Roots For Life

Category: Kunikhop-EN

  • The girls from the Kids Club…

    The girls from the Kids Club…

    .. in Kunikhop (Jaidu, Jyanging, Surke) danced and sang at the closing ceremony of the farm project. The educational programme has been supporting girls aged 4 to 20+ for 5 years and is closely linked to the cooperative.

    In addition to materials for the little ones, there is a hostel in Sallerie for grades 11 and 12, as well as individual scholarships for academic or vocational further education after grade 12 in Kathmandu. In addition to materials for the little ones, there is a hostel in Sallerie for grades 11 and 12, as well as individual scholarships for academic or vocational further education after grade 12 in Kathmandu.

    The team knows the families, which enables consistent and sustainable support.

    We would like to thank the Schöck Family Foundation and the sponsors who make it possible for these girls to lead self-determined lives.

    .. songs were sung in Nepali and English
    .. this year, for the first time, guitars were also played
    .. different groups from the Kids Club danced
    .. just in time for winter, the popular fleece jackets are back
    .. the graduates also attend the party and talk about their future lives

    .. everyone puts on their jackets for a final photo

  • The women farmers..

    The women farmers..

    .. in Kunikhop (Jaidu, Jyanging, Surke) have learned a great deal over the past five years. They now all have greenhouses, can grow their own seedlings or buy them from the model farm, the variety of vegetables has increased significantly, and they can even generate income from selling vegetables.

    Not only have the women in the cooperative learned a great deal from the training sessions, they have also exchanged new ideas with each other on a regular basis.

    But it’s not just the women in the cooperative who have learned a lot in the training sessions; they have also exchanged new ideas among themselves time and again.

    Many thanks to the Schoeck Family Foundation for its ongoing support of this initiative.

    .. Every farmer has at least one, often two greenhouses.
    .. After harvesting, a few of the long beans are left on the bush to become good seeds.
    .. After mixed cultivation of maize and beans, the maize stalks are used to dry the herb – important fodder for the winter.
    .. .. Collect animal urine for compost in the garden using simple means.
    .. Yellow boards are used almost everywhere as biological insect traps.

    .. Every morning, the beans are brought out into the sun to dry and brought back into the house in the evening.

  • For five years…

    For five years…

    …RfL has been supporting all girls from the villages of Kunikhop (Jaidu, Jyanging, Surke) whose mothers are members of the cooperative. This has led to a massive increase in the graduation rate for grades 10 and 12, and in 2025, the first girl will begin higher education after grade 12.

    Many thanks to our sponsors who make this possible.

    https://youtu.be/fn9XhE3PW3k

  • For five years now…

    For five years now…

    …we have been working together with the 65 women of the cooperative in Kunikhop (Jaidu, Jyanging, Surke) on PGS (Participatory Guarantee System) certification for the cultivation of organic vegetables, Farmers’ Field Schools to deepen their knowledge, and income generation through sewing and vegetable sales. The model farm with a training hall has been set up and marketing opportunities have been explored together. The first 17 women have even been recertified this time.

    Now the women are equipped to continue growing vegetables and generating income independently. A reason to celebrate.

    Many thanks to the Schöck Family Foundation for supporting the farm and to Fair Styria for the recertification.

    .. Nestled in the centre of the villages is the model farm, where all training takes place and seedlings are grown.

    .. Sensitive vegetables are grown in the greenhouse.
    .. Including seedlings – currently for winter vegetables.
    .. Participants in the current special training course receive important material for maintaining the greenhouses and fields.

    .. The recertification exam was also held as part of the training course.

  • At the hostel..

    At the hostel..

    ..our first stop was the garden. Once again, there are some new vegetables that the girls proudly present. The continuous maintenance of the beds is still a small challenge.

    For the winter, there is now a small instantaneous water heater, providing easy hot showers and warm jackets.

    The girls are very happy.

    Many thanks to the Schöck Family Foundation, which has been supporting the hostel so wonderfully for years.

    .. In addition to young plants, runner beans are also grown in the greenhouse.
    .. The ‘three sisters’ in mixed cultivation in Solu are maize, beans and pumpkins.
    .. The aubergines in the greenhouse are something special for the girls.
    .. Mixed cultivation in the beds is intended to ensure good yields without pests.
    .. The girls are looking forward to the boiler.

    .. Warm waistcoats for the winter are also important.

  • We set off on 9 October…

    We set off on 9 October…

    …towards Solukhumbu. Unfortunately, some of the roads were still impassable. Parts of the road were missing after last year’s floods, and the alternative route through the riverbed was impassable due to the current water level. So we flew to Janakpur and took a jeep to Solu from there.

    Many thanks to my team, who always find a solution for everything.

    .. we really checked all the options ?
    .. finally took a plane to Janakpur
    .. arrived in the evening, delayed as is usual in this country
    .. after 3 hours in the jeep, we reached the big junction – straight on for 7 hours to cover 96 km, then only 3 more hours ?
    .. that was the old road to Solukhumbu, no longer in use
    .. still under construction in some places

    .. still under construction in some places

  • Once a year ..

    Once a year ..

    .. sitting down together at one table is fun and also very productive. We reflect on the past months together and prepare the next steps. Even though we see each other online every week, there is still a lot to discuss.

    Many thanks to our wonderful team, which has been steadily supporting the project for years. This means that all sponsors can be sure that their donations are having an impact.

    Many thanks to the Schöck Family Foundation and Fair Styria, whose support makes this work possible.

    .. After a workshop, we had a meal together at SWI.
    .. Intensive work with our scholarship coordinator.
    .. We found some new support there ?.
    .. The budget meetings are always particularly exciting.
    .. There is also a lot to discuss together.

    .. At SWI, everything is done as a team.

  • Where are the days …

    Where are the days …

    when the monsoon in Nepal reliably ended in mid-September? Heavy rain, the rivers are rising again, the airport and public transport are repeatedly suspended. The subsequent sunshine triggers further landslides.

    ‘Our highway’ towards Solukhumbu was closed on 4 October 2025 until further notice due to landslides and flooding.

    So once again, it is uncertain whether, when and how we will be able to drive to the villages.

    https://kathmandupost.com/province-no-3/2025/10/05/landslide-risk-persists-along-chitwan-kathmandu-road

  • In 2007..

    In 2007..

    ..I flew to Nepal for the first time and was impressed by the approach. Almost 20 years and what feels like a million aeroplane photos later, the approximately 30th approach is still impressive. Today, I associate it not only with scenic beauty but also with an inkling of the challenges this country faces.

    I am looking forward to a good time with our Nepalese team. Thank you to all the sponsors who have made our work possible for 12 years now.

    .. this time, Himalaya at dawn
    .. after the Indian lowlands come the low mountain ranges and the landing
    .. women power at reception in Kathmandu

    .. After 16 hours of travelling with only 2 hours of sleep, the cappuccino at the hotel tastes especially good ?

  • In Nepal…

    In Nepal…

    … the ban on 26 social media platforms has awakened a generation. Thousands of young people protested against corruption, inequality and an old elite, some of whose representatives have been in power for over 10 years. Every day, around 2,000 young Nepalese leave the country because they have no prospects. But many want to stay, raise their voices and change the country.

    There is now a transitional government that is supposed to organise new elections.

    We wish them all the best and hope that our projects can also contribute to this.

    Many thanks to all our supporters who have made this work possible for over 10 years.

    .. these girls need prospects in their own country
    .. education is the most important tool for dealing with difficult situations
    .. girls have a right to a good life in their own country

    .. ‘building bridges’ – in studies, in everyday life, in politics