| Username |
Post |
| ashu |
Posted
on 19-Jun-03 01:51 AM
Hi all,
Though I work mostly with hard-core private-sector businesses in Nepal, one of my most satisfying work-related engagements this year was -- after four months of conversations -- convincing a group of former street children (age: 18-24) in Kathmandu to give up the usual NGO way of doing things, and instead transform themselves into
a private-sector, for-profit company, and be, well, more business-like.
After following them on their regular work route for days, I decided that only by
walking down the for-profit, private-sector path and diversifying their services
will they be able to :
a) keep up the brand of their services
b) market their services more professionally and competently to other businesses
c) develop linkages with other businesses for other opportunities
d) raise their income from the market on the basis of their providing services and NOT through other people's charity and daya.
e) and provide more jobs to other former street children.
Already, a), b) and c) are happening, and that's great.
Enjoy,
oohi
ashu
ktm,nepal
********************
Former street children make Prayas
Post Report
KATHMANDU, June 18
A group of youths, most of whom were once street children, have opened a multipurpose door-to-door service agency called Prayas. These people had been working together under Jagaran Manch Nepal, a non-governmental organisation, collecting garbage from houses, hotels and other offices for a fee and disposing them at Kathmandu Metropolitan Citys dumping area at Teku.
Rewat Timilsina, the leader of the group and also the president of Jagaran Manch, said today at a programme that Prayas is a private company and its motive could be profit making.
Timilsina had started the group in April 2000, with three rickshaws and two street children. Before the inception of Prayas, the groups monthly income had gone to Rs 33,000 a month.
With the formation of a company, the group has decided to diversify its services from garbage collection to delivery and postal service too.
"We will also start a service we are calling convenience service under which we will take care of our customers, domestic and office bill payments for a fee," Timilsina said.
For additional employment, highest preference will be given to the street children. Timilsina informed that Bitarak.com has agreed to use Prayas manpower in activities like folding and delivering magazines and other articles and Women in Floriculture, an organisation would also use them for flower delivery.
Business Service Aadhar (BSA) has provided Prayas with uniforms for the workers and will be providing strategic and advisory support in the future, says BSAs Director Ashutosh Tiwari.
http://www.kantipuronline.com/kpost_html/kp_business.htm#Former street children make Prayas
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| Bhunte |
Posted
on 19-Jun-03 02:36 AM
Ashu, good news! I was just talking to someone about the business opportunities in Nepal. Nepal need a program like 'afno rojgar afai srijana garaun' like the one by Jagaran Manch...
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| Bhunte |
Posted
on 19-Jun-03 02:38 AM
Also, I applaud your benevolent effort....
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| ashu |
Posted
on 19-Jun-03 03:25 AM
I forgot to thank Hari Dangol introducing me to Rewat Timilsina (a former street kid) at a wedding party last February. It was that conversation that got this ball rolling.
So, thanks Haricha.
oohi
ashu
ktm,nepal
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| ashu |
Posted
on 19-Jun-03 04:55 AM
Thanks Bhunte for your words.
oohi
ashu
ktm,nepal
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| ruck |
Posted
on 19-Jun-03 06:17 AM
Thanks Ashu for sharing.
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| isolated freak |
Posted
on 19-Jun-03 07:17 AM
I had read this piece this morning. Its a nice start for these kids, who otherwise go through various abuses on the hands of the police, bideshis and others. Its a nice start. I am glad that BSA is teaching hungry people how to fish, rather than provide them with the fish (ANCIENT CHINESE PROVERB).
BTW, what's the reaction of CWIN group? This PRAYAS seems like a breakaway faction of CWIN..or maybe I am wrong?
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| ashu |
Posted
on 19-Jun-03 09:48 AM
>>>BTW, what's the reaction of CWIN group? This PRAYAS seems like a breakaway faction of CWIN..or maybe I am wrong? <<<<
No, Prayash is NOT "a breakaway faction of CWIN", of for that matter, a breakaway
of any other group.
Prayash has ten members. It's a legally registered private company. The kids themselves put money into registration. The group has its own logo, designed by one of the members. The group's leader is Rewat Timilsina, who is orginally from Sarlahi zilla.
oohi
ashu
ktm,nepal
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| NepaliChora |
Posted
on 19-Jun-03 11:49 AM
Dear AshuJi,
I was overwhelmed with joy when I read your posting. The street kids always trouble me, not being able to do anything is even worse. When I was in Nepal, I used to hide my dinner and give it to the kids. My parents would probably be proud that I am giving food to the poor, but for some unknown reason I kept it a secret. I would quietly pack my dinner, take my bike and go to Durbarmarg to hand over the food to the kid. I remember Bhanu. He was from Panauti. He had a stepmother and his stepmother would not let him in the house unless he brings some money (on the rate of 20 rupees/day). The only place he could make some money was by begging. He used to go to school during school days in Panauti and would beg during summer and winter vacations. Other kids had different stories. Some of them did not have anyone to take care of them; some of them were lost their parents while they came in Kathmandu and never made it back. There were many sad stories. However, Bhanu was also honest and no other option but to be a street beggar and been optimistic despite being on the street 4/5 months a year.
These kids never received any better treatment from by-standers, by-passers or by police. These kids would hide when they see a police van.
I believe there are many more street kids in Kathmandu. I read a report that there are almost 20,000 homeless kids in Nepal. This is a heart breaking fact. If we do not take care of these kids now, it will be too late tomorrow.
Ashu ji I really applaud your effort. You a hero in my book for such a noble initiative.
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| Dilasha |
Posted
on 19-Jun-03 03:22 PM
Very interesting and commendable efforts of these kids. I wish them greater success in expanding it to the biggest level possible. And hats off to you and your staff at Business Service Adhar for encouraging and supporting this project Ashu. Way to go!!
Btw, I've always wondered if there's any kind of Waste Management Companies in Ktm and other bigger cities. I even brought this idea with my uncles to invest or start out a company like that which not only could be profitable but also advantageous for the environment as well as the people. Is it feasible?
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| noname |
Posted
on 19-Jun-03 04:18 PM
Ashu, very commendable effort!
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| salakjith |
Posted
on 19-Jun-03 05:36 PM
commendable and inspiring indeed. we need more ashus in nepal;)
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| SITARA |
Posted
on 19-Jun-03 06:04 PM
Ashu;
Commendable indeed!
Very interesting article. Is there a street children's advocacy group in Nepal? Here, I mean Nepali Government based and NOT a NGO-type project.
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| ashu |
Posted
on 20-Jun-03 02:27 AM
Thank you everyone for your kind words.
I appreciate them.
I posted all that info on Prayash here -- not to blow my trumpet (though blowing
it once in a while makes some people realize that I have a life outside of
sajha.com :-)) -- but to PRIMARILY emphasize that, despite the
khattam state of national politics (and we could go on and on about that!), there
ARE indeed interesting/challenging sano-sano opportunities to do some satisfying
work in Nepal.
This type of work could start out -- NOT as a changing-things-overnight kind, but as
a small-scale, enjoyable challenge which can be quickly scaled up for further success.
Tetti ho.
***************************
Nepalichora wrote:
"I read a report that there are almost 20,000 homeless kids in Nepal. This is a heart breaking fact. If we do not take care of these kids now, it will be too late tomorrow."
Yes.
*****************************
Dilasha wrote:
"Btw, I've always wondered if there's any kind of Waste Management Companies in Ktm and other bigger cities. I even brought this idea with my uncles to invest or start out a company like that which not only could be profitable but also advantageous for the environment as well as the people. Is it feasible?"
Dilasha, if you ever want to start such a business in urban towns in Nepal, let's be business partners. I do see a tremendous opportunity to provide such a service and make money -- running a good, solid, environmentally-sound waste management company across Nepal.
Mr. Jaya Dev Vaidya runs such a company in Chitawan. His company makes wasted plastic reusable. Likewise, Bishnu Thakali and Sarada Vaidya run a paper recycling plant in Kupondole. I could certainly put you in touch with some other small-scale, pro-business environmental initiatives and start-ups when you come here for a visit .
**********************
Sitara wrote:
"Is there a street children's advocacy group in Nepal? Here, I mean Nepali Government based and NOT a NGO-type project."
There are such groups, and some of them have done or are trying to do some good work. But their approach is NGO-ish, you know, always needing donors to run
programs.
Our value-added help to Prayash was to tell Rewat and his friend to GET OUT OF the NGO-cycle and go straight to the market to sell their skills and services, get better at those activities and stand on their own feet -- while using us a catalyst/mentor.
oohi
ashu
ktm,nepal
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| baljoshi |
Posted
on 20-Jun-03 11:34 AM
What a commendable effort.
These are the types of ventures I have lots of respect for. Sustainable, low cost, contribution to labor force and environment. I offer my open arm support should the group need any assistance.
I see a great potential in Nepal for "scietifically run" supply/distribution management infrastructure. If these kids can maintain sustainability I am sure they will succeed.
It is unfortunate that there are thousands of homeless kids and I hope more and more ventures like this pop up to help generate employment opportunities and better life for these kids.
My company last dashain was fortunate to be contribute to a program run by an Anthropologist "Dr. Rauniyar." He has a great model. He feeds the homeless kids in Ktm if the kids agree come back for free lessons offerred by Dr. Rauniyar himself.
I like the prayas model; established as a business initiative than non-profit initiative.
CHEERS !
BKJ
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