This story is part of a series marking Habitat for Humanity’s 40 years of building homes and building solutions in Asia and the Pacific.

DHANGADHI, Nepal (September 2023) — Without a secure and affordable home, Mohan might have remained as an agricultural worker. Low wages, poor working conditions and a lack of social security would have been his lot, like the millions of people employed in Nepal’s informal sector.

A key conversation, however, opened the door to lasting change. Now Mohan teaches in a government school and advocates for the rights of marginalized communities. Home is a two-story house that he shares with his wife and two of his children.

Mohan recalled meeting a staff member of Habitat for Humanity Nepal in February 2001. He learned about Habitat’s partnership with low-income families to build decent homes. “It was as if the field had spoken to me, and the wind had delivered a message.”

Together with several families, his family worked with Habitat Nepal to build new homes in Dhangandi, a sub-metropolitan city in the far western Sudurpaschim province. During the five-month construction process, Mohan and the other future homeowners encouraged and supported one another.

Mohan’s two-room home was built on a 3-feet, solid stone foundation that was considered ambitious in those days. The brick walls were plastered with cement with timber beams supporting the house’s structure.

More than two decades after moving in, their house is now two-story high with eight rooms and two kitchens. “As our family grew, we added more rooms while keeping the original wooden windows,” says Mohan. His family rents out the ground floor and uses the rooftop for storing grains, drying laundry and taking in sunshine during the winter months.

There are other areas of growth. “Despite belonging to a marginalized community, I have earned the respect of others over time, thanks to those who gave me the courage to pursue my dreams.” Mohan beamed when he spoke about his children Khagendra, 20, and Dichha, 12. His eldest son Nirmal Kumar lives on his own due to his job.

While Mohan is a teacher, he is passionate about advocating for the rights of vulnerable people such as former bonded laborers. “No one should be deprived of a home,” he declares. He also calls for improved access to health services and vocational training for these communities.

Sharing about his homeownership experience, he says, “It was a challenging journey, but the support and guidance of Habitat for Humanity Nepal gave me the strength to persevere. Today, I am proud to stand in front of my own home and marvel at how far I have come.”

Habitat for Humanity has been working in Nepal since 1997. In fiscal year 2022, more than 230,000 Nepali individuals have partnered with Habitat Nepal to build or improve a place they call home. Visit habitatnepal.org or connect on facebook.com/habitatnepal/.

This story is part of a series marking Habitat for Humanity’s 40 years of building homes and building solutions in Asia and the Pacific.

DHANGADHI, Nepal (August 2023) — Over two decades of living in their Habitat home, Jodu and his wife Sita welcomed their third child and the family survived a devastating earthquake.

Jodu could recall the year — 1999 — when he came to Dhangadhi, a sub-metropolitan city in Nepal’s far west province of Sudurpaschim, in search of work. He sent for Sita and their two young sons after he found a job as an employee at a hotel. While his family lived together in a rental house, he knew it was not a long-term solution.

A few years later, Jodu met a staff member of Habitat for Humanity Nepal in Dhangadhi and learned that the housing nonprofit organization partners with low-income families to build homes. With a loan of 125,000 Nepali rupees (US$945) from Habitat Nepal’s microfinance partner, Jodu and his family began to construct their home. They were among seven families in Dhangadhi who partnered with Habitat Nepal that provided technical support for home construction. Jodu and Sita contributed “sweat equity,” or their own labor, by working on their home. People from their community — future homeowners like them — also chipped in to help.

While Jodu has not expanded his home, he is confident about its resilience. His house remained intact despite being hit by the devastating 2015 earthquake in Nepal. With a secure, stable home, Jodu has advanced in his career. He is now a manager at the three-star Rubus hotel in Dhangadi and his income supports his family of five.

“It’s hard to express how grateful I am to have partnered with Habitat for Humanity Nepal,” Jodu says. “They helped me build a home for my family, and it has made all the difference. Our family is thriving and I am so proud of what we have accomplished.”

Habitat for Humanity has been working in Nepal since 1997. In fiscal year 2022, more than 230,000 Nepali individuals have partnered with Habitat Nepal to build or improve a place they call home. Visit habitatnepal.org or connect on facebook.com/habitatnepal/.

Sumi has lived in Duaripara, an informal settlement in northwest Dhaka, Bangladesh, since she was a child. Trained in basic masonry, carpentry skills and first aid, she also learned how to put out fires — a hazard in densely populated communities such as Duaripara. Firefighters have reported delays in responding to fires in informal settlements due to the narrow streets and lack of hydrants or other sources of water to extinguish the fire.

When a fire broke out in March 2023, Sumi and fellow members of the community water, sanitation and hygiene committee or CWC sprang into action. Not only did they help to evacuate people, but they also took the initiative to collect rice, potatoes, and lentils as well as clothing for people affected by the fire. Sumi has helped to lead the kind of community participation and innovative solutions that Habitat for Humanity seeks to scale up through policy and systems change through the newly launched Home Equals global advocacy campaign.

According to Sumi, nobody in the community uses fire extinguishers, which are expensive. She wishes more residents were trained in fire safety. “When a fire breaks out in our community, only a few people come forward to help.”

“From a young age, I was brought up to help other people in need. It’s a matter of conscience,” she says.
As garbage strewn around the narrow streets are a trip hazard for pregnant women, Sumi encourages people in her community to dispose of waste properly. She also teaches them how to turn vegetable and fruit scraps into fertilizer for plants.

In addition, Sumi conducts monthly training sessions for 15 to 20 people to improve hygiene standards, organizes community cleaning once a month, and monitors the state of water and sanitation facilities in her community, along with other CWC members.

Each day, after she is done with household chores, Sumi and other CWC members walk around the community to see how they can help others. Often, Sumi will pick up garbage that clogs the drainage system. She also mediates marital conflicts and advises parents about adolescents’ behavioral changes. “I like that people come to me with their problems. If I can solve the problem, I feel happy for the community and myself.”

She has her own challenges. “I have a water supply problem in my house. When there is no water, the electricity bill suddenly rises so I get water once a week. I am suffering from it, and I feel sad.” She buys filtered water for her family, refilling four times a month and paying a total of 500 taka (almost US$5). This is a more affordable option compared to the 20,000-taka fee for connection to a government water line and paying by the meter according to the amount used. She also grapples with the lack of gas supply. “Sometimes, there is no gas to cook. I have to wake up at 4 a.m. to cook meals for the whole day. The following night, I (have to) cook again; it’s a big pain.”

Despite the challenges, Sumi appreciates that her community is comprised of people from different places. “People in our community are active. They have love and fellowship. They stay together and share each other’s suffering.”

Together with other members of the CWC, Sumi is active in identifying problems such as child labor and child marriage. They also help residents access basic services. “When there is no water in the line, we discuss how to contact WASA (Water Supply and Sewerage Authority) and bring water.” As a committee, the group is heard by the officials at WASA. “So, we don’t go alone because they don’t listen. If we go together, they listen to us and do something.”

“We are trying to get water for everyone. With all the committee members, we are going ahead to make this area good, clean, and safe,” Sumi says.

In Sumi’s house, a narrow staircase leads to a small loft area where she has meals with her daughter Chadni, 17, and her son Jim, 10. “The heart of my home is my son and daughter. When they return home, we have lunch together...I feel good and peaceful,” Sumi says. While she loves staying in Duaripara, she would send her children to a better place to live if she had a choice.