Two Nepali students in Lake Forest College in Chicago, USA have said they would spend three months from July to help women who have been hit by the insurgency gain economic independence, a local Chicago newspaper NewsSun said.

Suman Gautam (left) and Annada Rajbhandary. Photo source: NewsSun

Suman Gautam (left) and Annada Rajbhandary. Photo source: NewsSun
The plan has come up as Lake Forest College students prepare to move out of their dorms and embark on their three-month summer sabbaticals to beaches and part-time jobs. They would be working in Chitwan district in their 30–day long project.

Suman Gautam and Annada Rajbhandary plan to teach needed survival skills to those affected by the Maoist insurgency. They have received a grant of US$10,000 from the Kathryn Wasserman Davis 100 Projects for Peace programmes for their project.

All students from colleges and universities participating in the Davis United World College Scholars Program were invited to submit a plan for their own grassroots projects for peace that the students would implement during the summer.

Though the students are in the US for higher studies, the one common bond both students shared was a love for their war-torn nation, and wanting to repair the thousands of lives that have been shattered by the decade long conflict.

“The women who live in that nation have been victimized for so long that we had to do something to help them out,” Gautam said.

“Nearly 100 incidents occurred in the district during the insurgency that forced families out of their homes in search of safe havens,” he said. “We have too much pride in our country to let our people be ignored.”

“Women have no power other than the duty in their homes,” Rajbhandary said. “They are limited in reading and education. Without their husbands around, it’s tough for them to provide for their children by themselves.”

With the assistance of the Red Cross, the students plan to recruit 35 families to receive income-generating training in the areas of cotton weaving and animal husbandry. Those enrolled in the program are also expected to receive low-interest loans that will help them start a business of their choice. At the conclusion of their visit, the Chitwan District Red Cross will take over the project and replicate the funds.

“The time is right to introduce such a program in Nepal,” Gautam said. nepalnews.com ia May 10 07