INTRO
Established in March 2000 by Surya Prasad Koirala, HImshikhar Eco Foundation Nepal has gone through many transformations to reach its current stage. Originally an organisation that solely recognised and supported other development work, the foundation has, over the years, worked on a variety of development programs in Nepal, from education to healthcare, and it is only recently that the foundation has chosen to focus on organic farming and eco tourism, identifying it as a key means of helping rural communities attain sustainable and long term development goals.
Begining
In 2000 HIMSFA was first registered as an NGO with the Social Welfare Council in Kathmandu. The foundation focused on recognizing and awarding projects that had considerable impacts on the welfare and development of Nepali communities. Two year later the foundation came into contact with Bajra, a dutch NGO that worked to build schools in rural Nepali communities. Inspired by the work of Bajra, Surya Prasad Koirala, decided that he would return something to his natal village Basantapur, located 4 hours east of Kathmandu. With the help of Bajra and other donors, HIMSFA started its work by building a free school for disabled children of the village. The school became so popular that it eventually opened its doors to all students.
Pushed by the success of the school, HIMSFA continued its work in the community and started the construction of a clinic. Aided by Shanti Sewa Griha, an organizing working towards the destigamtization of leprosy, the Patan Hospital, and 13 volunteers from the netherlands; HIMSFA was able to build a small clinic to cater to the basic medical needs of the community.
Maoist Interference and Middle Period
HIMSFA’s work was cut short, however, with the growth of the Maoist insurgency in the country. Drawn by the presence of international volunteers and funding, Maoist leaders demanded that HIMSFA hand over a portion of its funding. Wanting to remain neutral in the transforming political landscape, Surya decided that it would be wiser to halt further development projects in the area, and refused to collaborate with the Maoist movement. For the next few years, HIMSFA’s activities came to a halt as the foundation reviewed its strategy and work plan. In 2007 the foundation started a small scale program distributing first aid kits to schools around the Kathmandu area. Supported in part by the army officers wives club, the project was able to distribute 23 first aid kits to government run schools in the Kathmandu district. In 2008 the project was halted due to a lack of funding.
Reviving the Foundation
It was only in 2020 that Suranjan Koirala son of Surya Prasad Koirala have a thought on reviving HIMSFA and get back to his father native village with a new approach and vision to its work. Based on the idea that in order to nurture sustainable development and growth in local communities the foundation must first tackle the individual needs and health of its populations, the foundation decided to focus its work on organic farming and eco tourism.
Our Vison
Create a healthy and sustainable environment free of chemical pesticides and fertilizers
Train and educate local farmers on organic farming practices
Support local rural populations by showing the economic potential and opportunities that are available in the communities
Provide basic infrastructure to local communities for sustainable growth and development
Create a number of eco friendly projects
Organize a approach to women empowerment, education and child development.
Create infrastructure that is beneficial to rural communities such as clinics, libraries, schools