Dear sponsors and friends
You already knew that our foundation, with all the help and support we receive, has achieved quite a lot in Nepal.
But sometimes stories from the area around Sailung really hit home. Personal stories, which speak of the strength of people who take their fate into their own hands. And come on... A little help from us!
Below are 2 of those stories. They are, almost casually, in an interim report on the agricultural project that we received from our partner ISARD. As you know, ISARD has been guiding local farmers for a number of years to make their agricultural methods more economically viable and sustainable. And their assortment more diverse. It is therefore logical that reports always concern the number of participants, the construction of greenhouses, the harvests, the results of the various courses, etc.
That is precisely why we find these two stories fascinating and in-depth, because they show what the agricultural project, with our support, means in the lives of the people in Sailung.
CASE STORY 1: From survival to change agent
Name: Nitra Kumari BK
Age: 66
Location: Shailung, –08
Family members: 8
Farmer's group: Parivartanshil Krishak Group
Nitra Kumari BK, a 66-year-old Dalit woman* from Sailung, Dolakha’s farming district, has shown great resilience after losing her husband and youngest son. She cares for a large family, including a mentally ill son and a visually impaired child, while battling poverty, debt and the aftermath of an earthquake.
'* About 13–20% of the population belongs to the Dalit community, historically the 'untouchables' in the Hindu caste system.
They are at the bottom of the social hierarchy, economically marginalized and experience structural exclusion from education, land ownership, work and public spaces.
Since 1963, caste discrimination has been legally prohibited;
To support her family, she engaged in subsistence farming and daily wage work, focusing on potato and cauliflower cultivation. Initially, she was not affiliated with any of the local farmer groups under the AGRICOSh project. However, she later joined the ISARD extension program for Dalits, marginalized groups and single women. Through this program, she received a female goat and became a member of the Parivartanshil Krishak Samuha group.
With continued support in farming, she transitioned to commercial farming of high value-added crops. She now earns between NPR 50,000 and 1 lakh [€350 and €700] annually from crops, and between NPR 25,000 and 35,000 from selling goats. Her journey reflects strength and determination, and she is now a proud example of how single women can thrive with the right support.
With her newfound confidence, she began mentoring other women in her village, especially single mothers and widows. She encourages them to break free from dependency and believe in their own potential. She shares her story openly in community meetings and motivates others to join farming groups, embrace new techniques and overcome discrimination.
Her life stands as a powerful testament that, with resilience and the right support, even those who have faced exclusion and adversity can not only rebuild their lives—but also become a source of hope and empowerment for others.
CASE STORY 2: Building Hope in the Fatherland
Name: Shyam Shrestha
Age: 36
Location: Shailung‑08
Family members: 4
Farmer group: Hariyali Krishak Samuha
Shyam Shrestha was born into a simple farming family. He was educated up to Grade 5 (equivalent to Grade 7) at the local primary school. As the eldest son, he had to take on responsibility early, which led to his early marriage and eventual dropout. With the need to support his large family and little land, he struggled to make ends meet through family farming and daily wage work. To supplement the family income, he even rented additional land on annual lease.
In 2013, Shyam moved away from the family with his wife and two children. The 2015 earthquake severely damaged his home, leaving him in debt. Although he tried to go abroad to work, repeated visa rejections kept him in the village. Determined to improve his situation, he turned to agriculture and started growing vegetables such as potatoes and cauliflower. Realizing that he needed technical skills, he immediately joined the agricultural program being launched by the Ton Memorial Foundation through ISARD in late 2023. With his wife, who joined a local farmers’ group, Shyam trained in oyster mushroom cultivation and built a polytunnel, earning an additional NPR 15,000–18,000 [€100–120] in a single harvest. Two to three harvests can be achieved per year. Encouraged by this success, he expanded into tomato and chili pepper cultivation. With continued support, he now grows multiple high value crops and earns between NPR 200,000 and NPR 300,000 annually. [€1350 – €2000]
Today, as a proud father of two school-age children, he has become a role model in his community. At a time when many are migrating abroad, his story proves that with resilience, dedication and the right support, it is possible to build a fulfilling life at home in the village, close to family and in the country of birth, Nepal.
On behalf of the Sailung community and board.
we wish you a wonderful summer!
With your support they will continue.
