Setting free bonded labourers
in Nepal

In Nepal, families are so poor they have to borrow money from ‘landlords’ to survive. Interest rates are so high, the loan can never be repaid. People are labourers bonded to the landlord, until like Chanakala Poundryal they are set free…

“Before the Lutheran help came here, we used to cultivate just cereal. We had no idea how to grow vegetables or raise livestock. We had nothing to sell.

Now we grow so much. In winter there is cauliflower, cow-peas, cabbage, pigeon-peas, radish and lentils. In summer there will be pumpkin, okra, tomato and sweet-corn. I have also harvested 150 kgs of potatoes.

I am a member of the Savings Group and it is easy to take a loan. I plan to extend the vegetable farm, and I also wish to raise goats and livestock. I have also started a small shop at the front of my house.

Now we are free, and no one can bind us to do work.

I say thank you to the people in Australia who support us. I am very happy and give you many, many thanks. This is the greatest religion when there are people who are helpful and co-operative and care about families like ours.”

Action Ideas: Choose an Agricultural Kit so a family in Nepal can grow enough food for their family and become independent. Just $27. 

Country: Nepal

Where: Selected Districts in the Far West, Mid West, & Far Eastern Regions

What: Sustainable Livelihood Improvement Project; Emergency Response & Disaster Risk Management Project; Peace, Reconciliation and Human Rights Project

Who: 42,000 households

Our Contribution: $380,000 (2011-2012)

The Nepal Program covers 62 Village Development Committees (VDCs) of Kailali, Dailekh, Lalitpur, Rasuwa, Ramechhap, Morang and Jhapa districts of Nepal. LWF Nepal works with 155,925 rights holders and majority of them are Dalits, Indigenous People and other economically and socially poor and oppressed people. So, far LWF Nepal has promoted and strengthened 85 community institutions (Disaster Management Committees, Community-based Organizations and Cooperatives), and 1072 self help groups who will be the key partners for LWF Nepal for its rights-based empowerment works in 2011.

Through the three projects you support in Nepal, you are helping many people to transform their lives in many ways.