From Disability to Sustainability in Nepal

Aim

Supporting disabled people in Nepal to lift themselves, their families and each other out of poverty and exclusion.

From Disability to Sustainability in Nepal

All round the world, people with disabilities face inequality and exclusion from opportunity. These are serious and growing problems in the UK, but far worse for the many more disabled people who live in lower-income countries where less support is available.

About a quarter of Nepal’s population lives in poverty, which disproportionately affects people with disabilities facing barriers to education, training and employment. DDP has planned an ambitious 3-year programme, working with local disabled people’s organizations (run by people with their own lived experience of disability) to change the lives of people currently living in poverty, in rural and urban areas of Nepal where we know we can make an impact.

We need to raise £40,000 for the up-front costs of this work, which will be reimbursed from international grant funding for each of the next three years. As a small charity, we do not have vast reserves of our own, or the freedom to take commercial loans, but we do bring 30 years of commitment, experience and solidarity. Your support – small or large – will allow us to start work with a dedicated fund that will be recycled many times.

It’s up to you whether to make a donation (ideally with Gift Aid, if you’re a UK taxpayer), or a loan, 90% of which we can return to you after the three years are up. If you choose to donate, we will continue to invest in new livelihood opportunities after the 3-year rolling programme ends. We aim to meet our target of £40,000 by 31 December 2022.

 Here’s what we want to do and why:

• In both rural and urban districts, we will establish women-led self-help groups whose members can develop and launch new ventures, make regular savings, and access loans and support.
• In the capital Kathmandu, tailored, accessible vocational training will be provided in the skills people – and the job market – require.
• And we will lead a campaign of advocacy for disability-inclusive employment through the media, raising awareness about the many contributions this ‘largest minority’ can make, and celebrating and promoting disability-confident employers.

There are perks! As well as the satisfaction of knowing you've made a life-changing difference, please see the 'rewards' available as tokens of appreciation. Some apply to permanent rather than temporary contributions, as does Gift Aid - so please do let us know if your will be opting to have 90% back after 3 years. That kind of help is hugely appreciated, too.

Whatever level you choose, we will keep you up to date with news and progress in Nepal.

Corporate pledges

Perhaps you are an employer in the UK, with an interest in diversity, representation and more inclusive workplaces? We can offer companies the chance to exercise corporate social responsibility, by pledging to match individual donations – up to your chosen ceiling.

You can help by spreading the campaign among staff, colleagues and customers, and DDP can visit virtually or in person to explain the programme to your workforce.

Nepalese restaurants

Nepalese restaurants and other businesses in the UK are invited to take part: could you repost this crowdfunder on your social media, host an event, make a collection, invite bill donations, or even match individual donations up to a certain amount?

Please get in touch and get involved!

Thank you so much for helping us to ensure that people with disability get a fair chance to improve their lives.

This project successfully funded on 29th December 2022