A Christmas Message from the NAFA President

Dear NAFA Supporters,

Deb and I have recently returned from a two-week NAFA Executive visit to Nepal. In my role as President, and with Deb’s focus on Project and Program Research and Evaluation, we are always excited to see the progress being made by NAFA-funded initiatives. I will report in detail at NAFA’s December Management Meeting, and of course in my 2024 President’s Report. We are continuously reminded, and justifiably proud, of the immense contribution made by NAFA’s enthusiastic supporters and the generosity that makes NAFA’s work achievable.

At this festive time of the year people often ask how they can make a financial donation that will directly benefit the life of someone less fortunate than themselves. For those who find the magic of Christmas in the act of giving, we encourage you to make a donation to NAFA. Any donation, large or small, will be gratefully received. Remember, donations are tax-deductible and 100% of donations go directly to NAFA-supported projects in Nepal.

From our visit, two of our ongoing projects stood out. Both of these projects have already proved successful in their own way, but each of them would benefit immensely from some additional financial support. We wholeheartedly endorse them and believe that they are worthy of sharing the focus of the NAFA Christmas Appeal for 2024:

  • The fit-out of the New Sungava Home for Young Women with an Intellectual Disability

  • The expansion of the Irrigation System for the Pasang Chowk Agricultural Cooperative

The fit-out of the New Sungava Home for Young Women with an Intellectual Disability

Sungava is unique in Nepal as a family support program for young women suffering from intellectual disability. The program provides life skills and vocational training to approximately twenty young women each day. Attendance at the home has doubled since the purchase of an e-van earlier this year, largely funded by NAFA and a consortium of Nepalese Canadian charities.

A new home for Sungava is currently under construction after the previous home was severely damaged by the 2015 earthquake. The outside structure of the three-story home has been funded to date by the local Rural Municipality. The Sungava Board is hoping that a further allocation in July 2025 will be made by the Municipality to complete the interior and the landscaping. Once completed, it is projected that Sungava will be able to support an additional 10-15 young women, with the main constraint to further growth being staff costs.

We are now seeking donations to help fund the fitting out of the home. Fit-out plans include establishing two income-earning businesses: a bakery and liquid soap-making which are aimed at supporting the financial sustainability of Sungava Home into the future.

The expansion of the Irrigation System for the Pasang Chowk Agricultural Cooperative

Following the devastating Tawal earthquakes of 2015, NAFA and a Queensland-based philanthropist funded the re-establishment of an Agricultural Cooperative that had been set up by local villagers two years earlier. Initial funding was provided to support the purchase of seeds that helped the Cooperative establish a new industry producing coffee-beans. Last year, NAFA funded the purchase of 1,500 avocado plants to provide shade for the coffee plants and an additional source of income for members of the Cooperative.

The 2024 harvest brought in 4,500 kgs of coffee beans, which was three times that of the previous year, and the entire harvest was sold to a buyer in Kathmandu. The Cooperative leaders believe that coffee is their future and they aspire to become one of the best coffee-growing areas of Nepal. It is estimated that only about 10% of the area’s land has so far been planted out with coffee plants and farmers believe that further growth in coffee bean production is being constrained by the lack of irrigation pipes and shade.

This already successful industry can be scaled up if the irrigation system is expanded. An expanded irrigation and shade program, funded through a partnership involving NAFA, the Nepal Government and local farmers will significantly increase the capacity of the area to grow coffee and avocados. This initiative will strengthen the sustainability of the Agricultural Cooperative and the farmers long-term income. Furthermore, it will help the Cooperative achieve its goal of being independent of NAFA support by 2028.

If you would like to contribute to NAFA’s 2024 Christmas Appeal by making a donation towards either of the above programs please follow the links below. Alternatively, you can of course spread your donation across both programs if you wish.

Thank you for your continued support. We hope you have a great holiday season and wish you a happy and healthy year ahead.

Kind Regards,
Rod Setterlund OAM
NAFA President