A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF NEPAL

Nepal is a multi- cultural, religious and casts landlocked country with a population of around 26 millions. It is one of the poorest countries in the world with low per capita income in average and most of the people here lie under the poverty line. About 80% of the total population is still dependent on agriculture which contributes around 40% of GDP. Illiteracy and unemployment is the problems of the country.

Even educated people are also unemployed here. So most of the youths are going out of the country especially to gulf countries for employment. After the glorious revolution of 2006 April, Maoist came in to the mainstream of democratic politics and peace process is in the progress.

Now country is in the constitutional assembly election campaign. However different groups either in the name of ethnic group, caste, gender, regional groups are still running their movement which has been hindering economic and social development in rural areas. The conflict seriously affects the life of the rural poor.

Geographical, social, and economic marginalization have led to large number of families either being unable to live in rural areas and moving to the urban cities, or being unable to support the children in the family and sending them to children homes, especially Kathmandu.

It has been estimated that more than 15000 people were killed in armed conflict, many children and women are being orphan and widows. The scarce availability of education and health-care facilities in rural areas also contribute to the desperate situation there. Maoists are now involved in Government but people are not still feeling peace as different activities are conducted by their youth organization particularly, YCL (Young Communist League). Due to political, social, cultural, economic instability and 11 year armed conflict, many children are being forced to go street & get thrown near river or dumping site as an abandoned child.

It is serious issue of child right. In fact; Nepal is a land of dreams, temples, himalayan expedition of ancient cities and picturesque villages, and the birthplace of Buddha and home of Vrikuti. However, cultural diversity and rich tradition is also one of the most important characters in the world and for much of its population daily life is anything but a dream.

Everyday is a painful reminder of impoverished life and arduous struggle. Political situation is divided in different sector and all parties leader open the voice for the women, ethnic groups and depressed group but no one speaks and uses their mind for the poorest people’s real problem and never thinks how to remove it.

ABOUT THE “HOPAD” CHILD AND WOMEN PROMOTION SOCIETY

The HOPAD Child and Women Promotion Society founded in 2005 with the aim of ensuring the rights of abandoned, marginalized, destitute and needy children of Nepal. By providing these children with basic necessities like education, food, shelter, health facilities in a nurturing community environment, HOPAD helps them to grow up to be independent and responsible active citizens.

It is situated at lalitpur nepal & has been registered with the government of nepal as a non-profit and non-government organization that hasn’t any political, religious, racial and other affiliations. It is affiliated with the District Development Committee of Lalitpur, Social Welfare Council of Kathmandu, Central Children Welfare Committee, District Children Welfare Committee Lalitpur and CNFN (Child NGOs Federation Nepal) Virkutimandap Kathmandu,Nepal.

It is dedicated to providing care for helpless, orphan, poor, affected differently, dalits, abandoned, underprivileged and marginalized needy children & women. Within limited resources it has been able to provide a decent home with offering them family life, medical care, education, vocational training, and hope for the future. The HOPAD currently has two units; firstly, children unit and secondly women unit. It has fixed vision, mission, goal and objectives.

It also helps to promote the life standard of women and children by providing skilled development training programs. It has aimed to be a root & roof organization for their better future.

SPECIAL FESTIVALS IN NEPAL

We celebrate the major religious festivals of Nepal. Find the short description of some of these festivals where any one of our supporters and volunteers can directly involve.

Maha Shivaratri: This festival commemorates the birthday of Shiva. It falls on the new moon day of the month of falgun of every year. The shiva temples are crowded with devotees, and bonfires can be seen all over the city as people celebrate late into the evening.

Many people come to visit Shiva Temple of Pashupatinath, Kathmandu and different parts of Nepal.

Holi: The other name of this festival is fagu purnima, as it always falls on the full moon day (Purnima) of the month of falgun. They also called it the `color festival`, as people smear each other with various colors, and throw balloons filled with colored water at one another.

According to a legend, the festival is related to the little Krishna’s survival of the murder attempt by Holika, a demon sent to kill him with fire.

New Year: This is the nepali new year, celebrated on the first day f the beginning month, Baishakh according to B.S. It is an important time for ritual bathing, and many people go to the resorts around the Valley for a picnic and used to buy new cloths to celebrate this event.

Teej: The festival of women, lasting three days, in the month of Bhadra. The women do ritual bathing at the ghats of Pashupatinath and other places of Nepal with fasting, and make offerings to the gods for the long life of the their husbands and being husbands.

Also it has ritual believe to get well husband and live long time. Many women do not drink water too in the name of fasting. Women play dancing in Pashupati and many open gathering place of Nepal.

Dashain: The festival is celebrated as a symbol of the victory of the goddess Durga over the forces of evil. It is a 15-day festival, celebrated especially in the Nepalese Hindus families in the Months of Asoj, but on special days, there are ceremonies in public areas as well (offerings and sacrifices to the Durga).

The festival ends on the day of Purnima, or full moon day. All family members gather in same home place and give some good wishes to the younger from the elder ones with tike on over the forehead in last dashami day.

Tihar : The festival is celebrated between brother and sister as romantic honorable festival of Hindu custom. It is a 5-day festival, celebrated especially in the Nepali Hindus families in the month of Kartik. It called Dipawalli.

People pray to the god of Laxmi Puja as name of Cow festival. People use to celebrate 5 days, firstly Crow Puja, secondly Dog Puja, thirdly Ox puja, fourthly Cow puja and finally Brother Tika where sister prays to their own brothers for their long and happy wishes life and Use to tika on over forehead which is full of seven colors.

Addition to tika brother gives some thing to the sister as present.

Others - And many more - of these festivals we provide special food to our children like Chitra Dashain, Maghe Sagranti, Shravan Sangranti, Kushe Aunshi, Krishna Austami, Machhindra Jatra, Losar,Chhat Parwa, Sosthani Parba ,Bisket Jatra etc. We celebrate New Year’s Day with a picnic on a beautiful spot in the Valley.