Whilst being in Nepal I have had the privilege of meeting and working alongside the Chepang people of Chitwan, a remote group residing in the hills, fully dependent on the forest surrounding them. Most people rely on agriculture and small livestock to make a living, their assets being their strongest currency. The average family size is around 6-8 people all living in the same cramped room, we even met families of 12. Mothers had been as young as 14, with child marriage being the communities normality. The young Chepang women may have been the most inspiring people I had ever met. After a recent NGO intervention, child marriage has drastically decreased and women empowerment is on the rise. However, other areas are still in crisis; reaching the nearest health post, water source or even school can take up to 5 hours. My friends and I completed 7 hours of uphill trekking on our first day just to reach these communities. It has been an eye-opening experience and has made me truly appreciate the privileged lifestyle I have been able to enjoy.

This Christmas I'm asking my friends and family to spare some of their holiday budget on helping to raise money for the Chepang people. I'll be heading up with my team to start active-case finding for TB in the next coming months. Through my just-giving page, I'm hoping to bring up some new clothes, supplies for local schools and waterproofs for the upcoming monsoon season. Every little helps and all the money I raise will go straight to the Chepang communities of Chitwan. I'll post updates on here with what I have bought and how your money has helped.

If you would like to read a little more about the Chepang people then please follow these links:

https://www.indigenousvoice.com/en/indigenous-peoples/23/chepang.html

http://kathmandupost.ekantipur.com/news/2016-01-02/the-chepang-people-of-chitwan-and-their-conversion-to-christianity.html

https://kathmandoodles.blog/2019/01/07/the-chepang-community-inspiring-women/

http://kathmandupost.ekantipur.com/news/2018-11-20/pmo-directs-pregnant-girl-12-be-brought-to-kathmandu-for-safe-delivery.html