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Jagriti International Programs: Awakening
Journeys
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| Nepal: Mountains, Meditation,
Magic |
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| Country |
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Cities to be Visited |
| Kathmandu, Pokhra, Chitwan |
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Duration |
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Participants |
| Mixed (male and female), all ages |
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Country Context |
The "roof of the world," home to
Mt. Everest, the highest mountain peak on earth, Nepal
is one of the world's most incredible countries, filled
with geographical wonders and ethnological diversity.
Within a few days one can fly closely past Everest and
the Himalayas, trek through mountain villages, tour the
historical towns of Kathmandu, and then descend to the
plains to ride elephants through tropical jungles and
view wild tigers. Hinduism and Buddhism merge, sharing
the same festivals and places of worship. Home to 21 million
people and no fewer than 36 languages and dialects, Nepal
has been a multi-party democracy since 1990.
Women constitute about 51% of the total population and
comprise 71% of the agricultural labor force. Although
women contribute 55% of the household income, the social
and economic status of women is much lower than that of
men and women are discriminated against in all spheres
of life. Educational and professional opportunities are
limited and women suffer from discriminatory laws. For
example, they have no equal inheritance rights, and as
a result, few women own property. The exception to this
is women in ethnic hill communities who enjoy greater
freedom of mobility, flexibility in gender roles and important
roles in household decision-making. |
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Women's Organizations |
| Non-government organizations are
a growing phenomena in Nepal. According to recent estimates,
the number of NGOs now exceeds 16,000 and they are considered
to be active partners in national development programs.
Women's organizations in particular are well organized
and often led by young, educated, middle- and upper-middle-income
women who are committed to helping those less fortunate
than themselves. |
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Journey Focus Areas |
Women's groups working with domestic
violence, trafficking of women, community development,
economic and income generating initiatives.
The Jagriti International has particularly close ties with
two women's groups: Tewa, (which means "support"
in Nepali) and The Women's Awareness Center (WACN).
Tewa works with very small, community-based women's groups
to assist them in raising funds for their local activities.
WACN focuses on women's empowerment through literacy and
other skills training programs (handicraft, agricultural,
etc.)
Other groups to be visited include SAATHI, which
created the first domestic violence and counseling center
for women; Maithi Nepal, working to "rehabilitate"
women who have been "trafficked" to other countries and
returned sick with AIDS or other diseases. |
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Preliminary Itinerary |
| Day |
Activity |
| 1 |
Arrival in Kathmandu; welcome/orientation
in the evening |
| 2 |
Sightseeing Kathmandu (Swayambhunath);
meet women's group in the afternoon; Women's NGO
reception in the evening. |
| 3 |
Optional Mountain Flight
to view Mount Everest. Meet with women's group in
the morning; sightseeing in Bhaktipur, Pashupatinath,
Boudhanath. |
| 4 |
Fly to Pokhara; depart for
trek. |
| 5 |
Trekking in the
Anapurna region; meet with village women's groups. |
| 6 |
| 7 |
| 8 |
Travel by bus to Tiger Tops. |
| 9 |
Tiger Tops: Elephant safari. |
| 10 |
Meet women's group in Chitwan;
travel by bus back to Kathmandu. |
| 11 |
Departure. |
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Sites of Interest |
- Kathmandu: a fascinating city with more than 2
full days worth of sightseeing, including the ancient
walled cities of Patan and Bhaktipur, Budhist and
Hindu Temples and tourist shopping galore. There is
also the opportunity to visit a Tibetan refugee carpet
production area.
- Trekking in the Annapurna region, following less-traveled
paths and meeting with two women's (mother's) groups
formed in mountain villages to deal with issues related
to alcoholism, gambling and child care.
- Tiger Tops Lodge, located in the heart of the Royal
Chitwan National Park and considered to be one of
the richest wildlife preserves in Asia. Safari on
elephants through the grassland in search of rhinos,
wild boars and more.
- Shopping, shopping and more shopping! -- Tibetan
carpets, handicrafts, textiles and more.
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Featured Organizations |
Tewa Nepal Women's Fund is
actively working for the self-reliance and empowerment
of rural women by providing grants to women's groups involved
in animal husbandry, sewing and other small-scale local
initiatives.
Saathi has created the first counseling center
and shelter in Nepal for women facing domestic violence.
Women's Awareness Center of Nepal (WACN) focuses
on women's empowerment through literacy, skills training
and micro-credit for small businesses. |
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Costs |
$2,300.00, plus airfare.
Costs include: Hotels (double occupancy; add $500 for
single occupancy), 1 reception/dinner event, airport transfers,
transportation, sightseeing, 4 nights trekking including
meals, and $100 per person donation (tax-deductible) to
be given to the women's organizations visited.
Costs exclude: airfare to and from Nepal, meals in Kathmandu
and visas.
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Additional Information |
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Contact
us to design an Awakening Journey for your group of friends
or colleagues! |
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© 2001-2002 Jagriti International. All rights reserved.
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