For more than a decade, the Global Peace Foundation has supported families in forging sustainable solutions to the developmental challenges facing Nepal’s largest city. A recent project called Green Homes: Green Kathmandu is countering poor waste management, severe water pollution, and worsening air quality. The ongoing program empowers families with the knowledge and skills to transform their homes into eco-friendly properties. Participants engage in rooftop farming, rainwater harvesting, and other sustainable techniques that the Nepalese people take ownership of and use to further uplift their communities.
Seeing the tremendous need for sustainable development in Nepal’s largest city, Global Peace Foundation (GPF) Nepal collaborated with Kathmandu Metropolitan City Ward 5 and Ward 15 to launch the Green Homes: Green Kathmandu project in January 2023. The ongoing program utilizes “green homes” to counter the challenges of poor waste management, severe water pollution, and worsening air quality. Kathmandu lacks open spaces and sustainable agriculture, causing the price of fresh produce to skyrocket.
Over the last year, volunteers and staff of GPF Nepal have provided education and training on a variety of techniques to help citizens transform their homes into eco-friendly and sustainable properties. They learned about sustainable solid waste management, upcycling plastic waste to create new marketable products, making eco-friendly sanitary pads, rainwater harvesting, rooftop gardening, and sustainable farming techniques. Vital health education allowed them to also protect their household from waterborne diseases and reduce air pollution.
Anjali, a participant, expressed her gratitude for being a part of Green Homes: Green Kathmandu. She shared her reflection, saying:
I am dedicated to putting into practice everything I have learned. As a demonstration of my commitment to sustainability, I have sold my petrol car and purchased an electric vehicle. Additionally, I have incorporated eco-friendly products into my business, selling 150 soaps and 50 liters of liquid soap each month at my shop. Furthermore, I have implemented rooftop farming to ensure a steady supply of vegetables for my family.
I am deeply thankful to Global Peace Foundation Nepal and Engage Nepal for providing me with this invaluable opportunity to make a positive impact on both my community and the environment.
Sarita was another beneficiary of the training provided by GPF Nepal. She shared:
In the past year of my involvement in the Green Homes: Green Kathmandu project, I have undergone significant personal and professional transformation. Initially, I struggled with shyness and lacked confidence in interacting with others. However, through my participation in the project, I have learned to overcome these challenges, build confidence, and develop essential teamwork and networking skills.
Working alongside my team, I have successfully produced and sold liquid soap within our community. Additionally, I have embraced sustainable practices such as rooftop farming using home-produced compost and waste reuse. By selling non-biodegradable waste and upcycling plastic products, I have also generated income. Together with my team, we have sold 302 units of liquid soap, with a growing demand from friends and relatives.
I am immensely grateful for the support provided by this project, which has not only empowered me personally but has also contributed to my livelihood.
GPF Nepal is dedicated to contributing to the country’s sustainable development. With ongoing participation in events like the Regional Conference on Rainwater Harvesting and Management and World Water Day, GPF Nepal partnered in forums, service projects, and outdoor youth leadership programs to help young people and families connect with nature and the environment.
The original post appears on Global Peace Foundation. Global Peace Foundation is an international non-sectarian, non-partisan, nonprofit organization, which promotes an innovative, values-based approach to peacebuilding, guided by the vision of One Family under God. GPF engages and organizes a global network of public and private-sector partners who develop community, national, and regional peacebuilding models as the foundation for ethical and cohesive societies. Dr. Hyun Jin Preston Moon is the founder and chairman of the Global Peace Foundation.