The visit to the projects<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\u2018Our reception at the projects was very special. I had no idea what to expect, but we were very gratefully welcomed with wreaths of flowers, music, delicious food and rehearsed dances. This made us feel appreciated. The inhabitants were extremely hospitable and really valued our arrival,\u2019 says Fabian Marchand. \u2018I also found it impressive how people were already prepared for our arrival and for what purpose we were there. They were able to answer our questions properly, including the critical financial questions\u2019, adds Maurice Verkerk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\nFabian Marchand (left) and Maurice Verkerk (right) during welcome ceremony.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nHein Wegdam arriving to a project.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWater and hygiene<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nTwo of the projects visited are aimed at improving the living conditions in the villages. We visited a water and sanitation project in the Kiratikhola and Gundi community. Hein explains: \u2018Water is so important, it\u2019s a basic need. You can live without power (which they do), but water is really crucial. For drinking, of course, and for good hygiene, but also to grow crops and therefore for food.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ecotourism in Tangting<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nThe final project visited involved setting up ecotourism in Tangting. Fabian: \u2018What makes the ecotourism project interesting is that it tackles a large-scale problem. It may take longer to set up, but the aim is to prevent the population from leaving rural areas to earn money elsewhere (often in the Middle East and in appalling conditions). This project teaches people to use their beautiful surroundings in an entrepreneurial way. It can provide both the culture and the inhabitants with a long-term future.\u2019 Maurice also found the project in Tangting impressive: \u2018What we are doing in Tangting is our own initiative and that is something new. And really fitting for such a beautiful mountain village. They\u2019re so serious! They\u2019re already attracting real tourists, so things are starting to move. And we\u2019ve been involved in every aspect.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Taking a piece of Nepal back to the Netherlands<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nTaking a piece of Nepal back to the Netherlands<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\u2018I\u2019m taking home a good feeling and confidence\u2019, says Maurice. \u2018By visiting the projects yourself, you can see how seriously they are involved. They asked us a lot of questions and wanted to exchange ideas with us about how they could best do certain things. I am now convinced that the projects will be successful in the future, even long after we have finished them.\u2019 Jan concludes: The hospitality and satisfaction of the people \u2013 I\u2019ll take that home with me too. In the Netherlands, there\u2019s just too much moaning [laughs].\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cooperation Unica Foundation and Shanti Griha<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBerber Veenstra, consultant at CFP, tells us more about the setting up of the projects. \u2018The collaboration with the Unica Foundation and Shanti Griha is very special. They had already done preliminary research in these regions and this created trust among the villagers (and us). Because they will be monitoring the projects from now on, it will also be easier for the villagers to ask questions. As a result, things are less likely to stagnate and new action points are more likely to be taken up.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n\nJan van Noordenne is welcomed.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nBerber Veenstra during visit in Tangting.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Eight donors and CFP staff left for Nepal to visit a number of projects. They could see for themselves how their money was being spent and how the projects were progressing. We spoke to some of the participan<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":5914,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[272,63,31],"tags":[],"trefwoord":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
An unforgettable trip to Nepal - CFP<\/title>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n