Mission 2022: Gisèle Bonnet, Claudine Simonet and Marc Bechet accompanied by Pancha
Marc, Claudine and I travelled to Nepal from 15 to 29 March 2022 on a mission very well prepared in advance by Yadav.

Pancha and Jase accompanied us and Dilu Rai provided the French translation for the various meetings in the village, which was invaluable.

First of all, we were surprised by a marked change in the landscape and geographical organisation of the village.

Dangerous crossing on the runway!
The track that now links Phaplu to Karikola enables people and, above all, goods to be transported, but it has a considerable impact on the landscape!

Numerous houses have been built alongside the road, along with a variety of shops: tea-shops, small grocery shops and lodges. Places that used to be directly accessible from the track are now out of the way.

Layout the runway
Nepal’s new constitution has led to administrative and institutional reform, resulting in a change of organisation in the village: Rapcha is now managed by Ward No. 2 of the Dudhkoshi Rural Municipality (or Mapya Municipality).

We met Mayor Asherman and several of his deputies on several occasions. He was present during several visits (to the dispensary, to the farm) and our discussions with him were rich and very open.In the 4 schools, the welcome was warm and touching, with more flower necklaces than our necks could hold…

Meeting at Bodu's school.
The teams we met, headmasters and teachers, seemed dynamic and motivated: they want their schools to develop, even if the number of pupils is falling (lower birth rate). Most of them are young and from the village or surrounding area: they came back to teach after their studies in Kathmandu!

The small schools at Bodu and Rimku, which cater for the younger children, lack equipment and teaching materials. At the Thulodhunga school, the teachers would like to have computer equipment… but the headmaster is asking us above all to maintain the support for the teacher’s salary that ANUVAM has been paying since this year.

The large school in Basakhali is well equipped (computer room, documentation room and library) but still lacks the salary of a science teacher: a request has been made for ANUVAM to cover this: €4,000 / year.

This school would like to integrate the higher level classes (classes 11 and 12) with teaching in agricultural technology.

Rimku school.
Meeting in Basakhali.
Meeting at Bodu's school.
At the dispensary, we were welcomed by the medical team (Suku Bari and Raj Kumar), who showed us around and explained how things worked. The mayor and deputy mayor were present, as were several villagers.

We had a lively discussion, and it emerged that we would welcome help in purchasing medicines to supplement those supplied by the government. Anuvam therefore continues to budget €500 per year.

Moulin à céréales.
After giving us a tour of the grain mill, Nirmal Magar and his team gave us a warm and friendly welcome to the Thulodhunga organic farm. They proudly showed us around the pheasant, laying hen and broiler farms, as well as the incubators and brooders for the chicks.

The pig farm is just getting under way, with only the 2 males already installed. We also visited the 9 greenhouses, which occupy part of the farm’s 3 hectares and enable a number of vegetables to be produced in advance of the season. All the crops are grown without chemical fertilisers or pesticides.

La ferme: élevage de faisans.
La ferme: cultures sous serre.
La ferme: élevage de porcs.
After a good Dal bat with pheasant meat, we had a very interesting meeting during which Nirmal gave us a few cash flow details and explained the educational approach with the inhabitants and pupils of the Thulodhunga school. He also explained the commercial approach planned to sell their production.

The team is currently considering the construction of an oil mill to meet the needs of the villagers (scarcity and rise in the price of oil given the current economic situation), but this would be a very large investment and would require outside help…

This young farming team is highly motivated and dynamic, and seems to have a good grasp of crops and livestock. Starting up the farm was not easy in the context of the Covid pandemic, but good results have already been obtained, which augurs well for development in the years to come if the health and economic situation becomes favourable again.During these ten days in the village, Sokal, who welcomed us in and around his house, was a very attentive host, and his cooking was of excellent quality! The atmosphere was joyful with all his family and that of Kumar, his neighbour and assistant. Many villagers greeted us as we wandered through the village, and Marc received many expressions of friendship…Even if the needs for the development of the village far exceed the means of an association like ours (water supply, electrification, development and improvement of the track, etc.), our support and helping hand remain precious in the eyes of our friends and this continues to justify the existence of ANUVAM.

Consult the mission report in the members’ area

Gisèle Bonnet, Présidente d'ANUVAM
Gisèle Bonnet, Chairman.