Let's take a look at the " Dalit Micro Enterprise Project " run by USC Nepal through its local partner NGO " Dalit Welfare Organization" Kohalpur Banke.

I would like to share with you that the project fund we are supporting is very small compared to other donors because USCN follows a capacity and local resource based development, planning, and implementation approach. The supports we provide are for areas where the Dalit communities lack in development.  The support we are able to give is not big compared to other NGO/INGOs (International NGOs). We help with amounts that the communities can use by themselves.

The funding support for each year, on average,  does not exceed Rs. 200,000 (C$3,018).  The project serves the development needs of more than 2,100 Dalits in 450 households.

All funds used for the Dalit communities went directly for the development of the rural Dalit community, not to city based Dalits.  The poor Dalit communities are directly benefiting from the project.  The major project achievements are:

4    69 tube wells were installed, benefiting 2,080 Dalits of 416 households by providing drinking water facilities. These facilities decrease water borne disease in the areas they serve and show an improvement in the health mostly in children and women. Wastewater is used for vegetable gardening. We would like to assure  that all funds have been used  properly. There is no misuse of the funds. The careful use of funds has further helped to increase their income.    

4    165 women are now literate.

4    65 farmers are involved in vegetable production; 15 are entrepreneurs. They are earning more than Rs.  5,000 (C$75) each month by selling vegetables.

4    13 savings and credit groups of 450 (60%F) running at the village. Their deposit is Rs. 171, 500 (C$2,598) of which 90% is invested in rural economic activities.  It helped to promote economic and employment opportunities for Dalits at rural areas.

4    24 farmers were trained in different economic enterprises - of them, 20 (15F) are involved in different in micro enterprises. They are rickshaw pullers, small grocery shop owners, tailors, iron workers, work with livestock, etc. They all are making good income for their survival before which they were not.  

The major impacts of the project are an increased income in Dalit communities, reduced illiteracy rates, increased employment and personal income, etc. All these have helped to reduce the social discrimination and exploitation of these Dalits and that helps them get the recognition of the community.

(This letter has been edited.)

GOTO full Report on work with Dalits from 2001 - 2006 by USC Nepal.

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