support for our communities: bote Village

The Bote people are one of the original ethnic groups indigenous to Meghauli. They have subsisted on the Rapti River as fisherfolk, and boat people for millennia. Since the formation of the Chitwan National Park in 1973, access to the river has been limited. On the border of the National Park, a small community was established.

Over the past ten years, a major farming project has helped improve life in Andrauli, Meghauli, where the Bote have congregated. This project was made possible through a partnership between Clinic Nepal and Project Nepal Gibraltar. It has focused on helping the Bote Tribe by giving them land and supporting their farming efforts.

As part of the project, 18 Bote families received land, with each family getting between 5 to 10 kattha to farm. With this land, they have started growing important crops like corn, rice, and mustard. These crops provide food for their families, and any extra produce can be sold for income. Growing mustard has also allowed them to make their own cooking oil, making them more self-sufficient.

Beyond farming, the project has helped families manage their finances. Each family saves 200 Nepalese Rupees (about $1.82 USD) every month in a local savings and credit organization, which also offers low-interest loans to support them. This system ensures they can borrow money when needed and repay loans responsibly.

Housing conditions have also improved. Families have moved from basic mud huts to stronger homes with metal roofs, and some even have concrete floors. Education has also progressed, with more children going to school. Out of 31 school-aged children in the village, 20 are now attending school regularly. In the past, many dropped out after grade five, now more students are completing grade 10 and even continuing to grades eleven and twelve.

This farming project has made a big difference in the lives of the Bote Tribe by improving their income, homes, and education. By providing land, knowledge, and financial support, the project has helped families build a better and more secure future.