Overview
Nepal, a landlocked country, is bordered by India and China. The Himalayas in the north contain eight mountains that ascend higher than 26,000 feet, including the Sagarmatha (Mount Everest), the world’s tallest mountain, at 29,034 feet. Elevation regulates Nepal’s climate. At an elevation of 5,000 feet, temperatures are moderate; but extreme hot and cold temperatures are experienced at lower and higher elevations, respectively.

Eighty percent of the labor force is employed in the agriculture industry–which accounts for 40 percent of gross national product. The tourism industry is the second largest employer, but ongoing violence and political instability hamper the industry’s growth. Corruption is widespread. Nepalese complain about having to bribe officials to gain everything from electricity to a job. Future economic development will depend on political stability and foreign investment.

Nepal is an impoverished nation. Nearly 31 percent of the people live below the poverty line, and underemployment is more than 42 percent. Nepal lacks scientific agricultural practices that would result in higher cash–crop yields. Illiteracy is prevalent, and most literate Nepalese do not have proper education or training to perform higher-level tasks. Remote communities do not have adequate water supplies, electricity, education structures, health-care systems, infrastructure, or proper housing.

Some 260,000 Nepalese children are engaged in child labor. Fifty-six percent of children suffer from various forms of malnutrition. In the urban areas, approximately5,000 children live on the streets.

Civil unrest continues to influence the government’s ability to provide basic services. World Vision, therefore has placed emphasis on addressing the essential needs of Nepalese children and families by focusing on nutrition, health care, and education. World Vision also plans to launch additional ADPs in the poor communities of Kaski, Lamjung, Surhet, and Biratnagar.

World Vision’s Work
World Vision’s work in Nepal began in 1982, along with local nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), to serve children and families. These efforts included establishing a child sponsorship program and developing infrastructure and agriculture in poor rural areas west of Katmandu.

World Vision also improved medical treatment offered at hospitals and assisted in relief and development efforts serving refugees from the Kingdom of Bhutan. World Vision supported NGOs addressing the needs of survivors of the 1983 flood and 1988 earthquake.

World Vision is working with HIV-infected people to ensure their integration into the larger community. Many Nepalese girls age 12 to 16 are sold to Indian brothels. World Vision aims to counter child trafficking by advocating for children rights and protection and by providing alternative income-generating projects. In some villages, child trafficking is the main source of income. Girls are sold by relatives or through brokers. They return some years later both physically and mentally tortured, and often many of the girls will have contracted HIV.

Many Nepalese farmers still use 18th century farming methods. There is little technical knowledge among the people in using alternatives sources of energy. World Vision works with farmers to help them develop
self-sufficient farming techniques, and become proficient in using alternative energy sources such as solar, wind, and water.