Upper Karnali

The community service programs of GMRVF in Upper Karnali started in the later part of 2008-09. Currently, the work of the Foundation is concentrated mainly in 3 Village Development Committees (VDCs) - Saattale and Laiti-Bindrasaini in Dailekh District and Bhairavsthan in Achham District. These areas are some of the under-developed areas in Nepal. The total population of the Saattale, Laiti-bindrasaini and Bhairavsthan VDCs are 7056, 5885 and 3486 and literacy rates are 37.15%, 37.04% and 36.14% respectively. Inadequacy of health facilities, low agricultural productivity and huge out-migration are some of the issues plaguing the area.

Education
To promote better early childhood development, the Foundation is running two Balwadis, one in village Dab and the other in village Ramagad. The Foundation has constructed the centres and provided the teachers. At present 60 children are enrolled in these two Balwadis. Foundation is also working with 6 Child Care Centers (CCC) supported by the VDCs to strengthen the early childhood development in them; these services reach out to 200 children. The Foundation is constructing the CCC at villages Lopde and Suvacheda of Bhairavsthan VDC.

GMRVF also closely works with 9 schools in the area. It has established a library in the Thalpata High School and is constructing the primary school at Tallo Thapata village of Bhairavthan VDC. Foundation provides Teaching Learning Materials and Sports items to the CCCs and to the schools it is working with. These initiatives directly impact around 2000 children.

Health, Hygiene and Sanitation
To provide better primary health care, Foundation is running a Health Post at village Ramagad. This government approved centre provides health services to more than 400 patients per month. Health Camps and Health Awareness Programs are organized in collaboration with NGOs. Continuous awareness generation is facilitated through various community-based platforms. To overcome the problem of carrying patients from the villages from the hills to the health post, the Foundation has provided stretchers to the Self Help Groups of those villages. Orientation on primary health care and the use of the health kits has been given by the Foundation to SHG members and school children.

Empowerment and Livelihoods
The Foundation has facilitated the formation of 20 SHGs with 410 members in the location. The SHGs are being supported by the Foundation to manage their savings and record keeping. Through the women adult education centre, the Foundation is trying to increase the level of literacy among women, apart from raising awareness on social issues. Youth and children’s groups have been formed and supported by the Foundation to take up social and cultural events. Sports competitions are regularly organized with the youth. Regular meetings are conducted with the VDCs and other community groups like Sarokar Samitis, School Management Committees etc to work on different social issues.