Food for People in Nepal

In the remote, mountainous regions of Nepal, hunger stalks children and adults alike. The area’s high elevations, short growing season, and thin soil make it difficult to produce food crops. The area’s impoverished children often drop out of school early to work in the fields. Happily, things are now changing for the better.

A new beginning in Nepal
Shortly after its opening, news of the successful Food for People (FFP) program in Bantoli, India, reached Nepal. A group of Nepalese citizens, impressed with the results of the program, approached TPRF to discuss building a similar facility in their country. TPRF began working with a local, independent non-profit organization, Premsagar Foundation Nepal (PFN) to coordinate the project. PFN is dedicated to alleviating poverty and improving educational and economic growth in Nepal.

PFN's first task was to find a suitable location for the proposed new facility. Volunteers visited several villages in different parts of Nepal to assess their needs. As a result of this search, they chose to establish the new Food for People center in the village of Tasarpu in the Dhading District near Kathmandu.

Tasarpu was selected for the site because of its central location among seven other villages in the surrounding mountains and its proximity to a school. Community leaders were enthusiastic and willing to help PFN acquire the land and sent a group of local residents to train at the existing facility in Bantoli, India.

A second Food for People program becomes a reality
The Prem Rawat Foundation (TPRF) initially donated $250,000 to build a permanent Food for People facility in Tasarpu. Since opening its doors on April 10, 2009, the new facility has been providing nutritious hot meals daily for approximately 500 children and 100 elderly in Tasarpu and the surrounding villages. PFN is responsible for managing the program.

Results
After only a few months of improved nutrition, the children are already showing significant changes. One staff member pointed out that while the children were originally very thin, passive, and unwilling to talk, they are now gaining weight, as well as becoming more talkative, playful, and better disciplined. Personal grooming and hygiene have also improved.

As was seen in the Bantoli facility, the daily routine of regular meals helps bring structure that enables and encourages the children to attend school. In school and at the facility, they are learning valuable skills that will help them have a brighter future.

A member of the local Social Welfare Council said, “After witnessing the lifestyle of the people of this village and the difficulties they face to make a living, I feel they are most fortunate to have Food for People. This is the only program in Nepal that seeks to provide nutritious food to hundreds of people every day.”

How can I help?
Funding from individuals all around the world has made these Food for People projects possible. Your help can make all the difference to a child, a village, and a community. If you would like to make a donation, you can do so on the Giving page.

The Food for People Initiative Timeline

Prem Rawat talks about Food for People

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