Part of my job is to work with Sana Kishan, our partner farmers’ group made up of 25 women who grow the veggies and rice for school lunch at Kopila Valley. It has been a year of tremendous growth for these women.

They used to wake up at 5 am every day to harvest their produce and sell it in the local markets. When our team introduced them to organic farming six years ago, some of the farmers were reluctant. How could growth be guaranteed without the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides? Their livelihoods were on the line, after all.

A woman holds a basket of greens from the garden and smiles at the camera.

But the women took the courageous leap to organic farming, and they now send their fresh daily harvests right to Kopila Valley School. Our Kopila Sustainability Team continues to offer agricultural support and marketing guidance for this new way of farming. The yields have been strong, and one farmer noted that “the food even started to taste better.”

Because of these growers, students at Kopila Valley School get to enjoy locally grown tomatoes, bitter gourd, cabbage, cauliflower, radish, beans, spinach, and more in their daily school lunch! The farmers’ generosity extends into the community too, currently hosting pregnant women who have suffered the loss of their homes after November’s earthquake.

This year, Sana Kishan achieved certification in the Participatory Guarantee System. That means the food they grow is organic, pesticide-free, and locally accountable. It’s healthy for the planet and for people.

The women also grew their business to include traditional basket and mat weaving, which they work on in the mornings and evenings around their farming schedule. They sell this new product in the local market to earn extra income to support themselves and their families.

“Our mothers and grandmothers used to weave these dhakiyas (baskets) and gundri (mats), and we learned how to make them at home from them.” — Syani Chaudhary, Sana Kishan farmer

This holiday season, your investment empowers the women farmers of Sana Kishan to practice organic farming practices while keeping traditions alive. You also ensure the students of Kopila Valley have the nutritious meals they need to grow healthy and strong.

THANK YOU for your investment! If you still wish to give to our GROW WITH US campaign, you can visit our donation link here.

Together we are growing a healthier, more educated, more empowered world.

Warmly,
Sunita

Sunita Bhandari
Sustainability Officer