- Name of the NGO :- The Himalayan Innovative Society (THIS)
- Address : - GPO 8975,EPC 4161, Maharajgunj,Kathmandu, Nepal.
- Contact person :-Dhan Bahadur Lama (Director)
- Telephone No :–01-4435221
- Email: thisngonepal@gmail.com
- Details of Project:-
Vision & mission
THIS envisions a society in which people are able to make informed choices for positive change based on understanding of how their social and physical environment affects their lives. To move towards this vision, THIS’ mission is to facilitate a bottom-up approach with full participation of the local people in order to bring a balanced social reform by maximum use of local human-power and resources.
Goal
In the long run, THIS is working towards the goal of a healthy, knowledgeable, and educated population, with a decent living standard in the Mid Western Region of Nepal.
Objectives
In order to reach the abovementioned goal, THIS has set itself the following objectives:
New opportunities for most disadvantaged and poor people to improve their lives & well being through:
- Improved and expanded services in the sector of Health and Education, including the necessary awareness among target groups.
- Improved social development including awareness on human rights and peace and support for the victims of natural disasters and other conflicts.
- Preservation and better use of nature and cultural heritage through sustainable tourism
- Improved income generation opportunities, including agriculture, livestock, and the possibility to undertake activities so that profit can support other development activities.
- Run children's home, transit homes and family reunification of trafficked and displaced children
- NGO Registration (district adm.office):- Kathmandu
- Reg. No. 459/059/060
- Date:- 2059/09/26 (10thJanuary 2003)
- Date of last renewal:
- Date of last audit : -
- SWC Affiliation No.:- 14304
- Working area:-Humla and Mid western region of Humla
- Target Beneficiaries: -Women and children of Deprived communities from remote area
December, 2003:
The inception of The Himalayan Innovative Society (THIS ) started when two people from one of the remotest areas of Nepal, the district of Humla – also called the “Hidden Himalayas” decided that it was time to take on responsibility and leadership in promoting a healthy development in their home area. After working for years in an organization run by outsiders, DB Lama and Babita Lama had concluded that the lives of the people of Humla and the whole Karnali would not change sufficiently if outsiders were to keep on taking the initiatives and decisions. They took the courage, left their jobs and were determined to start THIS .
On the other hand the country was running in the middle of the Maoist insurgency. It was a tough time even for well established organizations. It was near to impossible to imagine starting a new organization which had to start from scratch. It was not only difficult to get funding but also to implement projects in the grass root level and deliver the services to the target communities. It was the time of fighting between survival and death for small organizations like THIS .
But Babita and DB accepted to bear all the challenges ahead, whatever cost they had to pay in order to become a source of hope for their people who were living in deep rooted poverty, inadequate health services and insufficient and basic educational infrastructure. They decided to move forward in order to help their people no matter how. It was definitely like jumping in the fire due to the political situation, choosing a remote area as its working area and especially for a new organization wanting to work closely with the community people but they did it.
They decided to work in Humla first as they have won the trust of the community people while working with the other organization they worked for. They decided to use their experience, potentials and possible opportunities by the help of friends that they knew so far. They did not have any contact in government and NGO world as they came from a backward community which never got opportunities in government services. It was absolutely a tough decision by Babita and DB.
They proceeded to register a new NGO………….
January, 2003:
The Himalayan Innovative Society (THIS) is a non-governmental, non-profitable organization that does not discriminate according to caste, religion, sex, age, colour and politics.
It was established in January 2003 with the motive to help and serve the deprived communities and the people of Humla and Mid-Western Region of Nepal in the sector of Education, Health, Tourism, and Human Rights.
The aim of establishment was to bring about a balanced social reform through a "bottom up" approach in Humla, with full participation of local people in making informed choices about the development of the region by maximum use of local human power and resources.
THIS is registered in the District Administration Office, Kathmandu, following Section (4) of Association Registration Act 2034 B.S., registration number 459/059/060 B.S. THIS is also affiliated with the Social Welfare Council following Section 13 of the Social Welfare Council Act 2049 B.S., affiliation number 14304 and is registered with the NGO Federation Nepal, registration number 159.
After the completion of official establishment of THIS , DB and Babita contacted their friends abroad by email and post, visited people suggested by their friends and friends of friends. After 8 months of constant effort they were fortunate to receive a grant from UNESCO Kathmandu for Community Learning Centre (CLC) Project.
PARTNESHIP WITH UNESCO KATHMANDU
August, 2003:
Community Learning Centres Project:
Community Learning Centre (CLC) Project under the financial support from UNESCO-Kathmandu under the United Nations Trust Fund for Human Security (UNTFHS) was THIS 's first project and also first opportunity to work with an UN body. DB and Babita decided to work in this project for half salary (Rs.9000.00 per person) one in Kathmandu and one in Humla by representing The Himalayan Innovative Society (THIS ). They worked very closely with the community people to establish CLCs in 4 VDCs of Humla. They provided various kinds of trainings to the CLC members and mother groups.
THIS supported community Learning Centre in 6 different areas such as:
- Education and Communication
- Women Empowerment and Awareness
- Culture, Heritage and Tourism Development
- Income Generation and Skill Development
- Community Infrastructure Development
- Networking, coordination and organizational Development of CLCs
Ø Till the end of December 2005, THIS and its staff worked with all their energy and skills and worked closely with the community people.
Ø THIS produced a booklet, DVD and Audio cassette on Traditional Humli Dances called "Mystique Dances from the Hidden Himalaya". DB spent time writing articles by collecting information from local leaders and elderly people, capturing the dances at the time of Community Learning Centre Level Dance Competition on the occasion of International Cultural Heritage Day on 21st May 2005.
Ø District Education Office, Humla honored THIS with an Appraisal lette
Ø Cook training for the teashop owners of Simikot to enhance the skill in cooking on Continental and Indian dishes under financial support from Marjan Rens Foundation, Netherlands.
v Amongst 3 Districts of Mid and Far western regions of Nepal (Doti Dadeldhura and Humla) of UNESCO’s CLC Project, Humla was the best district to accomplish the project activities and achieve the project goal.
October, 2003:
Scholarships and SLC Tuition Classes:
Friends of DB and Babita who had visited Nepal proposed to support THIS. Among them friend, Hugh Mckay from Scotland promised to help for Scholarships to children and Barbara Aplington from the USA promised to support for Free SLC Tuition for Humli children in Science, Mathematics and English the subjects that were considered as most difficult subject to get through in SLC Exams "The Iron Gate". These supports were very small in amount but it was the source of encouragement for DB and Babita to work hard and an example of true friendship, "A friend in need is a friend indeed".
Ø Since then these two projects have been continuously helping girls and Dalit children to pass SLC. It is our pleasure to mention that since then the number of students passing SLC increased every year. These projects have been very famous among the school children in Humla.
Participation in international level Workshops:
After the successful implementation of CLC project in Humla, THIS had no projects for 9 months and DB used this time for production of THIS ' brochure and website in order to promote THIS towards potential funding partners. During this time, DB and Babita were looking for opportunities to develop different kinds of activities. THIS was provided the opportunity to participate in the workshop on the "Democratic Essentials Summit" on July 25 – 27, 2006 at Park village Resort, Kathmandu, organized jointly by CM Partners, Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice, San Diego and SAP-Nepal.
Later Babita participated in a great platform for Women Leaders, “Who’s making policy? What difference does it make?” convened by the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice (IPJ) and the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) for the period of October 18-20, 2006 at the Institute for Peace and Justice at the University of San Diego, San Diego, CA. .
PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ISIS FOUNDATION
November, 2006-2010
ISIS Family connection and Repatriation Project:
In November, 2006, another great opportunity in the history of 3 years of work in Humla was to get involved in the “Family Connection and Repatriation project” for trafficked children from Humla and 7 other districts of the Mid-western region of Nepal with support from the ISIS Foundation. THIS was engaged with this project till December, 2010. Within this period, THIS carried out the following process to reconnect the children with their family of origin:
- Homes were established for 136 children rescued from dilapidated and irresponsible orphanages.
- Interview trafficked children to identify where they have come from
- Visit Humla and other districts to trace the parents and relatives of these kids
- Sharing letters, photos and videos both with parents and children
- Interview with parents on how, why and who were involved in trafficking these children as well as assessment on economic, security, educational and health situation of the family
- Frequent visit to children's home and parents to make sure that both the child and parents are aware of recent developments and to create the bondage of love and affection
- Efforts to reunite and repatriate the kids once the parents agreed take their children back.
- By the end of July 2010, THIS successfully repatriated 1 kid with his parents and reintegrated 7 children from other districts apart from Humla near their parents with educational support.
- All the Humli children are provided educational support to go to boarding Schools in Kathmandu.
- In December 2010, Family Reconnection and Repatriation will be phased out. THIS and ISIS will have new contract for educational support project in Humla for Single mother children.
January, 2011-2013
Children at Risk Project, Humla
The ISIS Foundation and The Himalayan Innovative Society have agreed to have a partnership of equality, mutual respect, mutual learning, honesty and transparency for the year 2011-2013 to work on an Educational Support project for Single mother children (Tima):
The specific objectives for this Project are:
- To assist marginalized Humli children from single parent families to get an education in Humla;
- To link the ISIS children with their families of origin in Humla; and
- To reduce the incidence of child trafficking in Humla.
The target beneficiaries are children of Humla. In particular three groups:
- Illegitimate children in Humla without paternal identification who are not accepted by society as citizens.
- The 136 trafficked ISIS children in care in Kathmandu or repatriated back to families in Humla or Nepalgunj.
- Children at risk of being trafficked out of Humla to Kathmandu or out of the country.
Recently we have come to consensus to conduct educational support project for the single mother children in Humla from January, 2014 to 2016. It is continuation of educational support for 53 children and more.
January, 2014-2016
Children at Risk Project, Humla
Adara Development Nepal (then The ISIS Foundation) and The Himalayan Innovative Society have agreed to have a partnership of equality, mutual respect, mutual learning, honesty and transparency for the year 2014-2016 to work on an Educational Support project for Single mother children (Tima):
The specific objectives for this Project are:
- To assist marginalized Humli children from single parent families to get an education in Humla;
- To link the ISIS children with their families of origin in Humla; and
- To reduce the incidence of child trafficking in Humla through FM Radio programme
PARTNERSHIP WITH NEXT GENERATION NEPAL
February, 2007-22nd May, 2012
NGN Reunification and Children Home:
In 2007, THIS extended cooperation with Next Generation Nepal (NGN), USA and Karya Association, France to implement project activities for rescued children. Our objective was the welfare of children who have been displaced or trafficked, or children who are destitute and / or unprivileged.
THIS presented itself as project partner of Next Generation Nepal for organizing well managed transit home, reconnection, reunification, monitoring of reunified children and educational project to reduce child trafficking and illiteracy.
There are two transit homes under the guardianship of THIS; one at Pasikot (Kathmandu) and another in Simikot the headquarters of Humla. There are now 36 children in total under THIS' responsibility including those in Humla. THIS successfully reunited 15 kids with their family and is providing educational support.
Educational support project for Bal Mandir High School in Humla
THIS has initiated an educational project in Humla to boost up educational facilities by providing training to the teachers, improving infrastructure, providing teaching learning materials and providing reference materials such as library books and computers to the school family of Humla.
THIS chose Bal Mandir High School so that it could deliver its services to the poorest of the poor portion of the community which used to be funded by the Royal family.
But due to some major fall backs and lack of commitment from the SMC; THIS had to close this project in June 2012.
September, 2012- December, 2017
Recently, THIS and NGN has agreed to sign an agreement to strengthen and support GoN policy to deinstitutionalize Nepal’s children’s homes, so far as possible; to prevent children being displaced or trafficked from their families into institutions; and to support trafficked or displaced children to be reconnected and reunified with their families or into other forms of alternative family-based care from September 2012 to December, 2017.
NGN, THIS-KTM and THIS-Humla will be running one major service delivery activity as follows:
Objective 1 : Service Delivery Activities
Component 1 – Reunification and Community based foster care
Component 2 – Capacity Building of CCWB, DCWBs, Civil Society and Other Agencies
Component 3 – Promoting Ethical Tourism
Component 4 – Deinstitutionalization Group (DIG)
Objective 2 : Education in Humla
NGN will fund THIS-Humla to work with education stakeholders in Humla district (communities, teachers, parents, students, School Management Committees, local political representatives, VDCs etc) to consider problems children face in accessing a quality education and how these can be resolved, thus preventing children being displaced and trafficked into institutions in Kathmandu. The stakeholders will be encouraged to consider their own solutions. Year 1 of the project will involve intensive research and a baseline survey to better understand the complex socio-economic reasons that create a situation of children being displaced from their families for reasons associated with education, and the results of this research will inform the activities of the project. At this stage it is too early to say exactly which activities the project will undertake, as these will be informed by the research and baseline survey, but we anticipate using a dialogue and social mobilization approaches to engage communities in identifying their problems and finding appropriate and sustainable solutions. The project will work with communities to implement solutions, and we anticipate these solutions involving infrastructure support for schools and capacity building and training of teachers, parents and other stakeholders to improve their role in the education of children.
Objective 3 : Empowerment of Young People
NGN will fund THIS-KTM to work specifically with Nepali young people who need scholarship educational support or vocational mentoring and training to enable them to become skilled and educated Nepali citizens who work for local communities and thus indirectly prevent trafficking. NGN believes that, if they are fully educated and trained then they can achieve a big impact in developing their communities and thus addressing the problem of child trafficking into institutions in Kathmandu. Criteria for assessing young people eligible for the scheme will broadly be the following: (i) those having been trafficked into children’s homes and/or reconnected or reunified through NGN projects; (ii) young people originating from Humla and who have been educated in Humla and are committed to working for the betterment of Nepali society; and (iii) young people from Humla who have been educated in Kathmandu by lack opportunities available to them and are committed to working for the betterment of Nepali society.
Supporting Project : Capacity Building of THIS-KTM and THIS-Humla
NGN has been providing capacity building trainings to THIS staff to capacitate and level up their skills and knowledge in their working area and field. This training also include the organizational capacity building of THIS central office and district base office in Humla through providing funds to upgrade human resource as well as assets such as computers, printers and other accessories.
PARTNERSHIP WITH TERRE DES HOMMES FOUNDATION (TDH)
December 2009-July, 2013:
During the last ten years, Humla and the districts of Karnali had been in the headlines of the main newspaper for trafficked children and trafficking. Children left their area due to various reasons such as political havoc, low economic condition, in search of better opportunities for children's education and to save children from joining Maoists. Traffickers benefited from political havoc and could easily fool the parents distributing false dreams about their children's future. They even told some of the children's parents that their children would come home with Bachelor's degree from colleges in Kathmandu.
In January, 2010, THIS has drawn an agreement with Terre Des Hommes (Tdh) Foundation for the implementation of the H2P project in Humla to promote family preservation and alternative child care to parental care and improve the participation of children in their physical, mental and psychosocial development through the provision of child focused activities in a participatory approach. The main focus of the project is children under the age of 18 who are living in different forms of risks such as abuse, neglect and exploitation and are able to cope with and are able to lead a normal life. Raya, Jaira and Simikot are the project working areas.
Terre Des Hommes Foundation project on Children's homes to child protection (H2P) MALA III was awarded to THIS for 3 VDCs of Humla mainly Jaira, Raya and Simikot. The main Goal of the project was to reduce the prevailing child trafficking from Humla and encourage internal adoptions through foster families, kinship care and other possible ways instead of institutional child care such as children's homes, orphanages and boarding school care etc and international adoption.
The major objectives of the project were to:
- Reduce Child Trafficking
- Encourage foster care and kinship care
- Awareness raising on child trafficking and displacement of children from their home and family
- School kit support and Family preservation support for children and family at risk
THIS is in the final stage of successful implementation; sustainable phasing out stage of Tdh funded Mala III project on alternative care to stop child trafficking and displacement of children from Humla. It might go a maximum of 6 months.
After working 3 years in Humla and supporting the children, it is time to terminate the project so THIS plans to implement activities which will encourage and realize the beneficiaries for safe landing of the project. It does not mean that we are leaving Humla but we will work for more sustainable ways to phase out this project
August, 2013-August, 2016:
Recently, Tdh and THIS signed a 3 year (2013-2016) an Integrated Child Protection project in Humla to protect the children through 2 major areas such as Health and child protection. Mother and child health including pre-natal and post-natal care service is provided through the government health facilities with direct involvement of the mothers groups and with emergency fund to healp and support mothers and children. Child protection system is strengthened through mobilizing child clubs, schools and community people and DCWB.
PARTNERSHIP WITH Australian Association for Forget Me Not Children's Home (AAFMNCH)
November, 2012-December, 2017:
November, 2012 THIS signed a 5 year (August 2012-July 2017) project with SWC and Autralian Association for Forget Me Not Children's Home for the reunification of 20 girls, Empowerment and their futures. AAFMNCH began operating a children’s home in Kathmandu where children are provided with food, clothing and a quality education as per the Government of Nepal’s minimum standards. AAFMNCH believes that while basic needs must be fulfilled, there are additional needs for every child that are not material. In order to address the deeper emotional needs of children as well to recognize aspects of cultural and personal identity, we would like to begin a program of reintegration to reconnect children with their families and communities wherever possible.
AAFMNCH aims to:
- Operate a Home, "Forget Me Not Children's Home," abiding by the national minimum standards of GoN by providing food, shelter, clothing, education, medical care, psychosocial support and child sponsorships. Forget Me Not Children's Home will serve as a transit home for children who are able to be reintegrated and will also provide long-term care for children for whom reintegration is not an option.
- Initiate reintegration programs to reunite displaced children with their families and communities wherever possible.
- Provide scholarships for higher study. Scholarship opportunities will be available for children who have been reintegrated as well as those who remain in the Forget Me Not Children's Home.
Up to the end of October, 2013, we have reconnected majority of the children with their families and ready for the reintegration. We stuck in the middle of the reintegration process due to upheaval of children's Psychosocial condition. We had to wait for the reintegration up to the level of their capacity to take the decision. We took this decision very carefully and sensibly so that the children and family will be happy to accept the decision.
We decided to reunite most of the children by the beginning of the new academic session 2014 back to their families and community. We have decided to support for their education, food, school dress and some income generation training for the family members to increase their economic condition so that they could create a better environment for the children to live in. The support plan and child care plan has been discussed with the children and their family. Support plan basically depend on the team decision based on the recommendation and family assessment report from the reintegration officer and Programme Manager. We have also decided to monitor, mentor and provide psychosocial counselling for these children every fortnight basis for the nearby children and their family and monthly basis for the children and families who are far away from Kathmandu. Apart from the educational support other support will only provided after completion of the 3 months stay at their home with safe and secure settlement in the respective families. Educational support will be continued up to 10+2. Till then THIS' monitoring and supervision will continue.
PARTNERSHIP WITH Go Campaign USA
January 2015-December, 2015
THIS Applied for an organizational capacity building project from Go Campaign, USA for the year 2015. Go Campaign generously offered this one year (January 2015 to December, 2015) project to THIS for the year 2015. The main objective of the project is to capacitate THIS and to help destitute children of Nepal. By the end of 2015 THIS will carry out some activities which will directly help build THIS' capacity in different ways. THIS' key staffs will have an exposure visit to Bachapan Bachao Andolan, in New Delhi; an organization led and established by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Mr. Kailash Satyarthi in 1980 and which runs transit homes and long term care homes for the children working in the mica industries is India. BBA is working vigorously in India against child labour and campaigns against it. Within this project some children will be directly benefit and help them understanding on child rights and right to education.
Last Updated : 29-March-2015
