Roots For Life

Category: Cooperative-EN

  • For the second time …

    For the second time …

    … a strategy day was held with those responsible from all 4 villages. In addition to the presentation of last year’s work, the plans for the coming year and much discussion, there was also an opportunity for informal dialogue.

    It is great to see how self-confidence is growing and how the women are getting involved.

    The whole team of Social Work Institute, HASERA and Carola Gosch worked intensively for 2 days.

    Many thanks to all who support this co-operative: Schoeck Family Foundation, Fair Styria and private sponsors.

    .. the 2nd strategy days of the cooperative took place on the model farm in Chyangsar in autumn 2023
    .. the village leaders presented
    .. Results of the discussion were noted down
    .. discussed again and again in small groups
    .. Questions answered, suggestions made

    .. essential points recorded

  • Preparations …

    Preparations …

    … for a good harvest are in full swing in Chyangsar. Some new PGS farmers are getting the plastic for the greenhouse, the compost is being spread, the last winter vegetables are being harvested and, above all, a new kiwi construction should provide good support for the abundant harvest in the coming years.

    Many thanks to our farm manager and the team for their great work and to Schoeck Family Foundation, whose support makes these activities possible.

    .. the kiwis are given a stable framework made of local material
    .. the last winter vegetables are harvested
    .. the compost is ready and being processed
    .. the new plants are already germinating under the straw

    .. the plastic for new farmers is cut and they build the structure themselves

  • Successful …

    Successful …

    … some things can already be sold on the model farm in Ghunsa, which the president keeps a detailed record of. In addition to the production of dried vegetables, the mill and the sale of processed almond, nut and apple trees are the main sources of income ?

    Many thanks to Schoeck Family Foundation for making the operation of the farms possible and to Fair Styria, whose support makes marketing activities possible.

    .. the cooperative’s cash register is ringing ?
    .. grafting the trees is a tricky business
    .. the experts support the women and check the results
    .. the first pumpkins are ready for sale, the next round is being prepared
    .. the mill is heavily used by the women – they no longer have to go to the neighbouring village for it

     

  • Climate change …

    Climate change …

    … in Nepal can be seen, among other things, in heavy rainfall at times when it should have been dry for a long time. This not only makes harvesting much more difficult, our Food Festival was also significantly affected. Nevertheless, it took place and a further 60 women were certified as organic farmers in Kunikhop. During the ceremony, the men cooked for everyone and the rain stopped just in time for the food distribution.

    We would like to congratulate and thank the Schoeck Family Foundation for supporting this project.

    … the women went to the event with large umbrellas for up to 2 hours
    .. it was particularly remarkable how well the women organised and moderated the entire programme themselves
    .. in addition to many speeches, the ceremonial distribution of the shield and certificate
    .. while the men were cooking

    .. fortunately the rain stopped while the food was being distributed

  • Dried pumpkin …

    Dried pumpkin …

    … will be one of the cooperative’s first products to be sold. Whether finely chopped for vegetable stews or as flour for many other recipes, including pumpkin chai latte ?. Many women who previously fed the pumpkin mainly to the animals benefit from the joint production and sale.

    Now everyone is working feverishly on marketing so that customers are enthusiastic about buying the products.

    Many thanks to Fair Styria for supporting us in our marketing activities.

    .. the delivered pumpkins are cut on the model farm
    .. depending on the end product, the pumpkin is prepared larger or smaller for drying
    .. different types of pumpkin and cutting methods are tested and recorded

    .. this is how the solar dryer is fully utilised

  • A highlight …

    A highlight …

    … of the agricultural year is always the “food festival”. Here in Merangding, many new certificates were again distributed for the successful completion of the PGS organic vegetable growing training programme. A total of 180 of the approximately 240 women from the 4 villages are now certified. This should not only increase food security, but also prevent the use of non-biodegradable fertilisers and pesticides.

    We would like to thank the Schoeck Family Foundation for their financial support.

    .. Carola Ggosch and Lena Kremser were already a little exhausted during the long walk to the Food Festival. Kusang Tamang made every effort to motivate them ?
    .. the guests of honour were able to fortify themselves with local delicacies and give ratings
    .. every little vegetable stall was visited and admired
    .. certificates were distributed to around 100 women

    .. there was a “plate chain” for the food distribution ?

  • Hair bands connect …

    Hair bands connect …

    … now also the projects in Solukhumbu and Pokhara. Some girls from the OVN project are learning tailoring. They produce hair bands from leftover fabric. We bought these from them and distributed them to the women and girls in the villages. It was a lot of fun and good business for the seamstresses ?

    .. over 800 hair bands were produced
    .. The basis was material left over from tailoring
    .. it was distributed to the women and girls in the villages
    .. it was happily used at the next opportunity
    .. the girls also like to wear it

    .. for Carola Gosch it is part of the important basic equipment

  • A different kind of training …

    A different kind of training …

    … was completed this year by some women from the agricultural co-operative in Kathmandu. Bookkeeping, co-operative management and financial statements. Unfamiliar and difficult topics for the women. After the training, they were accompanied monthly in the village throughout the year.

    This enabled them to prepare the audit of the cooperative independently for the first time in 2023.

    We would like to congratulate and thank Fair Styria for their support.

    .. a certificate of a different kind ?
    .. lots of numbers to work on paper this time
    .. some of the women were in Kathmandu with children
    .. active cooperation was important
    .. then the “real operation” every month

    .. in every village with our expert

  • Merry Christmas …

    Merry Christmas …

    … to the women and girls of our projects in Nepal and to all our supporters. Together we have achieved a great deal in recent years and the women can be proud of their development.

    We are heading into the next year with great confidence and are convinced that the women will soon be able to overcome their challenges without us.

    A wonderful 2024 to us all.?

  • On site …

    On site …

    … the developments on the model farm could be admired and the next steps discussed. The women reported on what they had learnt and where they faced challenges.

    However, they are increasingly able to take care of these themselves and find good solutions.

    Many thanks to the Schoeck Family Foundation for the financial support in the villages.

    … all the women and the Austrian visitors stand proudly in front of the finished model farm
    .. the fields are continuously planted with mixed crops
    .. reports and discussions are held together in the training hall
    .. vegetables are grown in used sacks next to the fields
    .. harvesting for the evening meal

    .. the joy of the great results is visible for everyone