KaSKi DiStRiCt Manang KASKI n Area Development Myagdi

Programme Map of nepal

Parbat lamjung

Pokhara City Kalika Majhthana

lekhnath Hansapur Municipality Rupakot Syangja thumki

tanahun aRea DeVeloPMent 6 0 6 12 18 24 Kilometers PRogRaMMe (aDP) aDP is our primary approach to carry out the transformational development in the community where we work. aDP is a working areas of Kaski aDP long term development programme (10 to 15 years) in which world Vision works with the poor and its partners in specific, BENEFICIARIES IN NUMBERS defined, targeted geographical locations to wHo we aRe address micro and macro poverty issues in the sectors of Maternal Child Health world Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy early childhood care and development…5400 children and mothers and nutrition, education, livelihood, organisation dedicated to working with children, families and education…32550 children and parents water, Sanitation and Hygiene (waSH) communities to overcome poverty and injustice. and Child Protection. livelihoods…12000 children, men and women Motivated by our Christian faith, world Vision is dedicated aCKnowleDgeMent water and sanitation….9480 children, men and women to working with the world’s most vulnerable people. world world Vision believes that partnering with others is a key factor in bringing about lasting changes in communities. Vision serves all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity inSiDe world Vision partners with government, community groups, ngos and the private sector; wVin adopts a multi- sponsorship….3241 children and their families or gender. stakeholder approach to partnering, recognising that all of these different groups have an important role in How it all began 3 from 2001-2013 impacting the lives of 76,830 men, women improving livelihoods 4-5 creating change. the nature of the partnering relationship varies depending on the issues being addressed, and the and children in Kaski world Vision formally started its long-term development access to water and sanitation 6-7 resources and capacity of the different partners involved. work in nepal after signing both general and project Promoting early-childhood development and child-friendly agreement with the Social welfare Council in 2001. over education 8-9 Kaski aDP acknowledges the support of all its community partners, ngo partners, district line agencies, District the past years, world Vision international nepal has funded Keeping children and families safe and healthy 10 Development Committee and respective Village Development Committees in the successful implementation of its community development and currently we are operational Child clubs promotes participation of children 11 programme and projects in Kaski District. Our vision for every child, life in all its fullness; in 14 districts namely bhaktapur, Doti, Jumla, Kathmandu, transformation through sponsorship 12 Kaski, Kailali, lamjung, lalitpur, Morang, Rupandehi, Sunsari, impacting the lives of children 14 Kaski aDP is also thankful to all its staff and donors in australia who have contributed towards the work of world Our prayer for every heart, the will to make it so Udayapur, achham and Sindhuli. Vision to achieve our goal “to empower vulnerable children, their families, and communities in nepal to improve their quality of life with dignity and peace.”

15 2 Improving Livelihoods Women walking together for a cause Impacting the lives of children How it all began government line agencies and various like-minded Kaski District lies at the foothills of the mighty organisations, over the years the ADP has sought used to enhance crop production. Begnas Lake Women’s Group working together to keep their surroundings clean Annapurna range of the Himalayas, which dominate to address issues in the areas it works in. Issues Children enjoy good health World Vision has worked to ensure children’s health the landscape. Though Pokhara, a small lakeside city such as poor water and sanitation, low agricultural Rishi Danda was one of the first villages selected improve with access to right nutrition, and improved and haven for tourists and trekkers keen to take in production, limited access to markets for poor by World Vision in training locals to adopt farming hygiene and sanitation practices. ANC and PNC check the beauty and challenges of the high mountains, farmers, environmental degradation impacting based on permaculture principles. People were ups have significantly improved the health of pregnant forests and fisheries, migrant workers, and limited shown how to make organic compost, liquid is located in Kaski, it is generally oblivious to mothers and children. Today 85.3% of pregnant access to education were issues taken into account fertiliser, organic pesticides, micro-irrigation the underlying day-to-day challenge of poverty mothers take all four ANC check ups and 27.8% take while designing projects. Involving local people in systems to water vegetable gardens, and trained experienced by many outside of the main town. The two PNC check ups. 36.5% of mothers are taking the decision-making about the changes they wanted in crop rotation, seed saving and water storage district is home to a mix of ethnic groups and falls in recommended dose of iron tablets, 84.3% of mothers for their community and mobilising the community the Western Region of Nepal. techniques. Even the local schools set up vegetable are taking vitamin A, and 87% of mothers are taking played an important role in implementing projects. gardens for students to tend. Production in the de-worming medicine. The health of new-borns too World Vision began working in Kaski District in 2002, village has increased significantly. Farmers involved has improved, with 81.5% of mothers delivering in the The major projects implemented were in Water and initially with a water and sanitation project funded in the permaculture training were mandated presence of health service providers, and improved by World Vision Australia. The work then expanded Sanitation, Early Childhood Care and Development, with encouraging the farmers in their individual breast-feeding practice among 98.1% of mothers. to become an Area Development Programme (ADP) Education, Livelihood, National Children’s Congress Saraswati and her children villages in how to adopt the new techniques. Rishi The practice of eating complementary food including sponsoring children, and addressing a range of needs Project, and HIV and AIDs. The activities for most of Danda farmers have also formed a group called cereal-based, legume-based, vitamin A-rich greens, meat of children in the poorest villages. Kaski ADP started these projects included awareness-raising, technical Organic farming fosters good health Rishi Danda Taja Tarkari Samuha that works in collecting soup and dairy products is common. Malnutrition its work with the name “Naulo Abhas ADP ” in and management training, basic infrastructure and village economy organic vegetables from farmers to sell in markets. rates have decreased with 86.98% reported as being Kalika, Thumki, Majthana, Rupakot, Hansapur Village development, developing networks, and coordination. ‘I am very happy that my children are now getting adequately nourished. 66.7% of families use Oral Development Committees (VDC) and different to eat a variety of vegetables as a result of my hard Kaski is a district known for its natural beauty and plays Rehydration Solutions and visit nearby clinic/pharmacy wards of Lekhnath Municipality. Women particularly were encouraged to become work and without me having to spend money in buying host to a multitude of tourists who visit year-round and health service centres to treat diarrhoea. There has involved with local organisations. Now, with World those.’ says Saraswoti. to get a glimpse of its breathtaking landscapes and been improvement in the water and sanitation sectors Developing partnerships with community Vision’s financial support, they are making big changes mountains. Despite that tourism has not been able to in the project area. Adequate potable water (45 litres groups, VDCs, non-governmental organisations, in the lives of both children and their families in poor Saraswoti and her children are one of the beneficiaries uplift the conditions of the people in the largely agrarian or more p. person p. day) was available for 91.45% communities. of Kaski ADP’s project. A mother of two and resident of villages. Oblivious of their surroundings, but dependent of households. 99.2% of families have toilets in their Rishi Danda, a village in Lekhnath Municipality, Saraswoti on subsistence farming, most village people seem to houses and use them for defecation. 99.5% of families enrolled herself in the permaculture training offered in spend most of their time trying to make ends meet. wash their hands after going to the toilet, 89.9% wash the village, and since then, not only has she been growing They produce only enough to feed their families. Many their hands after coming home from work and 58.2% “Save our lakes, save our environment” was the the intervention of World Vision, we were like a wash their hands before eating. a variety of vegetables on her own land but also saving just own small plots of land where they mostly grow catchphrase for the women living around Begnas rudderless boat. Now, with the direction provided to money to set up funds in her village. corn and maize. Children often suffer because of a diet Lake. A group of 70 local women worked for five us by World Vision, we have formed an active working that includes little fruit or vegetables. Families spend years to clean up their environment. Begnas Lake group. We monitor the sanitation situation around the Children are cared for, protected and participating Towards ensuring that children are cared for, protected, and participating, World Vision has raised parents awareness on In 2003 World Vision, along with local organisations, the precious savings on purchasing chemical fertilisers to try Women’s Group, formed with the support of World lake and meet monthly to discuss our achievements improved child rearing practices, improved farming and livestock keeping practices and supported extra-curricular activities Nepal Permaculture Group, and the Society for Rural to increase the production of their land. Vision, raised awareness in preserving and conserving or challenges. We began our work with sanitation and in schools. Urban Partnership, started to work with poor farmers nature through their oft-repeated slogan “Use have ended in conservation.” This has also empowered in Kaski to improve agricultural production. This was But today, with the knowledge of permaculture and Agriculture was identified as the major source of income for 34.5% (agriculture 31.1 and poultry 3.4%) of families and without abuse”. Fish farming, lotus-flower rearing, the other women in the community and has made 80.4% of families have enough food to provide for their children, confirming that the households in the project area have in response to farmers saying that what they grew was organic farming, villagers in Kaski have learnt to put household waste management, sanitation campaigns, an impact in the whole community. Today, children better living compared to the national average of 75% of families. More than 2000 children have been trained in running barely enough to sustain them through the year. Most nature to good use in agriculture, and to stay healthy. adult non-formal education, leadership training were also feel equally responsible for their environment. A community-based children’s clubs, which encourages children’s participation in improving their community and school farmers reported that there was 2-3 months of the They are no longer unaware of the benefits of their some of the many activities these women carried member of the same group, Durga Adhikari, says, “My environment while developing their creative and leadership skills. year when their stores of food were virtually finished, natural surroundings. They have come to realise that out in their community of 120 households. The children have become so conscious of conservation, and often they lacked the money to buy extra food. their fertile fields can produce much more than just funds raised from their activities helped sustain their they bring their rubbish home rather than throwing Children are educated for life Therefore groups of interested farmers - men and corn and maize. This has consequently improved their development efforts around the lake. it on the roadside.” In the Annual Lake Festival, the World Vision has reaffirmed the right of a child to education by promoting a child-friendly learning environment, child women - were invited to redesign their plots of land income. women hold cleaning campaigns and jointly promote rights, quality teaching; inclusive education for girls, Dalits, and ethnic minorities; early childhood care and development, along permaculture principles. This meant getting rid of Shanti Khanal from the Begnas Lake Women’s Group home-made products. The next generation will be and capacity-building – technical and management. Today 98.9% of school-going age children are enrolled in schools. all chemical pesticides and fertilisers, finding natural ways Today 8 villages and around 260 farmers trained by acknowledges World Vision’s support in strengthening much more aware of the link between environmental Similarly, 98% of 6 to 14 year-olds, 97% percent of 15 to 16 year-olds, and 91.3% of 17 to 18 year-old are enrolled in of controlling insects, and using only organic compost World Vision use the permaculture approach that bases the role of women in her community. “Before degradation and poverty and poor health. school. Enrolment of children between 6-18 years is 96.9%. 62.8% of children aged 3-5 are going to early childhood to fertilise the soil. Permaculture focuses on how all production around the natural cycles, seasonal cultivation, development centres ensuring that their developmental needs are met. aspects of production can be integrated – so that water and use of sustainable resources through small-scale run-off is managed and sustainable, and animal waste is farming. Source: Kaski ADP End line Household Survey Report-March 2013

3 4 13 14 Transformation through permaculture farming, which has helped her increase Securing good income for children where he sells chicken. He has saved enough production on her farm. Today she proudly confesses money to send his two sons to a good school sponsorship Bijay and Bikram, two brothers and friends, enjoy that the money she has earned has helped her with her looking after the chickens in their new poultry and given them a healthy diet. “The best thing that has happened in my life because household expenses, her three daughters’ education, farm. Their father, Pushpa Raj, says, ‘Now that I run of World Vision is that my father is here with us even the weddings of the older two daughters. a small poultry farm and fresh meat house I am The entrepreneurship and vocational instead of working abroad,” says Sapana, a former able to earn more money to give my children good training given to landless people through the Kaski ADP-sponsored child. Sapana lives with her Sapana and her family are grateful to World Vision food, clothes and education. My children love to Kaski Livelihood Project in Hansapur VDC, parents in Lekhnath Municipality and was enrolled in for the opportunities she and other families in her have meat in their meals and I don’t need to spend has created sustainable income-generating sponsorship in 2003. community received and the changes she sees today. money buying it.’ opportunities for many families. World Vision They had never grown vegetables in that area and always worked with families from both farming Sapana was studying in a government school near her had to buy them, but now they grow and sell different Pushpa did not have enough money to cater for and non-farming households to improve house named Arunodaya. With the support of World green vegetables. This has helped her family and her his sons’ needs when he ran a small shop selling a their livelihoods through training in organic Vision, the school now has a concrete building instead community as a whole, so much so that her father who few daily essentials. He could not afford to provide farming, animal husbandry and development of the old hut. Sapana recalls the time she and her was working abroad has now returned home where he nutritious food or buy good clothes for his sons. In of small business initiatives. friends started enjoying their new school. is helping grow vegetables and rearing livestock. 2010, Pushpa, along with many others in his village, attended a training in entrepreneurship and since Since 2002, World Vision has worked in Sapana’s family were poor. Though they had some land, World Vision has improved children’s well-being then has not looked back. As soon as he acquired 11 wards of Lekhnath Municipality and 29 it was barren and only produced crops. This was the through child-focused transformational development, some business skills, he bought some chickens and different wards of 5 VDCs of Kaski District reason why her father had to go abroad to work. Sapana’s disaster management, and the promotion of justice opened a poultry shed in his own basement. After to train 6248 people including 2997 women mother Sumitra however, got involved in a local savings having sponsored 3241 children in Kaski ADP. rearing them, he opened up a small shop from in livelihoods. and credit mother’s group, through which she got to participate in numerous activities held by the ADP. Child sponsorship in World Vision is an effective and fulfilling way to help give a child from a poor Bijay and Bikram in their poultry shed Sumitra attended the seasonal and off-season vegetable community the chance of a brighter future. Sponsors’ farming training, after which, and with the support of contributions fund vital development work in a World Vision, she built three greenhouses. Sumitra also sponsored child’s community and makes a real attended the animal husbandry training. She took out a contribution to the well-being of children. Sponsors loan from her savings and credit group and bought two witness these changes through progress reports goats which reproduced and became 20. Selling most from the community and personal communication of the goats, she was able to buy two buffaloes. Now with their sponsored children. World Vision’s project she is proud to have, buffaloes and 12 goats in her shed. activities in communities benefit not just sponsored She also took training in preparing organic manure/ children but all children and their families.

Sapana with her mother

12 5 Access to Water and Sanitation Child clubs promotes participation of children

I have never been happier in my life longer miss school, and with the run-off water families convince parents and adults in our village to Chandra’s happiness knows no bounds. Plagued have started to grow vegetables on the plots of land take part in our awareness raising events. Our by disharmony due to fights for limited access around their houses. abilities were often underestimated and many to water, her village is now enjoying much elders shrugged off what we did.” better relationships. Her backaches have Despite Kaski District being dominated by disappeared. The simple reason - water is now Himalayan peaks covered with ice and snow, Today the club is a part of network with 37 other clubs through which work is carried out accessible and available. access to water is still a major problem especially for those living in the hill areas. For many children, collaboratively. “At present we are working on setting up the first community library in “It was my responsibility to bring water from their daily routine involves walking for up to an our village and it will serve as a model and the nearby spring. I had to walk for almost half hour over steep terrain to collect water from a stream or spring, sometimes twice a day. Sometimes be accessible to all besides children.” With an hour everyday just to fetch drinking water the help of the same network, Bikash and his it means they miss school. In some cases families from a natural spring and an extra hour to friends were also able to collect funds for an will gradually move away as water sources dry up. wash clothes in the river, and my back would ailing friend who had to be operated. He feels Once-thriving villages begin to die. hurt but I had no choice,” recalls Chandra. a great sense of achievement and is thankful to “Often we had fights at the water source as World Vision for all the mentoring and trainings. the water available in the spring was limited and we had to wait for it to refill.” World Vision has supported child clubs like Chandra happy to have access to water Srijanshil Child Club in Kaski ADP under Chandra, a mother of two, lives with its National Children’s Congress Project. her family in Saldada village in Lekhnath Many activities are carried out in these clubs Municipality. In 2005 World Vision provided with the active participation of children in financial and technical support for a drinking the community. Child clubs were set up in water project in her village whereby 35 communities with the objective of promoting families provided their labour to build a child rights awareness; child rights development, 5,000 litre tank in which to collect water Bikash, a child club advisor in Kaski advocacy and capacity building for children, so from a nearby forest spring water source that children will have vision, mission and a and distribute it to the households. plan in their lives. Child clubs organize regular A 21-year-old Bikash is working as an advisor for a child activities as writing enhancement skills, spelling Today her face lights up when she talks about club he has been involved with for the past ten years. contests, drawing competition, skit shows, how World Vision has helped her village by In 2003, he along with a group of friends established preparing wall magazines, street dramas etc. bringing water to her front yard. “Not only Srijanshil Child Club in his village in Lekhnath Child clubs also organize street drama and their dramas are based on social issues facing me but my family, especially my mother- in-law Municipality with the support of World Vision. At that their communities such as discrimination of a begins her day blessing World Vision as she time, he was 11 years old and he was motivated by a girl child, disadvantages of drinking and drug washes her face,” says Chandra and continues, staff of World Vision who told him children too can use, importance of education, etc. Child club “When World Vision brought water to our play an important role in making a positive difference in the community. activities provide a platform for children to village, it was the happiest time of my life here have their voices heard in their communities after getting married. Even now it pains me to He recalls, “I remember my first district children’s and impact decision makers. think about the days when we had no access gathering event, I could barely speak. But with the to water.” trainings I received over the years, I started leading The National Children’s Congress project my club and became its president.” Bikash and his was implemented in Kaski ADP with a goal In order to ensure that the system is well- club members also worked to address the problems to empower children to raise their voice and maintained, a Water Users Committee was of his peers in the community, organised fairs, influence development activities and social formed with community representatives who sanitation campaigns and even set up an information policies related to them. More than 2000 oversee a management and maintenance fund centre in one of the schools in the village. This centre girls and boys have directly benefited from to which every household contributes a minimal served children’s need and functioned like a library. this project. amount. With water available at their front yard, He continues, “We faced many challenges, we had to childhood illness has been reduced, children no

6 11 Keeping children and families safe and healthy Kusalta’s mother cleans thier toilet other young girls’ fears came to an end when World while Kusalta looks on Vision helped pay for the construction of toilets for every house. Now every house has a toilet.

Kaski ADP raising awareness on HIV and AIDS Villagers are happy that they no longer have to walk long distances to relieve themselves. Kusalta and her family are amongst them. Safalta’s mother says, “We had got used to it. But as my daughters were growing up, I had started to feel bad for them. I’ve had my own share of fears, and the worst one was having diarrhoea. It was like a curse for everyone in the village.”

Now that every house has a toilet in Jamankuna village, Rupa Lake is suffering less from foul smells. Clean environment, healthy children Villagers have been able to keep their surroundings Kusalta lives with her mother and elder sister Safalta in clean. Kusalta and Safalta take turns to help their Rupakot. Her house is situated right next to a beautiful mother clean the toilet. Kusalta not only cleans lake, the Rupa Lake, where she goes swimming and their toilet but also goes around her village, advising boating. Rupa Lake is famous for fishery and white people how to use and keep their toilets clean. lotus. Kusalta and the villagers of Jamankuna take pride in the lake and the beauty it has given their small village. When World Vision began work in villages in Kaski, it was obvious that sanitation was very poor Kusalta says, “This place may look and feel beautiful resulting in diarrhoea and illness regularly affecting now, but it was not the same before. The surrounding young children. Working initially with mothers and jungle had a very foul smell and people avoided coming grandmothers, World Vision undertook training to to Rupa Lake.” show women how to make their households more hygienic and deal with children with diarrhoea. A Over 20 houses surrounding Jamankuna village did “Diarrhoea Monitor” in the village was nominated, not have toilets. For years, the villagers defecated in and she kept track of those children in the village who the open. The accumulated pollution produced a bad had regular diarrhoea, and with better knowledge smell in the area, spoiling the beauty of the place. The amongst mothers as to how to manage it, whether From 2005-2010, World Vision launched a new project within these groups, with the use of flyers, media foul smell had also started to pose a health threat to the situation was improving. At the same time, World in the Kaski District to address rapidly rising rates of and radio. Both in school and out of school, children villagers. In midsummer, the whole place would smell Vision initiated campaigns in villages to raise the issue HIV infection. This project promoted voluntary testing, and youth benefited from HIV- awareness and even worse. There came a point where people couldn’t of hygiene and sanitation in schools. Children were helped reduce stigma towards people living with peer education initiatives, such as quiz contests, walk around because of the pollution. Villagers had taught poems and catchy songs and dances about HIV and AIDS, and it resulted in remarkably positive public speaking, essay and drawing competitions. to walk into the forest as the nearby places were all good hygiene, posters were put up, and gradually behavioural changes among religious and other opinion World Vision communicated the risk to groups and polluted by fecal matter. children caught on to the message about washing leaders and within the district more broadly. World communities who were most at risk with various their hands, combing their hair to keep headlice Vision concentrated on –awareness raising about HIV discussions/education on HIV and AIDS, needle- Kusalta’s sister Safalta says, “Our village is covered by under control, using toilets rather than defecating in and AIDS, prevention, care for those already living with sharing, behavioural change, reproductive health, a thick forest. For years, the jungle was my toilet. Even the open, keeping animals away from drinking water the virus, and providing special support for children safer sex, and sexually transmitted diseases amongst though I feared going there, everyone went there and I pots, and so on. Soon mothers and grandmothers affected by HIV and AIDS. spouses of migrant workers, carpet factory workers, had no choice but to take my sister there too.” were humming the songs, and gradually, reinforced by taxi drivers and rickshaw pullers. better sanitation, the Diahorrea Monitors noticed an The HIV and AIDS epidemic posed a threat to the Girls of Kusalta’s age, not only feared using the improvement in children’s health. population of Kaski, especially the lives of children Naulo Abhas Care Home in Begnas Taal, which was open toilets, as they were growing, they were also and young people. High-risk groups included supported by Kaski ADP for two years, was formally embarrassed to do so. Fear of leeches in the rainy Since 2002, World Vision has worked in 11 wards of injecting drug users, sex workers and migrant or handed over to a local partner NGO, Community season, having to go alone at night time, embarrassment Lekhnath Municipality and 29 different wards of 5 transport labourers. World Vision worked closely Support Group. This home provides initial care for in the day time were some of the discomforts they VDCs in Kaski District to install 43 water schemes, with schoolteachers, school administrations and people identified as HIV positive, assists them while felt. Since Kusalta’s house is situated right at the edge 1308 household toilets, 18 school toilets, 1 public parents of school children as well as with local they establish an Antiretroviral (ARV) regime, links of the forest, there were nights when the family had toilet, 201 water collection jars and improve 221 authorities. HIV- awareness was also conducted them with medical services, and gives home-based care. sleepless nights because of the smell. Kusalta and the cattle sheds.

10 7 Promoting early-childhood development Our school is child friendly Currently the school has four concrete buildings with 15 Sagar, 15 studies in Kalika Lower Secondary School in classrooms, furniture and separate toilet for girls and boys. and child-friendly education Majuwa village, Lekhnath Municipality. He loves school There is access to safe drinking water and the school is and says, “Besides studying I enjoy meeting up with safely secured with walls. With a well-equipped science have been provided by the municipality. Patneri ECD centre friends and teachers in my school.” At Kalika Lower laboratory and library, the school has a child-friendly has been recognised by the DEO as a model ECD centre Secondary, classes are run in a child-friendly manner and learning and teaching environment. There are ten well- in Kaski. With their children attending the ECD centre, children have a place to read in class with book corners. trained teachers and students from marginal families are mothers can now work in the fields knowing their children given scholarships. The school has no dropouts and the are safe, and they can see that their children are developing Though Shree Kalika Lower Secondary School was pass rate is 100 percent. Manju has also been recognised both physically and socially. established in1991 it was very difficult to run the school by the DEO for her consistent efforts to improve the due to poor infrastructure and lack of trained teachers. quality of her teaching in her school. She says, “I am Young children in poor areas of Kaski have little access Manju Poudel, who’s been Principal for the past 22 years happy as my desire was to teach children in an improved to child development activities to help their physical says, “We just had three classrooms and children used environment and this has been achieved.” and social growth. Cultural, gender, and social biases to bring sacks from home to sit on and we didn’t have Manish with his mother in have meant that many issues of child development and In Kaski, issues such as poverty, shortage of schools and the ECD centre enough resources to teach. In 2007, World Vision helped maternal health care have not been addressed. Most us add three more classrooms, a water tank, school teachers in isolated areas, high dropout rates in primary mothers work in the fields and therefore have little time compound fence, and provided teaching materials and school, low enrolment in secondary school and poor Mothers happy to see their to attend to their children. They leave young children child-friendly training for our teachers. In collaboration facilities have hindered children receiving education. children safe and healthy with older siblings or alone at home in home-made with the District Education Office (DEO), World Vision “I am happy to see my child getting proper care swinging bamboo cribs. Most women do not understand also supported the training of the School Management Since 2002, World Vision has supported 33 schools here,” shares Salina, mother of two-year old Manish that young children have any special developmental Committee and Parent-Teachers’ Association to ensure with the construction of 16 school buildings, 17 who has just started attending the Early Childhood needs, and most regard the role of the father in a child’s the active involvement of parents and school. As a result, libraries, 12 science laboratories and 1 resource centre Development (ECD) centre in Patneri village in upbringing as minimal. The government has set up Early parents have also contributed to the progress of the in Kaski ADP. World Vision’s work in the education Lekhnath Municipality. Manish, along with 15 other Childhood Development centres in many places in school, donating equipment.” sector was to increase poor and disadvantaged children, attends the centre for children aged 2-4. Nepal, but they are not accessible to everyone. children’s access to quality education. World Vision Built in 2004 with the support of World Vision, the Besides World Vision, the school also received also encouraged parents to value education for their centre today is run by the local community. To address the developmental needs of young children in support from government line agencies, Lekhnath children. Through community discussions and parents’ the area Kaski ADP works in, in 2004 it started to work Municipality, youth clubs, VSO, and local NGOs. groups, World Vision helped parents see the benefits The ECD centre takes care of children’s nutrition with the parents of young children, to improve parents of their children, especially girls, finishing school. and health by providing a healthy meal once a day. and caregivers’ understanding through training sessions The children are fed rice pudding and lito at the on child growth and development, nutrition, immunization, centre. Lito is a nutritious dish made by mixing and safety and protection, and maternal health care. The training Manju with her students in Kalika Lower Secondary School grinding grains into flour and fortifying it with ghee, emphasised how young children learn through playing – an honey and eggs. The children are also taught games, unusual concept for parents who are used to focussing on rhymes and songs with messages on health and the cycles of planting and harvesting as their main priorities. hygiene. Anju Pariyar, ECD facilitator, who has been taking care of children in the centre for the past nine World Vision has helped communities build 10 Early years says, “Before we ran this centre, children often Childhood Development centres. The centres were built stayed home or went to the fields with their parents, with local labour. World Vision paid for 2 early childhood who are mostly marginal farmers. The centre has workers to be employed in each centre. The benefits also improved the health of children. Many children have become evident in the years the centres have who come from poor families and are malnourished operated – they have helped malnourished children and become healthier here.” The centre is now registered their families to find home-based solutions to improve in the District Education Office (DEO) and is being their health. Children who have attended the centres go supported by the local mother’s group, which takes on to perform better at school than those who have not care of the maintenance and cleanliness of the centre. – they are more curious about their environment and A management committee meets every month and more resilient. Today these centres are registered at the contributes a minimum of 50 rs. which is kept as a District Education Office and village-based management fund to sustain the centre. Training has been provided committees run the centres and raise funds to support to the management committee, teaching materials their operations.

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