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Exposure Visit for Bangladeshi and Sri-Lankan Project Partners
Heifer Nepal believes that experience and knowledge does a greater good when shared and is a frequent host to many visitors from all over the world. The countries of Asia like India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Nepal share a common overbearing problem of poverty made worse by assortment of similar agitators like politics, natural disasters and lack of education. Sri-Lanka on the other hand struggles to survive the brutal aftermath of the 2004 tsunami.
Heifer project partners Jagorani Chakra Foundation, Wave Foundation and Poly Vikas Kendra from Bangladesh and Savia Development Foundation form Sri-Lanka visited project areas of Nepal from 12-19 January 2010. They met with project participants of Nuwakot, Tanahu and Chitwan. Sharing meetings were also held with project partners CARDSN and BIRD- Nepal. The impacts of Heifer projects in Nepal and the experience of the project partners created the ideal learning grounds for the new partners of Bangladesh and Sri-Lanaka. The NGO directors, program coordinators and community facilitators had a fruitful dialogue with their respective counterparts from Nepal. The celebrations of the Passing on the Gift Ceremony at Lama tole, Nuwakot lifted the spirits of both the guests and those hosting the event. Ahmad Shukur of Wave Foundation said, “If we had not come to Nepal we would not have believed that such outcome is possible. The belief that Heifer Nepal and its project partners have in their project participants is inspirational. And the participants have also battled all obstacles to achieve their vision for themselves. I also admire how they celebrate the pass-on like a big festival.”
“These exposure visits are very important for both project partners and participants. Stories can never make-up for an experience. An opportunity to see that other countries and communities battle the same demons of poverty that engulfs them binds them together. Seeing communities like theirs work hard to overcome poverty through ingenious ways of income generation and awareness raising can be very inspirational,” says Sagun Bista, the External Programs Manager for Heifer Nepal.
Heifer projects in Bangladesh, Sri-Lanka and Pakistan where it does not have country office are overseen by Heifer Nepal’s external programs division.
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