Self-help groups change lives in Bajura

Deep-rooted traditions and cultural beliefs around caste, gender and disability can exacerbate the challenges faced by many Nepalis in the poorest, most remote regions of the country.

Self-help groups play an important role in building inclusive communities where all are respected and regarded as equals.

Thanks to INF/UK supporters, 90 self-help groups have launched in the remote, mountainous region of Bajura, successfully uniting community members and helping them to articulate and resolve many of the challenges they face on a daily basis.

In Bajura, the success story so far includes:

Imay with his geese

• Nearly 200 people with disabilities are members of a self-help group.
• Over 1,000 members have set up kitchen gardens, providing a more reliable source of nutritious food.
• Community members established eight apple orchards, planting 2,000 apple tree seedlings.
• By saving collectively and sharing funds, self-help groups have loaned over £100,000 to members to start or grow businesses (including farming, grocery shops and making clothes).

 
Imay learned to build a pond to farm geese and has been able to increase his monthly income by more than seven times to 15,000 Nepali Rupees (about £100). Now he is able to send his younger son to study medicine, and his daughter is training to become a midwife.