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Our partners go door to door talking to community members to find out their challenges and hopes for transformation.
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One year ago, Pankh Bohora was given a loan. He lives in a remote community in Western Nepal where more than half the population survives on less than 50c a day. The loan was pulled together by fellow members of his community Self Help Group. At each meeting, members contribute a small amount toward a fund that can be used as a loan for members; it’s supplemented by International Nepal Fellowship. The amount? AUD $287.00. Pankh was chosen by his group to receive the loan because in spite of his best efforts as the owner of a small market stall, he was really struggling to meet the needs of his family of eight. “There are no employment opportunities in my village and many people leave to find work in India,” he says. “My small shop met some of our family needs, but not enough. I joined the Self Help Group very eagerly, but I didn’t know what a big impact it would have.” Pankh invested his loan into chickens. He bought a flock and took part in livestock breeding and small business training offered by INF through their local project coordinators. But at first, things went badly. “Some of my chickens died, even though I cared for them very well,” Pankh says. “But I did not give up hope and continued to raise them with perseverance.” Within a season, the tide had turned. “Now I am earning NRs 20,000-25,000 (AUD $230-287) per season,” Pankh says. “I have been able to repay the revolving fund taken from the group as the poultry farming is running well. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for the work done by INF Nepal for our communities and people, and I plan to expand this business in its own right.” Here’s what A$287, Pankh’s hard work and the support of INF have delivered for Pankh’s whole family: Education, improved health and hope for Pankh’s daughters, whose continued education will mean delayed onset of marriage, fewer unplanned pregnancies and the ability to help shape the next generation as well as start their own small businesses Opportunities to create a livelihood close to home for Pankh’s sons, who would otherwise leave the area to find work and send home money from across the border Earning capacity and leadership opportunities for Pankh’s wife, who has joined a Self Help Group and become a role model for others Best yet, the loan has been repaid and will be extended to another member of the group. This is the power of 287. If you’d like to help support a life changing loan of $287 for someone who’ll make great use of it, please visit us at our Walk For Nepal page. This event is helping support specific goals the people of Kalikot have set for their community for the coming year.
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Why advocacy really matters In early 2021, the world looked on aghast as the Delta strain of COVID-19 decimated communities in India. Exhausted medical staff, desperate people carrying oxygen tanks, a death toll that sent fear up the spines of people everywhere: it was on the news nightly for weeks. “Many of us didn’t realise that Nepal, right next door, was suffering in similar ways,” recalls International Nepal Fellowship Australia CEO Ben Thurley. “The local Nepalese community here in Australia was mobilising fast to do what they could, and one of those things was advocating to Government to provide COVID aid not only to India, but to Nepal as well.” The Nepalese community is the fastest growing segment of the migrant population in Australia. They believed they had a cause and numbers to support their message, but would Government listen? “The previous year, we’d heard that the Government was planning to cut aid. DFAT was very clear – they were considering cuts to every program in SE Asia,” says Ben. “Alongside Nepali organisations, we put together a joint letter to the Foreign Minister and a public petition that was signed by hundreds of people, including International Nepal Fellowship supporters. We also organised a meeting with advisors to the Foreign Minister.” The outcome? When the aid budget was released, there were only three countries that escaped deep cuts to programs. Nepal was among them. “Of course we don’t know for sure it was the result of the campaign, but when communities raise their voices, governments do listen,” Ben says. “They may still make decisions we don’t agree with, but living in a democracy means we have every opportunity to speak up.” The outcome in 2020 encouraged INF and local Nepalese organisations in mid 2021 to request specific COVID aid for Nepal, as well as Australian Government support for a waiver of World Trade Organisation rules that prevented equitable development and distribution of COVID-19 treatments. Again, the community rallied to create a petition and conversations with Government reps. When additional aid was given to India, it was followed up with another 7 million for Nepal, as well as support for the waiver. “That made a huge difference on the ground in Nepal,” Ben says. “The money was channelled through the Australian Embassy in Nepal to local NGOs, among them International Nepal Fellowship who opened an additional oxygen plant to supply patients in Green Pastures Hospital. While negotiations on WTO rules continues, it was a very concrete win.” Off the back of both campaigns, International Nepal Fellowship is once more advocating to the Australia Government. We’re asking that aid to Nepal, and to other global neighbours, be increased. Please help us by signing the petition here, and if you’re able, write to your local member to put your concerns on the agenda.
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For Your Prayers… WACT Give thanks for the successful visit of INF Australia’s International Programs Manager Russ Hancock, with whom WACT was able to share stories of their work and a vision for the future. Russ also travelled to spend time with child and adolescent groups where he met a number of young people who have returned to the group as leaders. They told Russ they wanted to help train others in the kinds of life skills that they had personally found valuable as members of the group. WACT is attempting to complete some of their activities by the end of September and have found local elections disruptive. They also seek prayer for regular rainfall as they come to the end of the monsoon season. Severe flooding devastated communities last year. Shanti Nepal Give thanks for the visit by Russ Hancock, International Programs Manager INF Australia to Shanti Nepal. It was a time of sharing information and encouragement together. Give thanks also for a fruitful meeting with the Chief Minister of Bagmati Province. Shanti has finalised and submitted our Annual project report to our funding partners, which provides security for the coming year. Please pray that funds will be allocated by local municipalities in the agreed amounts by the agreed deadlines – this is proving to be something of a challenge. Both federal and provincial elections have also disrupted some of the projects, meaning it will be difficult to complete them on time. INF Australia Give thanks for our Celebrate Nepal event on September 17 in Sydney. We launched our advocacy action at this event as well as provided opportunities for people to fellowship together and learn more from our partners in Nepal. Thank God for two new recruitments to help out in Australia – a new Office Coordinator and Company Secretary. Pray that the new staff and advisor will settle in well to support the work of INF Australia. Give thanks that Caryn and Peter Kneale have now arrived in Pokhara and are preparing for orientation and language training. Ask God to give them energy and plenty of people to support them as they adjust to their new roles and home. MILAP Give thanks for time spent with INF Australia’s International Programs Manager, Russ Hancock, who met with MILAP staff and government officials in the field. MILAP Executive Director, Mr Rajendra Bdr Sunar, also attended Community Driven Development training in Bala Vikasa India for two weeks. The experience was extremely helpful in planning MILAP’s activities for the next six months. MILAP gives thanks for the marriage of Mr Rajendra Bdr Sunar who will wed Kristina Prithi on the September 7 and asks that we pray for his married life. Please pray for the newly elected Executive Board under the leadership of Pastor Ramesh Raj Regmi, Chairperson of Milap. Pray for wisdom and compassion, especially as MILAP deals with the inability of their staff to visit in the field due to damaged roads and intense rainfall. INF Give thanks for the opening of a new mother and child care facility at Green Pastures Hospital (GPH). This on-site facility will help the working mothers at GPH who wish to bring their babies to work. Please pray for the ongoing planning and preparation for the celebration of INF’s 70 years of service in Nepal. The decision to operate a rehabilitation service in Shining Hospital INF Nepal Surkhet has been made. Please pray for the planning of the activities, human resources and funding availability. Give thanks for the visas that are available for expat volunteers – this really is an amazing blessing and opportunity to strengthen the capacity of INF with expertise in a range of technical areas. Please pray for those waiting for their applications to be processed, including the teachers who are urgently needed for the next academic year at the Pokhara Study Centre.
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Rebika and Santosh are Walking for Nepal! They’re raising money for a remote community in the western region by walking throughout November and December – check it out at inf.org.au/walkfornepal
Open On InstagramLove Nepal and her people? Want to see women and girls given a voice and families creating their own incomes? Health and disability care for all and a meaningful response to climate change? Follow International Nepal Fellowship Australia: responding in faith, reaching out in love
Open On InstagramWhen Kamala fell from a tree while gathering foliage for her animals, her injury led to a double amputation. She didn’t believe life could get any worse, but it did. Her resilience and the love of INF have brought new life from despair.
Open On InstagramINF Australia is working with partners in Nepal and the Australian Government through the #ANCP to respond to Nepal’s ongoing needs during COVID 19.
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