Interim Report on Self-help Repair and Maintenance Project for Chepangs
A Short Update on Chepang Self-help Project Pre-Implementation Visit 25-27 November
December 3, 2020
FIPMO Annual General Meeting,3 January 2021
January 21, 2021
Background:
Subsequent to earlier pre-implementation field trip to verify the beneficiaries, to see the local condition of the place, to do a market survey, identify the construction items for distribution and negotiate for the same, to make procurement of the construction materials already in advance and store the same in Narayan Ghat, I took the field from 24 December to 28 December to kick-start the FIPMO Self-help Shelter Repair and Maintenance Project for Chepang Families, one of the most marginalized communities in Nepal. Although I have posted a quick summary of the trip on Face-Book, many of those with who I am not a friend on FB and may not know about the initiation of the project I am putting this short Interim Report, especially, for those members, friends, and families who have contributed for the project and also to all FIPMO subscribed members as a copy for their information. I am thankful to Abin Rimall of Prabidhi Labs who had kindly volunteered to accompany and help me during the mission.
About Mission and Its Outcome:
Our distribution was planned in the afternoon of 26th December 2020 at Kali Chaur, Ramirang Danda where all the beneficiaries were supposed to have been gathered. However, due to extremely difficult road conditions, the loaded truck with distribution items got stuck in the middle and we had to offload everything from the truck and arrange a tractor locally to fetch everything that made us possible to reach Kali Chaur only in the evening around 19:30. The distribution could not take place and we had to arrange only for 27th December in the noon.
The support package included:
(a) Colored Corrugated Sheets (0. 40 mm or thickest quality Red Colored distinctly identifiable as FIPMO assistance) according to the size of individual houses;
(b) Plain Sheets for the top;
(c) Nails and Washers as required;
(d) One hammer for each household; and
(e) Two blankets as winterization items to keep warmth, at least, the women and children in the family.
Process Followed:
- The beneficiaries were well briefed about FIPMO its voluntary nature of support being provided with a voluntary contribution by FIPMO members, families, and friends.
- They were reminded about their responsibilities to complete the repair and maintenance of their individual houses in three weeks except for two houses that were being newly constructed will be completed in two months’ time.
- Every single beneficiary were briefed about what they were receiving in terms of quantities and items;
- All of them have signed for the received items and have made their commitment to making the right use of FIPMO assistance to complete their shelter on time.
- Three of the recipients of the support: a community leader, a women beneficiary, and a male beneficiary spoke on behalf of all the beneficiaries and FIPMO assistance was much appreciated;
- All the beneficiaries and accompanied family members looked extremely happy and cheerful with the support received.
Completion of the Project:
The start-up or kick-start of the project is done. However, this first phase of the project will be considered when the houses will be completed by every single beneficiary and verified by the FIPMO mission in two and half months from now.
What was not done as conceptualized in the project description:
Food for work: We have mad Budgetary Status of the Project:
Total project budget = Rs. 634,000
Total Expenditures = Rs. 325,808
Balance: = Rs. 308,192
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Note: The construction materials were negotiated at much lower wholesale price, as a result, we could safe a good amount of funds that could already be used in the second Phase with some small addition only.
e and assumption that we will possibly receive WFP “Food for Work” support for this project. Unfortunately, it was not possible as WFP has no such program in Nepal unlike in many other parts of the world. It was not possible for WFP to support this project although pretty small with other earmarked funds. Despite WFP Staff Welfare Council had considered to support but they could not reach a decision by the time we had to implement the project. Maybe we will approach next time for collaboration when if we will need such support during the second and subsequent phases of our initiative.
Pit Latrine: Very important health related activity for which we had approach Water Aid – Nepal for their possible support. Since Chitawan is not one of the districts that Water Aid – Nepal has entered MOU with Social Services Council, they were unable to provide the support requested by FIPMO. At any rate, they reverted to us with their readiness in providing their technical support anytime to this as well as other FIPMO initiatives in the future. This is much appreciated and we will seek such support if need be there at no cost to us.
Winterization Items: In view of the fact that the location was too cold and during the repair time keeping the women and children under the open roof was much needed. We approached UNHCR for support of blankets but could not obtain such support as we were mentioned by the Representative that they do not have any stock and their support was strictly meant for refugees and IDPs anyways. We managed to procure the blankets for distribution (two big blankets per family) from within the project budget itself.
Appreciation:
This program could not have been accomplished without the invaluable contribution received from FIPMO members, friends and families that is much appreciated. The visibility was given to all contributors to the project.
What will be like the future of this project:
This project will be completed after the reconstruction of houses by beneficiaries. But it has been planned and expected that it will be continued with the second phase and subsequent phases on later stages targeting the same beneficiaries to economically empower the women first and working with other local initiatives together afterwards in a bid to work together in the areas of community development covering various areas within the expertise of FIPMO members where we could chip-in with our bro-bono services.
Budgetary Status of the Project:
Total project budget = Rs. 634,000
Total Expenditures = Rs. 325,808
Balance: = Rs. 308,192
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Note: The construction materials were negotiated at much lower wholesale price,
as a result, we could safe a good amount of funds that could already be used in the
second Phase with some small addition only.
Request for no objections from the Contributors:
Since we plan to use the balance of Rs. 308,192 for the continuation of the project in Second Phase by means of this email would like to request the contributors to kindly confirm that you have no objections to it.
Since I was unable to attach all the pictures, for those who had no access to my Facebook Book, would like to request the FIPMO Website where you could find the same and more on the kick start of our project for desperately needing Chepang families.
Thank you and best regards,
Dr. Surendra Bahadur Panday
Secretary General
Forum of former International Professionals of Multilateral Organizations (FIPMO) – Nepal
