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Makwanpur Rural Community Development Project

Clean water, electricity, and sanitation are the foundation for thriving communities.

3.5 million Nepali people don’t have access to clean water. Many villages still practice open defecation, increasing the risk for waterborne diseases — a leading cause of death among children under five. In Makwanpur, women and children often bear the burden of hauling water. This task requires hours of hiking through steep, fragile terrain. Clean water infrastructure allows them to pursue other activities like education, hobbies, play, work, and caring for family.

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Explore Makwanpur and our work to date.

Since 2021, we’ve brought clean water, electricity, and biogas toilets to a cluster of hillside villages in the Nepal district of Makwanpur. We are now shifting our focus to other villages in the area that face the same challenges.

Gopeghari
Number of people served: 50
Date of completion: Summer 2022

In the summer of 2022, we successfully captured and distributed potable water to the village of Gophegari, sourcing a nearby perennial spring. We constructed a collection tank at the springhead with a submersible pump. A series of reservoir tanks were built throughout the system with a pipeline to bring water to each house. To operate the pump, three-phase power was tied to the main grid.
Deurali
Number of people served: 215
Date of completion: Spring 2023

After Gopeghari, we focused on Deurali, a village down the hill. This section of the water system was powered by gravity, connecting to the existing reservoir tanks up the hillside. Because this village has a larger population and houses are spread farther apart, the team built an 11,000-gallon reservoir tank and ran six miles of additional piping.
Dhusarang
Number of people served: 535
Date of completion: Summer 2024

Dhusarang is one of the largest villages in the area, and furthest away from our initial water source. A growing community, it boasts a small elementary school servicing 100+ students from surrounding villages. We expanded our water and electricity system to Dhusarang, building a 10,000-gallon reservoir tank, five more miles of piping, biogas toilets, and water taps.
Gargile
Number of people served: 470
Date of completion: Spring 2025

The villages of Gargile and Beltar encompassed a large area with houses in clusters spanning a vast region. Topography posed a challenge with exposed, steep cliff faces and harsh weather. Bringing water to Gargile required two more collection dams, new springs, and two more 10,000-liter reservoir tanks. After completing this phase, 160 houses in this region now have water, electricity, and a sanitation system at their house for the first time in history.

Stories from the hills of Makwanpur.

Hear directly from villagers on the impact of our work.

Babu “Lama” Praja

Shurka Singh “Doctor” Praja

Praja Family

Aarati Praja

3 ways we ensure long-term success.

The Community Development Committee

Developed by local residents and involved at every stage of the project, this committee collects small monthly contributions from villagers into a fund that’s used for maintenance and repairs.

The Monthly Maintenance Program

A locally trained resident inspects the water system, all the way from the natural spring source to every reservoir and tap along the way, conducting necessary maintenance.

The Transferable Skills Training

The project relies on locally trained villagers to identify issues and fix problems as they arise. This allows the communities to become self-reliant when it comes to their resources.

Help us reach thousands more.

With our tested approach and proven, locally focused model, we’re ready to turn our focus to other villages in Makwanpur. But we need your help. Becoming a monthly donor is the best way to support our on-going work.

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BECOME A MONTHLY DONOR