Making a difference in Nepal

Paul Chhetri: Profile
 

I am 35 years old, the youngest son of missionary parents, married to Reema and we are blessed with a five year-old son, Pratik.

In obedience to God's calling I returned to Nepal, my native country, to serve in TEAM mission hospital as an administrator. While working there I experienced rural life and the problems faced by poor marginalised communities.

In September 2008 I joined UMN as a team leader for The UMN Mugu cluster, the least developed district in Nepal. As a cluster leader I ensure that all cluster activities are focused on the achievement of UMN Strategic Plan and provide spiritual leadership, coaching and mentoring to the cluster team. I oversee six technical officers who work in the Community Focus Programme with our partner organisations.

Overcoming challenges

One of our major challenges was to ensure that our partner organisations worked as effectively as possible. Most of our partners needed help with their organisational, accounting and management policies.

After many training sessions and close assistance, all our partner organisations have a newly developed five-year strategy and organisational policy, enabling the successful cooperation necessary to implement UMN's strategies.

Implementing change

In Mugu most people don't have any money to meet even their basic needs and consequently have very little or no purchasing power. In response to this, UMN have helped to promote the production of cash crops.

It is hoped that the expansion in local food production for local consumption overtime will lead to an increased purchasing power and improved livelihood. This, as well as the improvement in education systems is considered an essential method of developing this community.

Future prospects

UMN hope to build strong, efficient, and effective cluster teams to address the root causes of poverty in Mugu. We not only continue to work and encourage the local church to serve the marginalised community, but also hope to assist in building a Christian NGO in Mugu.

On a personal level, I would like to do a PhD in rural development/rural economics to provide more efficient development proposals.

I continue to grow as a leader, striving to serve marginalised communities and reach out to them with the love of Jesus Christ.

Here is an account from Mugu

A year ago, a month-old boy who was severely anaemic and malnourished, was discharged from the Mugu District Hospital. The child's parents, who are both disabled, were informed that the hospital could no longer treat him and that he would soon die.

This information came as a blow to his parents, shattering their hope of saving their only child. The only possible way to save the child was to take him to the government hospital in Nepalgunj. But his parents were poor farmers and were unable to afford they journey; they were forced to beg in the street for help.

A pastor from the local church noticed the crying mother holding her dying son in her arms and immediately took them to the church. UMN staff were requested to support the child and after three months of intensive care and prayer from UMN staff and the church, the child miraculously regained his health.

Thanks to UMN and the church's care and support, the child is now very healthy and is growing up happily in his village. Moreover, the family have been experiencing the love of Jesus in their lives.