FOOD IN NEPAL

Nepalese food is very healthy. For people travelling to Nepal on vacation, back-packing or trekking it is good to know what food is eaten in Nepal in order to prepare for the trip.
Nepalese food is heavily influenced by Indian and Tibetan cuisine and consequently you should come across a wide variety of food during your stay. International foods from across the globe are particularly represented in restaurants in Kathmandu.

Although traditional Nepalese food is often described as ‘bland’, Nepalese cuisine is certainly healthy and extremely nourishing.

The most popular Nepalese food includes a dish called ‘dhal bhat tarkari’. Dhal bhat tarkari consists of rice (bhat), curried vegetables (tarkari) and a type of lentil soup know as dhal. Bhat is certainly a staple Nepalese food. However in areas where rice is scare (primarily in poor and high-altitude areas) the staple food is usually dhiro, a thick mush which is produced from corn or millet.

NEPAL

Map of Kathmandu

Flag of Nepal
Map of Nepal

Geography

A landlocked country the size of Arkansas, lying between India and the Tibetan Autonomous Region of China, Nepal contains Mount Everest (29,035 ft; 8,850 m), the tallest mountain in the world. Along its southern border, Nepal has a strip of level land that is partly forested, partly cultivated. North of that is the slope of the main section of the Himalayan range, including Everest and many other peaks higher than 8,000 m.

Government

In Nov. 1990, King Birendra promulgated a new constitution and introduced a multiparty parliamentary democracy in Nepal. Under pressure amid massive pro-democracy protests in April 2006, King Gyanendra gave up direct rule and reinstated Parliament, which then quickly moved to diminish the his powers. In December 2007, Parliament voted to abolish the monarchy and become a federal democratic republic. The transition to a republic was completed in May 2008, when the Constituent Assemby voted to dissolve the monarchy

Prime Minister: Pushpa Kamal Dahal (2008)
President: Ram Baran Yadav (2008)

Land area: 52,819 sq mi (136,801 sq km); total area: 54,363 sq mi (140,800 sq km)

Population (2008 est.): 29,519,114 (growth rate: 2.0%); birth rate: 29.9/1000; infant mortality rate: 62.0/1000; life expectancy: 60.9; density per sq km: 206

Capital and largest city (2003 est.): Kathmandu, 1,203,100 (metro. area), 729,000 (city proper)
Other large cities: Biratnagar, 174,600; Lalitpur, 169,100

Monetary unit: Nepalese rupee

Languages: Nepali 48% (official), Maithali 12%, Bhojpuri 7%, Tharu 6%, Tamang 5%, others. English spoken by many in government and business (2001)

Ethnicity/race: Brahman-Hill 12.5%, Chetri 15.5%, Magar 7%, Tharu 6.6%, Tamang 5.5%, Newar 5.4%, Muslim 4.2%, Kami 3.9%, Yadav 3.9%, other 32.7%, unspecified 2.8% (2001)

Religions: Hindu 81%, Buddhist 11%, Islam 4%, Kirant 4% (2001)

Literacy rate: 45% (2003 est.)

What Are We Doing Here In Nepal?

p. bert presenting the message

p.bert with class 7

building of Gloria School

zen teaching at Gloria School

p.bert with principal Subash Pradhan of NBBC

Paul with the four boys

Believers of New Heaven Church

p.bert preaching during Christmas 08

1. Church Ministry

We have been helping three church planting; the New Heaven Church in Sitapaila, Kathmandu; the Holy Life Church in Chitwan ( five hours away from Kathmandu); and Nala Church ( three hours away from Kathmandu).


2. Educational Ministry

P. Bert has been teaching English Grammar and Conversation at Gloria School for a year. It is a school mostly for poor children comes from the remote villages. Commonly they are they are fatherless and orphans. English Learning with Gospel integration through stories and tricks is presented.

Sis. Zen is teaching English Christian Songs during devotional time. During special occasion she is also teaching Interpretative Worship Dance and Modern Christian Dance.


3. Social Work/Children’s Home Ministry

We are assisting our senior worker for taking care and for providing basic needs for the four Nepali boys: two are in Class 1 and the other two are in Class 3


4. Scholarship/sponsorship Ministry

By giving sponsorship for tuition fee and food for two students of Nepal Baptist Bible College. Mostly these students were forsaken by their families for being Christians. They need help and love coming from brethren.


5. Bible College Teaching

P. Bert will teach at Nepal Baptist Bible College this coming July. This college is sponsored by 110 independent Baptist Churches. It has also the Pastor and Leadership Training for the leaders of the church who do not have time for formal Bible College training because of ministerial works in their respective places.

LITERACY PROJECT PROPOSALS

I. PURPOSE

The literacy project firmly desires to accomplish the following purposes:

1. To teach the people ( youth and adults) how to read and write in Nepali and in English languages
2. To encourage Christian believers to create impact on the community through language teaching
3. To demonstrate our concern by helping poor people to communicate both in speaking and in writing
4. To fulfill the command of God to love our neighbors particularly the poor.

II. PERSONNEL

God works with man every time he carries out his divine plan. The stated purposes above will be accomplished by the following personnel:

1. Literacy Trainer
2. Volunteer Workers
3. Financial Supporters
4. Community Leaders
5. Church-Community Coordinators

III. PROGRAM

The accomplishment of the literacy project is achieved through the following programs:

1. Prayer and Preparation
2. Volunteer Teachers Training and Selection
2.1 – Coordination with church leaders for referral
2.2 – Prayer before selection
2.3 – Sharing of vision
2.4 – 18-hour Training Requirement
3. Coordination with Community and Church Leaders
4. Visitation (Make friends with the target people living in nearby villages.)
5. Duplication ( To transfer to others the literacy teaching techniques through seminar)
6. Gathering (Congregate the target people with their leaders for orientation)
7. Setting The Schedule for the Target Place
8. Looking for Other Felt-Needs.
9. Gospel Presentation (Gradually share the gospel to them through our lesson and kindness.)
10. Follow-Up (Contact church leaders for follow-up.)
11. Special Gathering (Make a special gathering or programs for literacy students.)


IV. MATERIALS

Literacy course materials are to be provided for effective training. The materials needed are:

1. Lesson and materials for Teachers training
1.1 - Reading
1.2 – Pre-reading
1.3 – Workbook for writing
1.4 – Phonics
1.5 – Chart for training


V. BUDGET & FINANCIAL SUPPORT

Budget and financial assistance are indispensable to any project such as literacy program. The listed basic expenses are to be met promptly and the sources of funds are to be inspired by earnest prayer and fruitful partnership.

1. Training Expenses
2. Allowances of Volunteer Teachers
3. Sources of Funds
3.1 – from donations of individuals
3.2 – from program sponsors (church or organizations)
3.3 – from donations of the trainees even in kinds
3.4 – from community sources (e.g. food and accommodation for the trainers.)


VI. TEACHERS SELECTION & TRAINING

Selection of teachers for training is crucial factor to the success of the program. It must be done following the requirements set forth below.

1. He must be a born again believer.
2. He must have the assurance of salvation.
3. He must be a faithful member of the local church.
4. He must have God’s calling as teacher.
5. He must have love and concern for his countrymen for doing voluntary work on literacy.
6. He must have the heart of Jesus of loving for the poor.
7. He must be faithful, available and teachable.


VII. ESTIMATED EXPENSES

The estimated expenses give the project director and the coordinators the ability to figure out the financial amount involved for easy contribution, collection, consumption, and submission.