Rtn Chuda Karki: Latuali Village Project

Our member Dr Chuda Karki told us today about the Club’s prospective Latualli Village Project in partnership with the Rotary Club of Ratnanagar in Nepal.

Latualli is a village of the Chepang Community. Until recently the Chepang people lived a nomadic life but they have now established some permanent settlements in the area, including Lataulli. There are just 63 residents plus a school. The men tend to go overseas to earn money to send back to their families. The women remain at home to look after the household and the children. They mainly farm buckwheat.

The money we have already donated has started to make a difference. A new house is being built for a 75 year-old widow. A water tank is being used to hold water piped down from a higher village. Meals are being provided for the schoolchildren, which has increased average daily attendance from 45 to 150.

Future plans include 30 desks and chairs for the school and the construction of toilets, which will give more girls the confidence to attend. It is also hoped to provide solar panels for the houses to power lighting and perhaps other things and microfinance to help the women pay for seeds and for chickens.