SHILA PANDEY - BUILDING CAPACITY
Facilitator / Social Mobilizer
Hands with Hands Microcredit Projects in Nepal
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| Viti and Shila Photo taken in November 2015 Chitwan District |
I I first met Shila in
February 2011 when undertaking microcredit fieldwork on behalf of Hands with Hands (HwH) in rural
villages, Chitwan District, Nepal. Shila's role with this small NGO involves 'building
capacity' through a range of training initiatives for members and villagers:
Shila and Ramchandra KC participated with my fieldwork and were essential in providing cultural awareness in this context
and translated the interviews conducted with Jutpani Microfinance Co-operative
members. My above report provided an outsiders perspective on the following:
1.
What Nepali individuals and families perceived
as important and beneficial in their lives with respect to HwH’s provision of
microcredit
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| Viti handing over a copy of her book to Shila and Ramchandra during her visit to Nepal in 2014. |
"Reconnecting with Shila and Ramchandra is what makes pro bono activities so rewarding and meaningful. Their generosity and willingness throughout my fieldwork holds a place in my heart and are a timely reminder why local endeavours are so crucial to sustainability at a grass roots level. (Pg. 53 Simmons, V. A tree needs water to bear fruit: Enterprising women creating reservoirs for poverty alleviation)
The opportunity to
attend Udya Savings & Credit Co-operative Ltd. Jutpani-4, Chitwan A.G.M (2014)
is now being run by Board members. This was in contrast to when I attended
their 2011 A.G.M. A wonderful example of what ‘Building Capacity’ within the Microfinance
Co-operative looks like. It was so rewarding seeing this progress first hand and
the bearing of fruit from all involved since 2011.
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| Jutpani Board Members November 2014 The following are a few photos taken on the day which was followed up with a walk around the village to look at and meet members operating their enterprises. |
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| Visit to a Co-operative member producing mustard oil next to her mustard seed crusher. Her other enterprise is developing baby pigs.   both members were interviewed in 2011 & 2014. |
Over a number of years
Co-founders of HwH have provided mentoring and training opportunities for
staff/cooperative members which has provided a flow on affect to villages. More
importantly, that once co-operatives are established those training needs are
then determined by co-operative members.
Some of the training is also made available to men and youth in these villages.
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| Kira Kay Co-founder of HwH's and |
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| Di Pendra KC (HwH Co-founder and guest) at the opening of the New Commercial Bank in Bharatpur where Jutpani co-operative members (below) opened accounts. A wonderful example of 'building capacity' over time with the right philosophy, vision and approach. |
The recent and ongoing
earthquakes in Nepal have been devastating. Direct feedback indicates local
people involved in various HwH's projects - across Nepal - are safe. However,
infrastructure and buildings associated with HwH's Children's Homes have been
impacted.
A local partnership
developed prior to the earthquake between Nripal (Architect) and Shila (Social
Mobilizer) took on a new meaning when they made the decision to head to Gorkha
village which was near the epicenter of the first large earthquake.
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| Gorkha Village after the earthquake |
Their response was heartwarming
to all those involved at an international level from the feedback, hear, photos and social
media the collective impact they are generating at a local level – post earthquake.
I hold the view that
partnerships like Nripal and Shila highlights the reminder that when we choose
to become involved with an organisation - immaterial in what capacity to
contribute towards social change we need to ask the question, WHY do I wish to
become involved? If your motivation is about the WE and not the I then the likelihood of it being a
positive experience is far greater!
While on a meditation
retreat with Shila in November 2014 I asked her what type of training she had
undertaken as her role of responsibilities has grown. The following is a snapshot of what she
shared:
- 5 days Sustainability of Microfinance / Institutions
through financial services
- 3 days attending Microfinance Summit in Nepal
- 8 days Triple P training
- Financial Mobilizer Training
- Self-Management Leadership training (HwH's Micro-finance
program coordinating)
- 15 days of TOT training with Government and Private
Sector
- 4 days Accounting training
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| Shila and local Nepali trainer overseeing training opportunities with Jutpani Microfinance members requested. |
Microcredit creates purpose
Purpose creates income
Income creates opportunity
Opportunity creates choices
Choices creates health and wellbeing
Health and wellbeing creates productive communities
Productive communities become self-determining (Viti 2011)
This remains my compass!
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| Shila learning the art of making apple pie at the meditation retreat at Nagarkot Farmhouse Resort. |
Finally, when I asked
Shila her thoughts about her expanded role this was her response:
I am social Mobilizer / Facilitator
[which] means moving
to community members or you can say mediates. When I want to share an idea and
thought [and] if they easily get this - I am so happy. I want to help
them increase their income and complete their basic needs.
I am inspired by the
work of Nepali people like Shila and Nripal and the behind the scenes facilitating and mentoring Kira and Dipendra provide to those assisting - during this time of need. Over the coming weeks and
months ahead they will be stretched and in that process discover a new found individual
capacity and collective responsibility - post earthquake. Take special care!
You remain in our
thoughts!
Viti Simmons - Director
Bear Fruit
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