From September 25 to 30, a team of four Amics staff visited Timang, Manang to conduct a feasibility study for the upcoming Himalayan Economic Upliftment (HEU) project, scheduled to begin in February 2025. The visit had several key objectives: to understand the needs of the women beneficiaries of the HEU project, assess the need for school collaboration and teacher training at Gauri Shankar Basic School, identify potential sites for greenhouse installations, and form a local committee of volunteers to support the project. Additionally, the team aimed to explore collaboration possibilities with the youth of Lokpriya Secondary School in Chame, Manang.
A three-day art and communication workshop was held with the HEU women beneficiaries of Timang to assess their needs and understand their economic aspirations. Through art, the women expressed their desires and goals, providing valuable insights into how the project’s objectives could align with their personal ambitions. This interactive platform helped both Amics staff and the beneficiaries identify areas of common interest and differences which will help the team to further plan and design the need based livelihood project.
Simultaneously, a three-day workshop on climate change was conducted at Gauri Shankar Basic School in Timang for students in grades 7 and 8. The workshop covered the basics of climate change, its effects on the planet, and practical ways to reduce carbon footprints. In addition, the workshop doubled as a teacher training session, with eight teachers actively participating and providing feedback. During this visit, the team also identified locations for a greenhouse installation at the school which is expected to reduce the school’s operational costs in the long run.
Furthermore, a one-day agriculture workshop was organized for grade 11 agriculture students at Lokpriya Secondary School in Chame, headquarter of Manang. The workshop focused on different types of seeds, their cultivation processes in Nepal, and the construction of a greenhouse model. It also provided an opportunity to discuss potential future collaborations with the students. Similarly, the Amics team held a meeting with the Mayor of Chame Rural Municipality to explore future collaboration between the municipality and Amics for the successful launch of the HEU project.
The feasibility study in Manang proved to be a vital step in preparing for the successful implementation of the HEU project. The project’s needs assessments are culturally responsive, and create an inclusive platform wherein by engaging directly with its targeted beneficiaries, Amics has gathered critical information about local needs and opportunities. More visits are planned in the upcoming months to conclude on the plans for the projects’ implementation to take place in February 2025.
This project is possible thanks to the support of all the members of Amics del Nepal and the collaborating partners:
