In Kaule / Nepal – Kaule e.V. – Organisation for socially sustainable Agro Projects

Recently we have held a successful training week for beekeeping. For six days the farmers Samjana Tamang, Kumari Thing, Damai Tamang, Jethman Tamang, Raj Kumar and the project employee of Kaule e.V., Pema Sherpa, met at the Kakani International Training Centre to gain basic knowledge about beekeeping. The trainer Arjun Pokhrel of the Nepal Beekeeping Central Cooperative Union communicated enthusiastically to the attentive farmers, who learnt about the life cycle and work division of bees, the various tasks and challenges of being a beekeeper and the entrepreneurship and marketing of bee products. Besides teaching these subject units, famers could also practise their newly-formed knowledge of the subject with hands-on experience of beekeeping – which was met with joy and curiosity.
At the end of the training, participants were provided with three bee colonies and the materials to set up (and relocate) their own bee hives and bee colonies. To provide further support to the farmers, a trainer will come again to Kaule to inspect the development of the colonies and give advice to the new beekeepers.

On Friday, 29th of April, a farmers’ meeting took place at which Kaule ev – Nepal assembled as an independent organisation for the first time. The chairman of the organisation, Ritish Kharel, moderated on the points of the agenda. During the meeting the recently elected board members were presented and a campaign was launched for the active participation of new members. Most importantly, the next important steps for Kaule ev – Nepal were discussed. In particular, members discussed when, where and how the knowledge acquired, the experience gained, and the practical guidance generated and learnt during the three year project could be passed on to a new circle of farmers. After much intense and determined debating, the farmers developed an action plan to train 15 new families every Saturday about the knowledge gained from the project. It was agreed that theoretical knowledge should be transferred through a course at the ‘demo centre’ and by practical instructions on the farmers’ fields. In this way we will create an effective and successful ‘pyramid scheme’ of teaching and learning.

Since the beginning of March, Kaule ev – Nepal has established a new executive board, which is more deeply rooted in the village of Kaule. Amongst those elected were:

– Ritish Kharel as the new chairman. He is an entrepreneur in Kathmandu
– Jas Ram Tamang as vice-chairman. He is an agroforestry farmer in Kaule
– Tilak Tamang as secretary. He is also chairman for Kaule village
– Pema Sherpa as treasurer. She is a longstanding employee of Kaule e.V. (Germany)
– Tirtha Tamang as another board member. She is another local farmer

Kaule ev – Nepal, Kaule e.V. and all project participants thank the previous chairman, Badri Rai, for his dedicated cooperation during the early foundation stage of the organisation. The significant establishment of Kaule ev – Nepal could also play a vital role in determining whether the GIZ will support the organisation financially. Support has been considered for Kaule ev – Nepal only as strong local organisation.

Our first enclosure for the goats and chickens in Kaule has now been completed. Previously we had encountered problems with the animals escaping from various loopholes and gorging from our vegetable patches. However, with the new enclosure not only will such newly seeded plants be protected from the curious and hungry goats but will also provide a space for the animals to roam free.
From our documentation of the plants that were distributed at the start and survived the three year long project, it emerged that many farmers sustained substantial losses through their own animals or those of their neighbours. Consequently, it was observed that many goats in the village had their legs tied back with rope, unfortunately preventing them from moving freely. Therefore, our enclosure combines the benefits of protecting important harvests and enhancing freedom for the animals.
In this way, we have established a multi-beneficial model that we hope will be replicated by farmers within the region.

Members of NAF and Kaule visit the ICIMOD Godawari Training Center and get inspired by the techniques that are demonstrated to them.
Godawari is also a resource for other required plants. This day is a personal gain for all participants.

Nawaraj Pandit starts his work in Kaule. He is an employee of NAF and will work for Kaule e.V. in Kaule village.
Nawaraj’s tasks are multiple and include household duties in Alina’s absence,  tuition of and looking after the volunteers, informing and mentoring the project participants, continuing the field data collection, and sending updates to Germany.

Since the cooperation with NAF has proven really successful during our training seminar, NAF and Kaule have decided to continue working together in Kaule.

NAF and Kaule e.V. will also be officially recognised as partner organisations. Hence, the project is to be registered at the Social Welfare Council under the name NAF and will this way receive its official validity. In return, an employee from NAF will be offered a permanent and paid-for position at Kaule e.V. The employee will help collect data, look after the volunteers, maintain communication with the project participants and be the single point of contact for them.  Furthermore, he will take responsibility for the club house and for the office in the absence of Alina* Schick.

The first volunteers are sent to Kaule by Hands for Help Nepal: Morgan from Switzerland, Marie from Germany and Claudia from Australia.
Whilst Morgan helps mainly with building compost facilities, the enclosure of the farming area and with planting crops, Marie and Claudia offer the project participants and their children an introduction into the English language during evening classes. Not only have they prepared and implemented classes, but they have also helped with the construction work. In fact, they have plastered the exterior wall of the house in order to keep the house dry during the rainy season.

Shristi Lama is hired as cook and will in future prepare food for all inhabitants of the club house. Her Dahl Baat is delicious. Shristi lives in the club house, which allows her to get to school much faster than from her house in Kakani. (It is her last year of sixth form).

Bianca Bauch, another member of Kaule e.V. and a biologist, spent several weeks in Kaule and provided great support to the project. Amongst the many things she did, she built furniture and also a new facility for compost.