EU regional head of delegation visits Dalit empowerment project site

EU Head of Delegation, India, Nepal and Bhutan Ms. D. SMADJA visited a working area of Dalit Empowerment Programme in Lele VDC, Kavrechhap of Lalitpur district on 18 May 2008. Other representatives from EU, LWF Nepal and Dalit organisations accompanied her during the visit. Group members and community people shared their experiences, present situation and achievements of the program and their future plan with the visiting delegation. Ms. D. SMADJA also observed the ongoing activities such as drinking water scheme, income-generating and awareness-raising activities initiated by Dalit groups. She praised the effort made at generating mass awareness through street dramas.

EU Head of Delegation, India, Nepal and Bhutan Ms. D. SMADJA

She said EU had been serious about Dalit issues, and would extend support for their cause in the coming years as well.

The Dalit Empowerment Programme in Western and Central Nepal (DEP) is a European Union-funded program, which is being implemented by LWF Nepal together with national Dalit NGOs in five districts, including Lalitpur. DanChurchAid (DCA) has partially funded the program.

Marceline P. Rozario, country representative of EU, Renuka Srinivasan of EU Delegation India, Marcia Kammitsi of EU Nepal Delegation Office, Anoj Chhetri, programme coordinator of LWF Nepal, Govinda Neupane, DanChurchAid funding officer of Nepal and Tej Sunar, project manager of DEP/LWF Nepal and Durga Sob, national chairperson of Feminist Dalit Organization), among others, were also present during the visit programme.