From Toxic Smoke To Sweet Relief
In Nepal, you’ll encounter some of the most kind-hearted and hospitable people groups in the world. They consistently prioritize the needs of others over their own, often giving all they have, even if it’s little. When invited into a traditional Nepali home, you can expect to be offered chai or coffee as a warm welcome. If you're there for a meal, it may feel unusual that they serve you first and wait until you’ve finished before they eat. This is their way of ensuring you’ve had enough. Be prepared though for an extra-large helping of rice—they’ll likely try to add more to your plate before you’ve even finished your first serving! Sadly, many families in rural areas cook over an open fire in their homes, causing smoke to fill the air. This lack of ventilation leads to significant health issues, especially for the women who cook and care for the family.
One of our smokeless stoves in a remote village
In December 2023, Jivan For Nepali recognized a need and started a metal shop to help create smokeless stoves. Hundreds of these stoves have already been distributed to villages, and starting this business has opened up more opportunities to share the hope we have in the Father. Our partners are able to deliver these stoves to remote areas where they serve, providing a practical way to bless their communities. We also hope that this metal shop and stove project will help generate more income for our partners in the future. In addition to the metal shop, we’ve launched a goat and pig farm, and we’ve started an apple orchard.
Our goat farm
Starting our apple orchard
As foreigners, we are often seen as the "White Knight"—the hero who swoops in to solve money problems around the world. While this can feel flattering, it’s also frustrating and unsustainable in the long run. Instead of simply offering financial help, we focus on teaching our partners how to start and sustain small businesses, and how to maintain good records. This approach allows us to support them in a more practical, empowering, and loving way, rather than just throwing money at the problem. We long to lead in a healthy and helpful way for those with a teachable heart.