Roots For Life

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  • 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.

  • 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 ?

  • The women in Ghunsa..

    The women in Ghunsa..

    .. run the model farm in an exemplary manner.

    In mixed cultivation, the plants support each other. The young plants are in the field and everything is being prepared for the next sowing in the greenhouse.

    Many thanks to the Schöck Family Foundation for supporting the farms.

    .. the women are proud of their beds
    .. they choose the mix of crops themselves
    .. the new plants are in the beds
    .. the next plants are being sown here

     

  • 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

  • One of the best farms…

    One of the best farms…

     …in Ghunsa, Solukhumbu seen from the air.

    Many thanks to the Schöck Family Foundation for supporting the farms.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yF41jlVUtrk

  • End of school …

    End of school …

    … is a reason for everyone to celebrate. The girls at the hostel have also completed their exams for year 11 and 12. The results for year 11 are already in and all the girls have passed.

    Our warmest congratulations.

    Many thanks also to the Schöck Family Foundation for supporting the girls.

    .. the exams are over – the joy is great
    .. all the girls from the hostel in front of their school
    .. followed by momos, of course

    .. a ‘cake’ for dessert

  • We look forward…

    We look forward…

    …to taking you on a tour of a farm.

    Many thanks to the Schöck Family Foundation for supporting the women in organic vegetable farming.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0o7WmTpZDbc

  • Together …

    Together …

    … the women sell their vegetables through the cooperative to so-called ‘vegetable brokers’. This generates income for the women and for the cooperative.

    This sale is still supported at the beginning, especially in order to negotiate everything with the brokers and stabilise the structures.

    Many thanks to Fair Styria for their support.

    .. the first transporter is successfully loaded
    .. a lot of administrative work also needs to be prepared
    .. the people responsible in all the villages were given a mobile phone for marketing purposes
    .. the vegetables are collected on the farm
    .. everything is weighed and packed into sacks

    .. the women are proud of their harvest