Viti Simmons Home Page

Day 23

Social Businesses 

• Kevin Rohan Foundation & 
• Seeing Hands

Kira's networks spread far and wide. Having the opportunity to visit the Kevin Rohan Foundation was yet another example of an organisation enabling disadvantaged Nepali people building capacity within their community. Kevin's father Krishna welcomed us to the Foundation with generosity and hospitality. 

Training is the common thread that keeps emerging over the last 4 weeks. This organisation runs seminars within their community facilities which is expanding as funds allow. An example of this was a 2 day training which involved 500 people so they could apply learning's to their villages. 

Compost is essential to the foundation

and the garden was abundant.

The following solar innovation was for

boiling water - pot at the center of panels.

Example only.

These brickets were made out of waste paper 

and sawdust.

Chickens being attended to 

by an employee.

Inside the foundation - what was 

captivating was the blend of age groups 

involved with the foundation.

The bottle house is an innovation

of the foundation. The materials

used are local mud, sand and bottles.

Inside view of bottle hut.

To date 10 houses have been built.

They are one bedroom - one bathroom

and sell for $342.00 US dollars.

The group was invited to lunch and this provided the opportunity to speak with global volunteers who work with the foundation. My next post - part 2 of the KRF will include their educational facilities currently being built. 

• SEEING HANDS - Nepal

Sourced from website 28/11/2014

When I first heard about this organisation while in Pokhara at the beginning of our trip - I was touched to say the least. Both Kira and Nina have experienced a massage at this social business in Kathmandu. Nina and I went in search of their Seeing Hands business established in Pokhara.

Receiving instructions
during training.
(Sourced from website) 28/11/2014

By chance one of the Co-Founders Sue from Great Britain (previously lived in Pokhara) was sitting in the garden with her manager Sherran. We were invited to join them as Nina had met Sherran in Kathmandu. When I was introduced and spoke Sherran commented I detect a New Zealand accent. What can I say! 

However, what struck me was Sue's comment on the philosophy behind Seeing Hands training links directly to work opportunities within the organisation. 

When we returned to Kathmandu the group booked massages. I was moved by the whole experience and the professional approach by all the staff.