“New life for Tamang Community of Digam"
Background and Relevancy of the Project:
Tamang community is one of the excluded ethnic groups of Nepal mostly living in the
surrounding hilly area. Population Censes of 2011 showed the total population of Nepal is
26494504 and out of that Tamang population is 1,539,830. Highest population of Tamang is in
Sindhuli, Nuwakot, Rasuwa, Dhading, Makwanpur, Sindhupalchowk and Kavrepalanchwok
Districts.
Digam village which is in Nuwakot is approximately 32 km. North East from Kathmandu where 99 per
cent people are Tamang. They are mostly depended on traditional agriculture which barely supports their
livelihood for 5 to 6 months. Working adults are forced to temporarily migrate within and outside the
country as labours, potters, domestic helpers etc.; hence the village remains with only children and elderly
people. It is found out that some of the young returnees/workers died due to HIV/AIDS. Generally,
Tamang community of Digam village faces problems as:
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Child Labour, Early Marriage, Late-enrollment and School Drop-Out
Education facilities
No Sanitation facilities (house toilet)
No Health post
No Electricity
Lack of awareness on environmental conservation
Education and Sanitation:
In March 2007and October 2013, TRT had conducted primary survey on educational situation of
Tamang community of Talakhu-Devisthan- Digam, Thalakhara Nuwakot, Ichangu Narayan,
Kathmandu, and Thakani VDC of Sindhupalchowk district. It is found that there were high rate
child domestic workers, very less enrollment, high rate of school-drop-outs and majority of
illiterate parents. Main reasons found are; the community school is nearly 2 hours walking
distance and lack of parental awareness on importance of education. High rate of early child
marriage and child birth is another existing situation of that village including non existence of
household sanitation facilities.
Health:
Unlike education and sanitation facilities, Digam villagers do not have the access of easy health
services. They have to travel Kathmandu (9 hrs walk) even for a minor treatment which is not
possible for all because of poverty and easy accessibility. As a result people die even with
simple illness. Some examples;
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A woman of 45 years of age died due to typhoid (6 months back in 2013).
An old woman of 84 years cries every minute asking for medicine for her stomach pain
since a year (2012).
A man of 68 years is about to lose his both the legs due to infection.
Women are also suffering from uterus prolapsed.
Some of the Gulf Migrate Returnees suffer from mental illness.
The mentioned issues of said Tamang community are considered to be relevant to launch a
project on literacy classes, sanitation and hygiene program, health camp, construction of
community house, preserving conservation, and implementation of income generating schemes
through community participation.
Project Plan
The proposed project will be of II Phases (2 years) where Phase I (1 year) will be on Focusing
on Literacy Program, motivating to construct household sanitation (toilets) along with
construction of community house though community participation.
Activities of Phase I
1. Initial management of the project activities, identifying and selecting individuals of
Tamang communities Digam village, Focus Group Discussion (FGD) stakeholders and
creating network with the local bodies and relevant institutions.
2. Formation of local community user group as Community Based Social Organization
(CBSO).
3. Motivate user group to construct sanitation (toilets) using local and purchased materials.
4. Launch literacy classes covering people of all age groups including minority.
5. First Aid Orientation
6. Transfer of land ownership to the community user group to build a Community House.
7. Construct 3 rooms with one toilet Community House that will be used as a literacy
classroom and a meeting hall/ritual programs.
8. Half and Yearly Report of the project.
Outcome from the project:
1. Reduction of School- drop-out and early marriage.
2. Community people will be able to read and write from the literacy classes.
3. Community people will be more aware on health and hygiene.
4. Construction of Community House which will ultimately reduce tree cutting and help to
preserve environment.
5. Each household will have their own toilet.
6. Establishment of Community Based Social Organization for the sustainability of the
program.
Note: Almost 250 people of Digam village will benefit from the project.
TRT will submit Half and Yearly Report of the project.
Tentative Phase I Budget is attached in annex I
Phase II
Phase II will be covered following activities:
1. Continuation of literacy class.
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Organize Health Camp.
Initiation for First Aid Training Program for the local people by the local people.
Organize to set up agro-tourism based cooperatives and income generating program.
Empower and strengthen user community to sustain implemented projects.