Many years ago a humanitarian organization came to the small village of Andhikhola, Nepal to help them build a water system. In the end, it never worked. To Mana Suba Bhujel and her family, the ruins of the failed water system in her forgotten village have been a discouraging monument – symbolizing to them (falsely of course) that their community is incapable of doing anything new. “People stopped doing any improvements in the village,” lamented Mana Suba. “They had stopped trusting in themselves.”
This is not an unusual sentiment for rural villagers who have experienced nothing but failure with projects implemented by well-intended but misguided humanitarian organizations. Today, villagers in this community continue to walk 25 minutes each way to reach a polluted stream to fill their water pitchers. With the combined efforts of CHOICE Humanitarian, the village of Andhikhola, and a third partner organized by Jolana White from the UK, this is all about to change.
We are currently working together to build strong community leadership, as well as a functioning community water system for Mana Suba and the village of Andhikhola. CHOICE visited the village to talk about what would be required of the community to build this system.
Mana Suba, despite her shyness, was an inspiration to all the villagers at these meetings. She encouraged the community members to help with the work. “We need to work together. Our one time struggle will relieve us from lifelong drudgery. All the women will work together to make this project successful,” Mana Suba implored. Although cautious and weary, the community agreed to CHOICE Humanitarian’s proposal.
Mana Suba at the village meeting.
CHOICE has designed a new water system and prepared cost estimates for the project. The villager’s participation has been increasing steadily as they become more confident in this project – and themselves. They are carrying construction materials uphill 2 hours, breaking rocks and digging trenches. They dug a trench over 2 miles long through the winding cliffs in just 5 days. At this pace, they will complete the project 3 months ahead of schedule.
The villagers are amazed at their accomplishment. One of the villagers, Ram Krishna Bhujel, said, “Before this project, we never knew that we as a community have such a big strength. We were often looked down upon by neighboring villagers, and were considered mediocre and thus not progressing. I am sure we are not much different than our neighbors, and no less human. We surely could have done better, but we have had no catalyst. Now we have CHOICE as a catalyst.”
Jolana White, who was instrumental in bringing CHOICE to the village, said, “Without CHOICE, it would be very difficult for all of us to complete this water project. CHOICE is an indispensable partner in trying to bring Andhikhola out of the vicious cycle of poverty.”
