1. Construction of Shree Laxmi Lower Secondary School – Tanahu (2012)
The Shree Laxmi Lower Secondary School Construction Project in Tanahu was an important step toward improving educational infrastructure in rural Nepal. Before the project, the school lacked adequate classrooms, making it difficult for students to receive a quality education. ECARDS-Nepal, in collaboration with local authorities and donor agencies, successfully constructed a new school building that provided students with a safe and well-equipped learning environment.
The construction project involved building classrooms, installing proper sanitation facilities, and ensuring access to clean drinking water. ECARDS-Nepal prioritized earthquake-resistant construction techniques to ensure the building's durability and safety, considering Nepal’s vulnerability to natural disasters. The project not only improved infrastructure but also created a space where students could focus on learning without worrying about their safety.
Additionally, ECARDS-Nepal conducted training sessions for teachers and school staff, focusing on classroom management and disaster preparedness. By investing in both infrastructure and human resources, the project contributed to a sustainable improvement in the quality of education in the region. Today, the school continues to serve as a valuable educational hub for children in Tanahu, demonstrating the long-term impact of ECARDS-Nepal’s work in rural development.
2. Construction of Chandrawati Secondary School Building – Tanahu (2010)
Recognizing the urgent need for better educational infrastructure in rural areas, ECARDS-Nepal undertook the Chandrawati Secondary School Building Construction Project in Tanahu. Before the project, students were studying in makeshift classrooms with limited facilities, which negatively impacted their learning experience. This initiative focused on providing a modern, well-equipped school building, ensuring that students had access to a safe and conducive learning environment.
The project involved the construction of classrooms, staff offices, and sanitation facilities, ensuring that the school met national education infrastructure standards. ECARDS-Nepal also installed clean drinking water stations to improve students' health and hygiene. The initiative was designed with a long-term vision, ensuring that the school could accommodate an increasing number of students as the community grew.
Beyond physical infrastructure, ECARDS-Nepal worked closely with school administrators and the local government to enhance educational quality. This included providing training for teachers, introducing student-friendly teaching materials, and implementing disaster preparedness plans. The success of this project contributed significantly to improving literacy rates in the region and demonstrated ECARDS-Nepal’s commitment to education as a foundation for sustainable development.
3. Developing Green Road Corridor & Resin Value Addition – Ramechhap, Okhaldhunga, Khotang (2014)
The Green Road Corridor and Resin Value Addition Project was designed to improve rural road infrastructure while promoting environmental conservation. This project focused on building eco-friendly roads in Ramechhap, Okhaldhunga, and Khotang, ensuring better connectivity between remote villages and market hubs. By using bio-engineering techniques such as roadside plantation and erosion control measures, ECARDS-Nepal minimized the environmental impact of road construction.
A key aspect of this project was the value addition of resin production, which benefited local communities dependent on forest-based livelihoods. ECARDS-Nepal provided technical training to farmers and resin producers, helping them improve their processing techniques and gain better market prices. The initiative also supported the establishment of small-scale resin processing units, reducing dependency on raw resin exports and increasing local employment opportunities.
Additionally, the project improved transportation and access to essential services for rural communities. With better roads, farmers could transport their goods more efficiently, school children had safer routes to schools, and medical services became more accessible. This project not only enhanced infrastructure but also contributed to economic empowerment and environmental sustainability, making it a model for future rural development initiatives.
4. Community Water Supply and Sanitation Project – Baitadi (2006–2009)
Water scarcity and poor sanitation have been long-standing issues in rural Nepal. To address this, ECARDS-Nepal implemented the Community Water Supply and Sanitation Project in Baitadi, aiming to improve access to clean drinking water and sanitation facilities. The project targeted communities where people had to walk long distances to fetch water, leading to significant hardships, particularly for women and children.
The project involved the construction of multiple water supply systems, including piped water connections, water storage tanks, and community taps. This significantly reduced the time spent fetching water and improved hygiene standards. Additionally, ECARDS-Nepal conducted community awareness programs on the importance of water conservation, sanitation, and hygiene practices.
As a part of the initiative, ECARDS-Nepal also built household and school toilets, ensuring that sanitation standards improved across the community. The project led to a significant reduction in waterborne diseases and improved overall public health. By addressing both infrastructure and behavioral aspects, ECARDS-Nepal created a sustainable model for water and sanitation management in rural Nepal.
5. Implementation of Food Security Program – Baitadi (2005)
Food security is a major concern in many remote areas of Nepal, where communities often face challenges in accessing sufficient and nutritious food. The Food Security Program in Baitadi aimed to improve agricultural productivity, enhance food storage methods, and promote sustainable farming practices. ECARDS-Nepal worked directly with local farmers to introduce climate-resilient crops and efficient farming techniques, ensuring that they could produce enough food to sustain their families.
One of the key components of the project was training farmers in modern agricultural techniques, including organic farming, soil fertility management, and improved irrigation practices. This enabled farmers to increase their crop yields while maintaining soil health for future generations. ECARDS-Nepal also introduced community grain storage systems, helping farmers store surplus crops and reduce post-harvest losses.
Furthermore, the project facilitated market linkages between farmers and buyers, ensuring that surplus produce could be sold at fair prices. By strengthening the entire agricultural value chain—from production to market access—this initiative empowered local farmers, reduced dependency on food aid, and enhanced community resilience against food shortages.