The village we are asking for help is called Aandhimul, situated in the luscious hill regions of Central Nepal 5 hours west of Kathmandu. It is a village of approximately 50 houses, 240 people, and one primary school teaching approximately 60 students from pre-school up to Class 3 (the first 3 years of primary school). The village people are of the same indigenous group, ‘Bhujel’. With approximately 120,000 Bhujels in Nepal, they come from a history of oppression and exploitation, most live in poverty and are illiterate, and it was for these reasons that we have a compassionate desire to give this community a chance to change for the better.

The villagers main occupation is producing bamboo products like rice shakers/separators (Nanglo and Chalno see picture left). Additional livelihoods include farming, day labour and agriculture. Some of the reasons for the production of bamboo products are as follows; (a) They provide a source of revenue (b) In the time of scarcity of food (a barter system) and (c) The bamboo plants and other materials used are easily available.

Although the type of labour mentioned above keeps them working, still, they suffer poverty. Why? In the present, modernization is progressing at a rapid rate. Therefore, people are buying goods that are cheaper than the bamboo products. Especially Nanglo’s, which have very little scope in the market, but the Nanglo’s are being produced in increasing numbers by Bhujel family members. As a result, the families are faced with a lot of hardships. Resulting in limited food supplies, clothes, money, their children’s education suffers and also their health, with no positive signs of development, unless an answer to their problems is found.