s first large, profitable organic ginger processor, offering ginger farmers fair prices and conditions. Meanwhile, TOV, with the help of HRSV and Zero-Kap, has developed into a social enterprise with hard-working, dedicated local staff. TOV buys ginger and turmaric (turmeric) from over 700 farmers who are taught to grow these products organically. In the remote area of Surkhet, TOV not only provides income for these farmers but also provides employment (and thus income) for 100+ factory workers, 80% of whom are young women.

 

• TOV Foundation

TOV Foundation is a separately established non-profit organization focusing on in which community development activities.  With support of FEMI “Sapana Ghar” childcare center was founded in 2023 offering care and education to the youngest of female staff giving the mothers the opportunity to work in order to preserve their income and independency. Besides TOV Foundation is piloting the 3 years’ project “Towards Organic”.  The idea behind this new concept is to get schoolchildren (12-13 years) interested in organic farming through after-school agricultural clubs and vocational training.  What they learn is put into practice by maintaining vegetable gardens together with their mothers at home. Simultaneously the mothers are trained in organic farming, dietary habits and hygiene including them in the school curriculum on one hand and improving their long term situation on the longer run. With the goal of ensuring long-term income for these young people and their families by supplying ginger/ turmeric to TOV) preventing them from migrating to India or Middle East in the long run.