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Heifer Nepal Renews Agreement with Social Welfare Council
On January 6th, 2010 Heifer International Nepal signed a general agreement with the Social Welfare Council (SWC), a governing body for national and international non-profit organizations working in Nepal. Dr. Shubh N. Mahato, the Country Director of Heifer International Nepal and Dr. Chhewang N. Lama Sherpa, the Member Secretary of the Social Welfare Council signed the document. As a prerequisite for the renewal of the contract, an evaluation of the impacts of Heifer’s work in Nepal for five year period was done by an independent panel consisting of scientists, government officials and representatives of SWC. The study was conducted in September 2009. The specific objectives were; to evaluate the program, administrative and financial effectiveness, effectiveness towards the objectives and goals, and to examine the compliance in accordance with the prevailing rules and regulations of the country. An evaluation report was submitted to the SWC and the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare of the Government of Nepal.
Netra Prasad Osti, the evaluation team leader said, “Heifer’s projects are very need based. The resource poor need a program that is multi-focused. So the various components like livestock, agriculture, micro-credit and training is the ideal for battling the various aspects poverty. I see a need for improving the breeds of livestock and support for feed and fodder. I also see very strong indications of sustainability in Heifer’s projects through Passing on the Gift practice. I saw a tharu woman trained and working as a Community Animal Health Worker (CAHW) in a project in Bardiya. Such instances are strong indicators of success especially in the oppressed and backward communities of Nepal.” Netra Prasad Osti is a Senior Scientist in National Agriculture Research Center with specialization in Animal Nutrition.
Udaya Chandra Thakur, who is a specialist in poultry husbandry and has served in the Department of Livestock Services (DLS) and its various district offices for more than 30 years expressed his views as a part of the evaluation team. He said, “Heifer‘s strongest aspect is social mobilization which we realize is the DLS’s weakest aspect. I worked as a District Livestock Service Office chief in Sarlahi district and have launched many livestock projects. But the impacts that Heifer has brought in the same areas have overwhelmed us. Integrated approach is what Nepal needs to alleviate poverty. Heifer has been working in this approach for many years and has had considerable success. We are motivated to incorporate this approach in the governments’ projects also. There is more demand for such projects than there is supply. I strongly encourage coordination with line agencies like the DLS for greater effectiveness and efficiency. All of us work for the better future for the nation, so we should shake hands and work together.”
This is Heifer’s fourth general agreement with the Social Welfare Council valid for the next five years.
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