What we do
The Shree Dip Bahadur Karki Memorial Foundation, established on December 14, 2021, is dedicated to working with poor and marginalized communities in Ramechhap District, empowering them to meet their basic needs and improve their livelihoods. The foundation aims to provide quality education to marginalized children, reduce school dropout rates in the early grades, and create awareness about better health facilities. Additionally, it promotes access to clean and safe drinking water, raises awareness about climate change and environmental protection, and advocates for good governance. By supporting economic opportunities through rural entrepreneurship, the foundation strives to create sustainable development and uplift the communities it serves.
Sustainable Agriculture and Livelihood
Agriculture provides employment opportunities to 66% of Nepal’s population and contributes about 36% to the national GDP. Most agricultural practices in Nepal are subsistence-based, and the sector has yet to move towards commercialization. Recognizing that the overall development of the agriculture sector is key to the nation’s economic growth, the Shree Dip Bahadur Karki Memorial Foundation aims to create better livelihood opportunities in this vital sector. The foundation works with various groups and individuals, focusing on a market-based approach to increase the incomes of poor and vulnerable communities through the promotion of commercial agricultural production.
Additionally, the foundation supports sustainable agricultural practices, provides training and resources to enhance productivity, and encourages rural entrepreneurship to stimulate economic growth. By fostering innovation and collaboration, the foundation aims to transform traditional farming into a more profitable and sustainable industry, ultimately contributing to the broader development of Nepal’s economy.
Education
The Shree Dip Bahadur Karki Memorial Foundation is committed to enhancing educational opportunities in the Ramechhap district through strategic collaboration with international donors and local government schools. Our mission is to promote modern education by equipping schools with essential facilities, including computers, internet connections, projector, and various educational materials. With the generous financial backing of international donor agencies, we are also dedicated to improving school infrastructure, such as kitchens, toilets, and playgrounds. In addition, we offer scholarships to students from poor, marginalized, and vulnerable communities, ensuring that quality education is accessible to all. Beyond infrastructure and financial support, the foundation actively engages with schools to organize a variety of extracurricular activities, including essay writing, debate competitions, art contests, and sports events. These initiatives aim to foster overall growth, creativity, and innovation among students, making a lasting impact on their educational journey and shaping a brighter future.
Water, Health, Nutrition and Sanitation
Nepal is the second richest country in the world in terms of water resources. However, the majority of the rural population does not have access to clean, safe, and sanitized water, leading to significant health and sanitation issues. The Shree Dip Bahadur Karki Memorial Foundation is addressing these challenges by coordinating with local authorities and donor agencies to build water collection tanks and distribution lines. We are also promoting improved WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) programs in the targeted communities and schools of the Ramechhap district.
In addition to our water initiatives, the foundation is dedicated to enhancing health facilities and raising awareness about better health practices among rural populations. Promoting nutritional habits within these communities is another major priority for us. Through these efforts, the foundation aims to improve the overall health and well-being of rural households in Ramechhap district.
Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction
Floods and landslides are major destructive forces of nature that pose significant challenges to communities across Nepal, leading to erosion of agricultural lands and displacement of human settlements. To address these climatic challenges, the Shree Dip Bahadur Karki Memorial Foundation is dedicated to creating awareness and promoting environmental protection and biodiversity through targeted initiatives.
The foundation is committed to raising awareness about climate change and disaster risk reduction by organizing a series of community and school-level programs, including stakeholder discussion meetings. Additionally, we plan to enhance engagement by conducting educational activities such as quiz and rhetoric competitions on national and international occasions. Through these efforts, the foundation aims to foster a culture of environmental stewardship and resilience within the communities it serves.
Gender Equality and Social Inclusion
Nepal, one of the developing countries in the world, is a patriarchal, unequal, and fragmented society with over 100 different social groups based on caste, ethnicity, religion, and language. The Shree Dip Bahadur Karki Memorial Foundation aims to work with this diverse population, advocating for their rights and empowering them to gain better access to social, economic, and political opportunities. Through our efforts, we strive to create a more inclusive and equitable society where everyone has the chance to thrive.
Our Pojects
Education
The Shree Dip Bahadur Karki Memorial Foundation is dedicated to enhancing education in Ramechhap District in collaboration with its German partner Hilfe fur Ramechhap e.V. Among these initiatives is the Day Meal Project (DMP), which provides warm meals to students, diminishing dropout rates and promoting nutrition. The Foundation's digital education efforts include equipping with computers, internet, and a projector for interactive teaching. The foundation has arranged an English and Computer teacher, enhancing education quality and digital literacy. Supplementing the curriculum, the Foundation distributed materials like sports equipment and artistic tools, fostering holistic development. During the pandemic, the Foundation provided face masks and warm socks to protect student well-being. Infrastructure improvements were achieved by the Foundation, including a kitchen construction project funded by Schöck Foundation, Deutsche Bahn Stiftung and Hilfe fur Ramechhap e.V. This extended to water facilities and hand washing stations for a healthier learning environment. Furthering its mission, the Foundation in collaboration with its major partner Hilfe fur Ramechhap e.V. has established a reading library at schools, encouraging educational exploration. A vital endeavor is the Dip Bahadur Karki Scholarship Scheme, supporting economically challenged students at Shree Gaurishankar Secondary School from grades 4 to 12. This program reflects the Foundation's commitment to education access and fostering brighter futures for both students and communities.
Agriculture
The Shree Dip Bahadur Karki Memorial Foundation is actively engaged in collaborative agricultural projects in collaboration with the community, farmers, government agencies and donors. A significant initiative is the Sweet Orange Garden Extension Program (SOGEP), which aligns with the government's focus on enhancing Sweet Orange production in Ramechhap. This is the major program that the foundation has in pipeline. This program, is planning to take place in partnership with the community and donors, aims to boost improved sweet orange cultivation, quality production, and marketing. The project is anticipated to benefit smallholder, marginalized, poor, and women farmers from Sukajor village. Through this project, the Foundation aiming to offer comprehensive support, including training in modern farming techniques, seedling distribution, access to irrigation facilities, post-harvest losses management and market connection. In this project, the foundation is planning to work with the private sectors offering services to farmers for the market connection, and post-harvest management via introduction of post-harvest management tools and techniques. Through SOGEP, the project not only elevates the economic status of the community but also contributes to government objectives for recognizing the district at a super zone for sweet orange production. Moreover, the Foundation will also carry out "Organic Farming Training" in Ramechhap Municipality-7, Sukajor, aiming to promote organic farming and tackle local farming challenges, use locally available tools and techniques to tackle different problems of farmers engaged in sweet orange production. The Foundation also proactively addresses farming-related issues such as Fall Armyworm infestations and challenges in corn farming, working closely with donors and stakeholders to distribute insect control remedies for these problems.
Water, Health, Nutrition and Sanitation
In Ramechhap Municipality, the foundation has been actively advancing initiatives in health, nutrition, and sanitation. The primary objective is to enhance access to safe and clean drinking water for the municipality's residents. To realize this goal, the foundation has been in continuous communication to secure the financial support from German donors and collaborates closely with local, provincial, and federal governmental bodies, as well as concerned stakeholders. The foundation's partnership with Hilfe fur Ramechhap e.V., its German counterpart, has been instrumental in acquiring funds to construct vital water taps, addressing the needs of those in Sukajor. In alignment with Ramechhap Municipality-7 ongoing water project, the foundation is working hand in hand with the ward office to establish a pump house. This concerted effort involves coordination with various stakeholders within the village, ensuring a comprehensive and cooperative approach to water infrastructure development.