Article by Bibhuti Bhattarai
Founding Teach the Future Young Voices Council Member and NGFP -Young Voice Award Project Runner Up 2024
I had a dream project to help girls and women in Nepal learn about the dangers of chemical fertilizers and about the use natural compost instead.
I knew this would be a big challenge, as I needed the support of an implementing agency and funds to make it happen. I was able to convince a Biratnagar-based grassroot organization, Ambe Murari Sewa Kendra (AMSK), to help me turn my project into reality after discussing my idea with them. A major breakthrough happened in October 2024 when I was awarded a runner-up of the Teach the Future's Next Generation Foresight Practitioner- Young Voices (NGFP-YV) Awards 2024, as my Award application was based on my project. With the resource and implementation issues sorted out, we were able to train the girls and women in the first week of January 2025.
Why This Project Matters
In many areas of Nepal, farmers use chemical fertilizers and pesticides without realizing how dangerous they can be to the environment. These chemicals can pollute the water, harm the soil, and damage crops. I was more concerned about the impact of these chemicals on women and girls, due to their innocence. Their health can be more sensitive to harmful substances, especially during pregnancy or menstruation. Nepali news channels increasingly report a lot of vegetables and fruits found containing chemicals more than what is considered safe for consumption. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), pesticides could be one of the risks for cancer and other serious health issues. In Nepal, many women have experienced birth defects and miscarriages because of being exposed to these chemicals. Sadly, a majority of them are not even aware of these dangers.
That's why I wanted to conceptualize a project to help spread awareness and provide a safer and easier alternative like composting.
Project Execution/Outcome
Following the project plan, AMSK helped implement the project in Biratnagar, the second largest city in Nepal. Our goal was to train 10 mothers and 10 girls initially and share important information about the risks of chemical fertilizers and the advantages of composting. Hence, we brought in an expert to lecture about the risks of chemical usage, and organize a workshop where participants could learn how to produce and use compost.
As a result, we successfully trained these 20 women and girls in making and using compost, thereby empowering them with the knowledge to protect their health and the environment. This project, a collaborative effort with AMSK and Gayatri Secondary School, has not only made a positive impact on the community but also helped us to provide women and girls with life-changing knowledge that could help make their lives better.
Reflections
When I first thought of this project, I felt a mix of excitement and nervousness. Without assurance of resource, I wasn't sure how to kick things off to actually make it happen. I knew I needed guidance and support, and winning the Teach the Future NGFP Runner-up Award boosted my confidence to undertake this first project of mine successfully.
I felt very happy and proud as I watched the project continue to unfold. Seeing photos and videos from the workshop and hearing stories from AMSK team members about the participants' enthusiasm toward learning new skills made me realize that we were truly making a difference. But, this journey is just the beginning for me. I aspire to undertake more projects in the future, aiming to reach more women and girls to have a larger impact.
This experience has taught me that even a small idea can lead to significant change in communities. What started as a simple thought has directly empowered some women and girls' skills that help protect their health and the environment. I envision a future where chemical-free farming is widely practiced in Nepal, and every girl and woman has the knowledge they need to stay safe.
Bibhuti Bhattarai