By: Shelby Washington
With hundreds of thousands of people without homes in Nepal, homelessness is a major issue. The Manav Sewa Ashram (MSA) is a nonprofit organization that has been providing food and shelter for the elderly, people experiencing homelessness, and those with physical and mental disabilities since 2012. Headquartered in Hetauda, MSA expanded to open 10 branches in Nepal, including the Bharatpur, Chitwan branch that was established in 2016. This branch was housing and feeding 64 homeless people each year and employing 12 staff members and three volunteers. However, the kitchen space was becoming very congested and could no longer accommodate individuals with wheelchairs. The dining area was partially outdoors, exposing diners to cold and rain and other unpleasant weather conditions.
Lions of District 325-R wanted to address these problems and came up with a plan to construct a one-story kitchen and dining hall that would be more comfortable for those visiting the MSA. Local Lions and the MSA collected over US$30,000 for the project. With their contributions and a US$99,134 Hunger Grant from Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF), they were able to build a 91-feet by 39-feet kitchen and dining hall. The building has full electricity, toilets, a hand washing station, furniture and kitchenware, including a rice steamer and water filtration system. This project has provided a hygienic, spacious area for people to eat nutritious meals.
This hall was specifically designed to offer an enjoyable space to lend feeding services to people that are homeless, elderly or have disabilities in the ashram. Nita KC, a volunteer at MSA says, “Volunteering in the new kitchen has been a rewarding experience. The facilities are top-notch, and it’s inspiring to see how many people came together to support those in need. The Lions have truly created a space that embodies the spirit of service and community.”
Although the sole purpose of this building was to offer food and housing to people in need, it has become so much more than that. Bikash Thapa, the Ward 3 Chairperson of Bharatpur, raves about the new space saying, “The new dining and kitchen hall has become a central hub for our community. It’s more than just a place to eat; it’s where we come together to share stories, celebrate events, and support each other. Thanks to the Lions, we now have a space that truly feels like the heart of our neighborhood.”
Those who were already residing at MSA have directly benefited from having more space for wheelchairs and for everyone to eat indoors when the weather is unfavorable. Since the population of unhoused people in the area continues to grow, it is essential that this space is now able to accommodate more people in need. The number of residents is expected to increase from 64 to 100.
LCIF Hunger Grants support strengthening infrastructure and providing equipment for Lions’ projects focused on alleviating hunger. Initiatives like these can bring positivity to local communities, changing lives for the better.
Learn more about LCIF Hunger Grants..
