Lumanti in partnership with Lekhnath Municipality has objective to render its services for the unreached and unheard communities of Lekhnath has initiated its’ plan for the construction of 50 households, 25 each in I and II phase. Necessary agreement between major stakeholder like Bank and municipality has been duely signed and loan for 25 beneficiaries been disbursed. This community led approach has been the core design for the implementation of related program in the field. Direct beneficiaries accounted by this project at the end are estimated to be around 250 people residing in 50 households within the project periphery. 

 

Lumanti’s assistance including technical support in the city has helped to strengthen the community organizations, coordination among various stakeholders such as the municipality. With an aim to sustain savings of communities, MFI program has recently been initiated by Lumanti in communities. The small scale projects especially targeting Savings and Credit Groups and local cooperative has now became a way to link major poor communities and lower level of income groups with opportunities to explore income generation options and support for their shelter. Projects that emphasized on improved housing to low level income group has been the priority for Lumanti’s program in developing improved shelter for low income groups and to address the growing need for improved shelter of low income groups. Associated trainings, orientation facilitation for the program will be lead in support with Lumanti’s Micro Finance unit in head office, local government, CBOs (Community Based Organizations) and other stakeholders.

 

The joint collaboration with municipalities and community people for the effective initiation of activities has created positive attitude and built the confidence level of people. Lumanti through its MFI or local commercial bank will provide access for loan assistance to the selected low income people for the construction of their new houses with water and sanitation facility. Municipality’s role in the project is associated with the identification and selection of beneficiaries; technical facilitation; contributing additional support for the development and construction of infrastructures like road, sewage, electricity and so on.  In addition, municipality will assist in coordinating with community and concerned stakeholders including political parties for the effectiveness of this project. Rendering necessary support to the related financial institution for the repayment of issued loans to the beneficiaries of low cost housing and assisting for the settlement of associated dispute regarding low cost housing project has been identified. Allocating budget for social mobilization, capacity building, mobilization of TLOs (as when required) and joint monitoring during the construction stages including regular monitoring and evaluation visit of the project location and for the repayment of loan has been an integral part of project associated with municipality’s role. Finally, assisting in formation of Housing/ Project Management Committee for effective result are some of the key role Lekhnath Municipality will perform during the project tenure.

 

All households and selected potential borrower will be filtered with a systematic procedure thereby ensuring their payback capabilities. Only the selected individuals having payback credibility will be issued loan accordingly with a clause to add their side of investment as well, which will be around 65% including personal loan from bank. 

 

 

 

Lekhnath Municipality is among one of the Lumanti’s interventional area where it has been rendering its services for poor and vulnerable and unreached communities through its low cost housing scheme. Beside, providing low cost housing to the deprived communities, Lumanti is engaged in providing other services especially on WASH to these communities ensuring their right to water and sanitation and advocating on same with various stakeholders. 

 

Presence of communal environment and a standard living space for people through community led process has been the success of Lumanti’s shelter project in multiple locations including in Lekhnath, Tansen, Kirtipur, Pokhara, Kohalpur, and Koshi- Haripur. Previously in Lekhnath Municipality alone Lumanti has successfully assisted for the construction of 334 low cost houses targeting low income people benefitting approximately 1670 individuals.

 

In a similar tune, Lumanti has been involved in reconstruction of shelter after the massive earthquake in districts like Rasuwa and Kathmandu. In Kathmandu valley alone locations like Thecho, Chapagaun, Lele, Siddhipur, Machhegaun, and Dalchoki VDC where approached with community led reconstruction of shelter to the needed communities. In Rasuwa and Makwanpur, Lahare Pauwa, Dhaibung and Chitlang respectively were selected as interventional areas where deprived communities were approached with financial as well as technical support to reconstruct their shelter need.

- Saurav Sainju