Nepal information
previous page end
Development in Nepal
Helvetas Projects rural development
Rural development
Project philosophy
Working approach
Projects
Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)
Switzerland in Nepal - Rural Development

text from: Helvetas "Yesterday, Today, and ", Kathmandu 1997

RURAL DRINKING WATER SUPPLY

Villagers are pleased to see water flowing out of the tap that they built on their own initiative and effort, and with assistance from SRWSP (Self Reliant Drinking Water Support Programme)
Women periodically hold discussions with the villagers on the importance of building latrines, the crucial role of maintainance in projects, among others.

Villagers utilise the skills and knowledge they acquired during the SRWSP (Self Reliant Drinking Water Support Programme) training and conduct all maintainance and repair works required in the project.

top

Rural Development
Helvetas Project Philosophy
Five Working Principles
For the choice, planning, implementation and later evaluation of the development programs supported by Helvetas, the following apply:
Basis principle:
Helvetas works as directly as possible for the benefit of, and together with, the disadvantaged people concerned.
Self-help principle:
Cooperation practiced by Helvetas is oriented towards self-help, leading away from paralyzing social and economic dependencies.
Justice principle:
Even though social justice ultimately remains a relative notion, Helvetas unequivocally seeks to promote initiatives which aim at social equality.
Self-reliance principle:
Activities in which Helvetas participates aim at independent development, based on the partner country's cultural, social and economic conditions.
Partnership principle:
Planning, implementation, evaluation and financing of cooperation measures take place within a close cooperative partnership with indigenous counterparts, be they state institutions or non-governmental organisations.

top

Helvetas Project Philosophy - Five Working Approaches
I. Searching together for solutions
II. Striving for equality between men and women
III. Learning through dialog between cultures
IV. Protecting the environment
V. Acting with economic and social responsibility

top

Helvetas Projects
Projects in 1997
Abr. Project Project content
TWP Tinau Watershed Project After a flood Helvetas focused on dam construction and river control in the Tinau watershed area.
PDP Palpa Integrated Development Programme Helvetas is engaged in support for rural infrastructure, forest productivity, soil conservation, agricultural and livestock improvement and household income generation activities.
LISP Local Initiatives Support Program This exploratory programme will support existing local intitiatives and help new ones develop to address economic and social problems by developing self-potential and self-reliance in the people.
BTTC Balaju Technical Training Center Nepal required a formal technical training element within the government education system. The technical education was closely related to Nepal's industrial demands. Initially this Center was highlxy succesful at producing skill graduates. However the center was limited to needs of the poor and the market as well. Helvetas' involvement wound up in 1996.
SKILL Skill and Know-how Imparted at the Local level SKILL provides skill training. Its courses are short compact, flexibel to suit local situations.
CWSS Community Water Supply and Sanitation in the Western Region The programme started as a purely rural infrastructure development project. CWSS also started promoting educational and sanitation programmes. But it failed to inculcate a sense of ownership and responsibility among the water beneficiaries.
SRWSP Self-Reliant Drinking Water Support Programme SRWSP is the follow-on programme to CWSS. The programme aims at empowering communities in general, and women in particular, by envolving them in the entire project planning. Communties are empowered in building a safe and reliable drinking water scheme and sanitation facilities.

top

Development Projects in Nepal supported by Switzerland
Photo Galleries Arniko Highway Lamosangu-Jiri Road Suspension Bridges
Tourism within the Projects Areas
Selected Area Hanumante- Chordung Trekking Kalinchowk Trekking (Tinsang La)

Links
Externe Links
helvetas logo
Helvetas Switzerland Website

top