A year that was: Highlights

Every year, we start with better ways to enhance our performance and stronger objectives to help us achieve our goals. Habitat for Humanity International - Nepal also started the year 2007 with three basic strategies to be fulfilled: Shelter through Savings, Micro Finance Institutions (Save and Build), Research and Development. With these strategies in mind, the people at Habitat worked throughout the year to fulfill the desired aims.

The year ended with lots of achievements to feel proud of and look back on, lots of challenges to consider upon for another new year. Habitat for Humanity International - Nepal also went through a lot of changes. As we look ahead for another fresh year, we go through a series of events, achievements and experiences of Habitat.

Habitat highlights

• The organization completed its 2086th house at the end of December 2007
• The organization worked with Samjhauta Nepal, Samuhik Hatemalo Sewa Samuha, World Vision International, Adventist Development and Relief Agency, Canadian Architects’ Legacy Fund, Lumanti, SOS Children’s Village, Sahara Nepal, Jeevan Bikash, Nari Bikash and Juntara Social Development Centre throughout the year as partners. These organizations assist Habitat in construction and microfinance operations.
• The former affiliates of HFHI Nepal in Surkhet, Kailali and Chitwan showed keen interest to work with the organization.
• Mr. Barry Mackey from Canada led the organization for six months from July to December and proved to be a great leader and a valuable asset to the organization. We farewelled him on December 21, 2007.
• Various National and International volunteers joined Habitat to help with the organization’s internal work. Mrs. Kate Breen from Australia joined as a full time volunteer in November for six months. She has been assisting on coordinating the Global Volunteers Program.
• Habitat took the initiation to extend its work in the mid western and far western region.

Achievement highlights

• HFHI - Nepal initiated the program of bamboo housing because of its durability and low cost. HFH Canada supported HFHI-Nepal in this project. CIDA approved the Grant of Bamboo laminates Micro Enterprises for South East Nepal. Peter Russell, a volunteer from Habitat Canada led this project as the Program Manager.
• The Canadian Architect’s Legacy Fund has given a fund of US $ 15061.51 followed by an additional fund of US $ 25000.
• HFHI, Nepal received recognition for promoting Bamboo housing technology as a cost effective housing tool in Nepal and won the HFHI Clarence Jordan Award for the year.
• Habitat Nepal was also recognized for its endeavor to encourage micro financing organizations. It was the runner-up in Koinonia Award for innovation in mobilizing financial capital.

Activity highlights

• HFHI - Nepal organized two programs for volunteers to participate in our program:The first program was organized for Lincoln School in Kavre from October 8-12. The second program was for a group of three Nepali Architects in Jhapa from November 18-20.
• The year ended eventfully with the first Global Village Team visit. A group of seventeen Korean students built two houses in Mechinagar, Jhapa. The program was held from December 28 to January 7, 08 and was very successful
• 42 families were assisted with water supply in Patalekhet VDC, Kavre
• Various initiatives were taken to assist the flood victims of Makwanpur
• A training program was held in Dhangadi, Nepalgunj for ADRA .
• 72 houses are in progress through ADRA/BASE.
• Another training program was provided for Caritas International to work in Janakpur and the other five districts to help in cost effective construction methodologies.

After looking back on everything said and done, its now time to look for yet another beginning and give your best for the year 2008.

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Group of Young Nepal Architects at work in Jhapa with Habitat……

Railing Completed

Helping others lead a better life without any selfishness is a very noble task. Three architects from Nepal; Ashmita Thapa, Indira Manandhar and Pooja Gautam volunteered for HFHI in Jhapa. They worked from Nov 18-20th 2007 along with Samjhauta Nepal. They helped in building bamboo railings and weaving bamboo walls and learnt about the technology of HFHI-Nepal.
The young professional architects received great experience, knowledge and technique about bamboo housing through working with Habitat which will help them further in their work. They began their work in PrithiviNagar VDC, Jhapa. They learnt more about Habitat as an organization, its mission, working procedure and various other details. This gave them a clearer picture of how Habitat is working through community's involvement and microfinance to enable people to have decent houses to live in. They also learnt how Habitat has been motivating women to come forward participate in social activities. This gave them a clearer picture about how they were going to work with the community and motivated them more to work properly. Later, they visited the work site and talked to Habitat personnel and Samjhauta Nepal staff for all the technical details. The team then helped in building the bamboo railings. The villagers shared their ideas about how the railings should be built and they worked accordingly. They tried their best to make the most out bamboo and implement it for cost effective housing.

Making holes for Rails

Bamboo, if used properly can prove to be an excellent material for people with low income. It is strong and requires very low maintenance. Determined to help the community by keeping Habitat's mission in mind, the architects toiled a lot to weave walls and also intermingled with the local community. The villagers shared their gratitude and were impressed by the service offered by these young people. An old home partner woman shared, "you are god sent angels for me, and you made my dreams come true."

The work experience, they explained, was tremendously fruitful. They had learnt a lot through each activity. One architect shared, "We are really overwhelmed to see what Habitat is doing for the community. The women are getting a chance to participate actively and also build better habitats for themselves. “They gained more experience of construction through locally available materials. Also, they were overwhelmed to know about the developing status of women in the society. Apart from this; a poor family in Jhapa got a decent house to live in.

The Team

For Habitat too, it was a gainful experience. HFHI - Nepal is proud of young, versatile people showing interest to work for the organization. This will help the organization extend its service to wider areas. The architects left by sharing their views about cost effective construction. The team is now more motivated to work and serve the community. They have also shown additional interest to research on locally available materials through Habitat itself.

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