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.

Progress Update on Irrigation Project in Lahchowk Nepal

A group of 17 Canadian University students travelled to Lahchowk to start work on the Irrigation canal in Mary-June 2010.
There are 4 sources of water leading into the village, 1 spring and 3 runs offs from the mountains. The students started the arduous tasks of try to clear the leaking existing piping, that had filled with mud and debris from the last monsoon. After this they were able to start the masonry work on the cliff side at the starting point of the Irrigation Canal.

Progress

November 2010  - Another successful trip to Nepal

Thank you again to those of you who chipped in. Some of you donated money which went into buying shovels, picks, sand, cement and stones, paying for masons and load carriers. Yes, everything is done by hand. Thank you also for the clothing, which we divided between an orphanage in Baktapur, one in Pohkara and the village of Lahchowk. We also took 100 toothbrushes and toothpaste (donated by local Campbell River dentists Dr. Gris and Dr. Chris Dennis) that were distributed in the village to those in need. The most popular donation was of course … yes you guessed it, the soccer ball and the other school supplies that Betty and Jim received as donations from a local elementary school, Mountain Meadows in Port Moody. Students gathered boxes and boxes of pens, pencils and markers, paper, books, and sporting equipment. Thank you everyone, your donations arrived safely at their destination.

What’s next

In March of 2011, a group of 23 students and 11 chaperones from Campbell River high schools will be travelling to the village to work hand in hand with the local village high school students.
Looking forward to Oct - Nov 2011, sounds like we already have some interest. Let us know if you are interested.

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