Kalinchowk Rural Municipality Ward No. 9 is predominantly inhabited by the Thami Indigenous Group, who make up more than 90% of the village's population. The Thami Community relies on agriculture for their livelihood, cultivating crops and rearing animals for sustenance. However, despite their dependence on farming, they do not own the land they work on. Instead, the land is owned by Non-Indigenous People who lease it to the Thami Community. Under this arrangement, the Thami must give half of their harvest to the landowners. The Thami Community faces significant challenges due to their agricultural obligations. They are required to give half of their harvest to the landowner, leaving them with only enough crops to sustain themselves for about three months. This precarious situation has made it difficult for the Thami people to achieve food security and maintain their livelihoods.

Photo Description: Kalinchowk Rural Municipality Ward No.9

Recognizing the gravity of this issue, the National Indigenous Women Forum (NIWF) stepped in to provide support in 2017. NIWF designed and conducted a 20-week intensive training program specifically tailored to the needs and circumstances of the Thami Women. This training, known as the Integrated Pest Management (IMP) training, aimed to empower the Thami Women with the knowledge and skills needed to enhance their agricultural productivity and sustainability.

Photo Description: Thami Women and NIWF's Chair and Vice Chair group photo

The Women after receiving IPM training registered their group under the name “Thami Mahila Krishak Samuha”  at their Rural Municipality. They collect Rs. 50 each monthly as savings. This savings fund not only fosters financial security but also enables the group to invest in further agricultural initiatives and community development projects. To further enhance their knowledge and empower them, NIWF also provided a 2-day Advanced Climate Smart Farming and Management Training for the Thami women. This supplementary training focused on advanced techniques for adapting to climate change, ensuring that their farming practices remain sustainable and resilient in the face of environmental challenges.

The success of the IMP and Advanced Climate Smart Farming training programs is evident in the thriving vegetable gardens and the empowered Women of the Thami Community. With their newfound skills and knowledge, these Women have become agents of change, driving their community towards a more secure and prosperous future. NIWF’s  initiatives have not only provided the Thami Women with essential agricultural skills but have also instilled a sense of hope and resilience within the community. Through sustainable farming practices and off-season vegetable production, the Thami Community has made remarkable strides towards achieving food security and improving their livelihoods.

Photo Description: Cabbage farming by Thami Women

"I live with my aunt so my mother has one less mouth to feed, allowing her to take better care of my other siblings. While living with my aunt helps ease some of the burden on my mother, I miss her dearly and long to be back home. Now that I’ve been selected for IGOF, I am filled with hope and excitement. This opportunity means that my school fees and stationery will be covered, relieving my mother of these financial concerns. With these expenses taken care of, I am hopeful that I can return home and stay with my mother and siblings. Being together again would bring immense joy to all of us, and I look forward to supporting my family while continuing my education."

Sakuna Thami is an 8-year-old girl from Kalinchowk Rural Municipality, Ward No. 9. She has been selected as one of the two candidates for IGOF 2024. Sakuna lives with her mother and siblings in a challenging family situation. Her father, who has two wives, is seldom present in her life, leaving her mother as the sole breadwinner. Her mother works tirelessly in the fields to support the family, and despite her young age, Sakuna is remarkably aware of the difficulties her mother faces as a single parent. She demonstrates a deep sense of responsibility and maturity, eagerly helping her mother with various tasks around the house and in the fields.

Photo Description: Sakuna Thami's home at Kalinchowk Rural Municipality Ward No.9 .

To ease the financial burden on her family, Sakuna lives with her maternal aunt, who resides just 10 minutes away from their home. This arrangement allows her mother to focus on providing for the family while ensuring Sakuna receives the care and attention she needs. Sakuna’s enthusiasm and willingness to assist her mother are commendable. She participates in household chores and any other way she can, showing a level of understanding and empathy beyond her years. Her situation highlights the resilience and adaptability of young children in the face of adversity, and her selection for IGOF 2024 brings hope for better support and opportunities for her and her family.

Photo Description: Sakuna Thami receiving stationery items from the Principal of the school as the selected IGOF candidate.

Indigenous Girls Opportunity Fund(IGOF) is an initiative taken by National Indigenous Women Forum(NIWF) in 2023 with the aim of ensuring equal access to education for Indigenous Girls. IGOF is dedicated to providing educational assistance and other necessary assistance to the scholarship recipient girls to support them academically. This fund provides educational aid to the selected student candidates from marginalised and endangered Indigenous Communities from economically disadvantaged backgrounds giving special emphasis in their empowerment through education.

Photo Description: Shree Kalika Secondary School where Sakuna Thami studies.

"I am deeply grateful for being selected for IGOF 2024, as this opportunity holds immense significance for my family and me. My father has been borrowing money to pay for my tuition, and this scholarship will relieve a tremendous financial burden from his shoulders. It will enable me to concentrate fully on my studies without the constant worry of tuition fees and the cost of essential stationery items. This opportunity not only supports my academic journey but also brings immense relief and happiness to my father, who has been tirelessly supporting my education. I am truly thankful for this chance to excel and achieve my dreams without financial constraints" says Sabina Thami to NIWF team after her selection.

Sabina Thami is a 15 year old Indigenous Girl from Kalinchowk Rural Municipality Ward No.9 Dolakha district. She is currently studying in grade 8 at Shree Kalika Secondary School. She loves to cook for her father while he works in the fields. Her dream is to become a teacher inspired by the belief that education can transform lives and uplift her community. Sabina's family situation is challenging. Her mother is deaf and suffers from chronic illness, which prevents her from contributing to the labor-intensive work required in the fields. This puts additional pressure on the family, particularly on Sabina and her siblings. The family consists of seven members, but many of her siblings have moved away in search of better opportunities. Presently, Sabina lives with her parents, her elder sister, and her youngest sister.

Photo Description: Sabina Thami's home at Kalinchowk Rural Municipality at Ward No.9 in Dolakha District.

Economic hardship is a constant presence in their lives. Despite Sabina's determination to pursue her education, her younger sister is unable to do the same. Instead of attending school, she works in the fields of others, earning a meagre wage to help support the family. This situation underscores the difficult choices many families in their community face, where the immediate need to survive often takes precedence over long-term aspirations. Her father is highly supportive of her education. Sabina Thami emphasized that, despite their financial burdens, her father has even borrowed money to pay for her tuition, demonstrating his commitment to her future. So after a thorough interview process and careful assessment of their economic condition, the NIWF team selected Sabina Thami as the final candidate for IGOF 2024. This decision was made with the hope of providing meaningful assistance to her family and supporting Sabina's aspirations.

Photo Description: Sabina Thami receiving stationery items as the selected IGOF candidate from the Principal.

Indigenous Girls Opportunity Fund(IGOF) is an initiative taken by National Indigenous Women Forum(NIWF) in 2023 with the aim of ensuring equal access to education for Indigenous Girls. IGOF is dedicated to providing educational assistance and other necessary assistance to the scholarship recipient girls to support them academically. This fund provides educational aid to the selected student candidates from marginalised and endangered Indigenous Communities from economically disadvantaged backgrounds giving special emphasis in their empowerment through education. 

Photo Description: Sabina Thami with her Father

Photo Description: Sabina Thami's School at Kalinchowk Rural Municipality Ward No.9.

Sankharapur, despite being within the Kathmandu Valley, remains a remote area situated on its outskirts. Within this municipality, specifically in Ward No. 5, lies the village of Bishambhara, which is approximately 14 kilometres from the heart of Kathmandu. The inhabitants of Bishambhara primarily belong to the Tamang Indigenous Community. Their way of life is deeply intertwined with subsistence agriculture, meaning they grow crops and raise livestock mainly to meet their own needs rather than for commercial purposes. This agricultural practice is their main source of livelihood, sustaining them and their families.

National Indigenous Women Forum (NIWF), established in 1998, has dedicated itself to empowering Indigenous Communities. In 2020, as part of its ongoing efforts, NIWF focused on the Tamang Women Group in Sankharapur by providing them with Integrated Pest Management (IPM) training. This specialised training was designed to address the specific needs and challenges faced by the Tamang Women in their agricultural practices. The IPM training was not just about managing pests but also aimed at introducing climate-smart farming techniques. These methods are essential for adapting to and mitigating the impacts of climate change, ensuring sustainable agricultural practices. By adopting climate-smart farming, the Tamang Women can improve their crop yields and resilience against environmental stresses.

Photo Description: Indigenous Tamang Women using compost manure.

With the support of NIWF, Tamang women have officially registered their group as "Bishambhara Tamang Mahila Krishak Samuha" with the Department of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry in their municipality. The group comprises 25 members who contribute Rs 500 each month. The ultimate goal of this initiative was to enhance the economic condition of the Tamang Women Group. With better farming practices, they can increase their agricultural productivity, leading to greater food security and the potential for surplus produce that can be sold in markets. This not only boosts their income but also contributes to the overall well-being of their families and community. Through this training, NIWF aimed to empower the Tamang women, giving them the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in a changing climate and improve their livelihoods sustainably.

Photo Description: Group photo after the training.