Project Compassion Update: The future’s looking bright

Thank you for supporting Project Compassion. Each year we include a number of stories from participants around the world. Although the spotlight is no longer on these communities and individuals, Caritas Australia remains committed to their wellbeing. And Kaluram’s story really is a true testament to the human spirit.

Since 2004, Caritas Australia has supported our partners in one of South Asia’s poorest countries, Nepal. An important program is Caritas Nepal‘s Farmer Field School, as it teaches local farmers about sustainable agricultural practices, how to form Cooperatives, helps them lease land and provides equipment. Kaluram, 33, a local farmer and family man, says thanks to Project Compassion he can now feed and support his family.

“Since Caritas visited, I have purchased tin sheets to improve the roofing of my house and a pair of buffalo to plough my fields and pull the cart. I have also paid old debts from my earnings and able to save money on a monthly basis.

I also have extra social responsibilities – I was elected Chairperson of our Milan Cooperative and Chairperson of the local School Management Board, which raises additional resources for the school and helps to ensure regular, quality education.

The Tharu people have a tradition of electing a Village Elder; this time they have elected me. I help to keep harmony in the village, mobilise people to undertake communal work and celebrate festival events, plus I speak with other communities or government officials on behalf of my community.

Daily life

Our market stall business is running along nicely; we sell vegetables like cucumber, tomato, cucurbit, bottle gourd and chilli from our own farm, as well as our Cooperative group. I planted wheat and vegetables on leased land, and the crop production has been largely satisfactory.

The Cooperative, through providing loans, has been able to help even more poor people. Recently we provided loans to landless peasants (agriculture labourers) to pursue pig-raising as an enterprise.

In August 2010, I began an agriculture material shop, next to our vegetable shop, where I sell organic fertiliser, vegetable seeds, veterinary medicine, crop seeds (wheat, maize and rice) and plant nutrients. The business is going very well and people are happy that we don’t use pesticides.

Our Cooperative has also started showing concern on social and environmental issues. We recently celebrated International Women’s Day, International Children’s Day, and World Environment Day. Our members are very interested in social and environmental issues.

My family

My children – Sushma, Anita and Biplab – are all healthy and growing up well. At school, they study English, and their other courses are in Nepali. I am glad that I’m doing economically better now, as my family has better food and I’m able to buy my children school clothes and books. Sushma wants to be a nurse, while the other two would like to be teachers.

I have less worries now; I’m more confident of providing for my family in the long run, and I’m glad that I can also support my community members. Together we will continue to work for improvement and change.

We thank you for caring for us from so far away. We will continue to work together and help each other more effectively. You have made this possible. God bless you.”