Reaching the Unreached

Xavier Network has been working with the Nepal Jesuit Social Institute (NJSI) since the Nepal earthquake three years ago. The work has gone beyond the reconstruction of the earthquake damage and now their two main goals are empowering women and “reaching the unreached”.

With support from Xavier Network, NJSI are currently constructing a women’s centre in one of the remotest areas of Sindhupalchowk to provide a place for “Mujuwa Sawalamban Women’s Group” to meet. The centres provide a place for women to “go beyond their boundaries”, a chance to work together as a community, explore new activities and receive training in new skills. The total number of women centres constructed by NJSI now totals eighteen.

Before construction begins, the land is always blessed by a local priest. This is a chance for the community to come together and pray for all those who will be involved in the building, and for the construction process to go smoothly. Once complete, building work always concludes with an inauguration which is the official handover of the building from NJSI to the community of women in the presence of the local government. It is usually a large celebration with the beneficiaries expressing their gratitude to Xavier Network and NJSI.

Blessing the first stone of a women’s centre

The women’s centres are also sometimes used as medical centres. On the 2^nd May this year, NJSI conducted a one-day free general medical checkup at Chapadi, Ramechap women’s centre. This benefitted 102 people who came from nearby villages and were freely prescribed medicine.

This article references the NJSI April-June 2018 newsletter. All photos credited to NJSI.