Strategies for Collaborative Community Development
It has now been more than a year of brick production, and we are more inspired by the potential of these Compressed Stabilized Earth Blocks (CSEBs) than ever before. In a year, we have made more than 60,000 bricks, built a school and now have a community center and orphanage project on the horizon. We …
Last year, just a few weeks after the earthquake, this field was filled with thousands of displaced Nepalis living in tents and awaiting aid from the government. UNICEF, WHO, CARE, World Vision and every other major international aid organization had headquarters here to provide food, water and sanitation to locals without a home. Today, I walked …
In Nawalpur, the closest trading town to Takure where I live, is a small room where Chitra Kumari sits at her desk. Her job is to manage the accounts for more than 740 women around the region that receive savings and loans services through her cooperative. This organization has developed over the last five years, and …
I am not a fan of big machines. Bulldozers, cranes, 18-wheelers, aircraft carriers, whatever. They scare me. Maybe it's that they have so much power, or that they at times lack finesse. Overall, I would rarely invite a big machine onto my property. But this last week, that is exactly what we did. In order …
In the last month, hundreds of families around the Nawalpur VDC in Sindhupalchok received 50,000 Nepali Rupees (about USD $500) each. After more than a year and a half waiting for government aid, there is a sense of relief and excitement at the money finally arriving. But what does it really mean? In Takure, where …
As we respond to the earthquake in Nepal, Conscious Impact must decide how to structure our work. Are we a non-profit or a for-profit? And what does that even mean? To many, being a non-profit (also sometimes referred to as a charity or NGO), means that you are a do-gooder, motivated by social service. For-profits, on …
Continue reading "Non-Profit or For-Profit: How Best to Serve in Nepal"
As I work during this month of October to attain great personal holistic health, I have been staying active, eating healthy food, drinking lots of water and resting when necessary. I feel more energized than I did just 3 weeks ago, and I feel blessed to be in good physical shape. But what about the …
Continue reading "One Month to Health: Mental, Spiritual, Emotional"
This morning, I thought I would share 3 simple recommendations from this month: a favorite book, an inspiring documentary and a place I think everyone should visit. So here it goes! 1. A Book: The Good Food Revolution by Will Allen Though I have not yet even finished this book, I still have to recommend it to …
Now almost two weeks into my Month of Health, I am feeling great. So far, I have been eating well every day (fresh fruits and vegetables) and drinking plenty of water. No alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, chemicals, drugs or processed sugar. I can feel the difference already. But just water and food is not enough for …
Continue reading "One Month to Health: Stress, Sleep and Exercise"
Now that I am back in the United States and exploring options for work, I find myself each day asking: What is the most direct and effective way that I can work for positive social change here in the U.S? In this exploration, I am continuously pulled back to the garden. An unusual place for …
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