The original plan for Hands Helping Hands was to help one man and his family (see Phase One) in the hopes that he could then help us to help others. The plan has worked. Since August 2008 when ‘the team’ provided Nabin with the loan to purchase farmland and a home, much has been accomplished.

The work started immediately and between Sept and Dec 2008, Nabin worked tirelessly amongst his fellow villagers listening to their needs to hear what the villagers felt would help them the most. Following weeks of meetings and discussions, facing a variety of challenges; villagers of varying castes, with religious differences and socioeconomic variability, the villagers narrowed their focus to two projects. The villagers agreed they were in need of improved education for their children and the farmers of Lahachwok were in need of irrigation for their crops. After serious consideration, the villagers determined that irrigation for their farmland made the most sense.

Why Irrigation?

With 80% of all Nepalese being subsistence farmers, the more robust the harvest, the more prosperous the crops, the more prosperous the farmers, the more opportunities available to the children, including improved education, nutrition and health – a chance at a better future.

Irrigation First – then the opportunities are limitless.

Project Outcomes

The goal of the project is to build a durable water canal to provide irrigation to land surrounding the 755 households, helping 4565 villagers and increasing crop yield by up to 65%.

The proposed canal; 350 m long, a meter wide and half a meter high, will be made of cement and reinforce rebar. The canal will replace the existing mug and grass ditch, which loses the majority of water before it reaches the farmland. The ditch constantly needs to be redug and reinforced with bamboo stacks to keep the mug walls from caving inwards and being washed away by mudslides during the annual monsoon season.

The villagers have spoken.

Once the villagers finalized the project, Nabin’s set out to seek buy-in and approval from the Village Development Committee (VDC). Between January and March of 2009, numerous discussions occurred with the VDC, permits were obtained, engineering plans drawn up for the proposed irrigation canal and a budget was created for the project. Partners were identified and sources of funding were allocated.

Letter with VDC Click here to see larger version		Engineering plan and budget Click here to see larger version

Besides partnering with the local Village Development committee (VDC), Hands Helping Hands is also excited with the support Nabin has received from the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) http://ww.south-asia.com/Kingmah/tonproj.htm#1.

The villagers have determined an appropriate start date for the project based on practicality within their village. In order to transport all the building materials to the starting point of the canal, up stream above the village, the materials must be carried overland. This creates challenges because during most of the year, crops cover the land. In early spring (March / April) and fall (Nov – Dec) the land is between harvests and a temporary road can be built and a vehicle used to transport materials. This will save time and money as the alternative is to have porters hand carry all building materials to the project site.

Next Steps for Hands Helping Hands

• Nabin will be working in the village to develop a User Group Committee to continue to promote the benefits of the Irrigation Project and to begin fundraising
• Hand Helping Hands:
• Build funding partnerships
• Seek Charitable status for Hands Helping Hands
• Develop a project plan including timeline and funding schedule
• Determine project installment plan – proposed 4 installments of ~$7 500
• Set goal to provide first installment of seed money – spring or fall of 2010
• Begin fundraising for seed money

We can do no great things, only small things with great love.
Mother Teresa