China Foundation for Rural Development (CFRD) Nepal Office organised a "Launch Ceremony for China's 1st Rural Sustainable Development Village Demonstration in Nepal"．　(Photo: Bishal Shrestha, SATV) 

China Foundation for Rural Development (CFRD) Nepal Office organised a "Launch Ceremony for China's 1st Rural Sustainable Development Village Demonstration in Nepal" on May 29, 2023 in Kavresthali Secondary School, of Kavresthali Municipality, Kathmandu.

CFRD is the only Chinese NGO operating long- term projects in Nepal. Through a research conducted by CFRD in 2022, in Tarakeshwor, located north of valley needed assistance for livelihood and development to stay near valley. CFRD has successively launched a number of comprehensive developmental projects in the region investing more than 100 million NRP covering total of 10 thousand beneficiaries.

Mr. Hari Krishna Maharjan, Mayor of Tarkeshwor Municipality speaking as a Chief guest in the event today of CFRD．(Photo: Bishal Shrestha, SATV)

Mr. Hari Krishna Maharjan, Mayor of Tarkeshwor Municipality was the chief guest of the programme. In the same way, His Excellency, Mr. Chen Song, Ambassador of People's Republic of China to Nepal and Mr. Hong Tian Yun, Deputy Director of National Rural Revitalisation Administration were seated as special guests.

" We have taken first agendas of the long rooted drinking water unavailability of Tarakeshwor Municipality into conduct", says Krishna Hari Maharjan. He informed that an investment of Rs 44 crore has been made to action the plan of water distribution work being done to 48,075 houses in ward no. 4 and 5.

Mr. Maharjan adds, "we have been able to move forward with the China Foundation's timely initiative to not only distribute water but also water worth 20 million from the spring water sources to 300 houses in Kavre site number 2 ".

Tarakeshore Municipality allocated a budget of 1,30,000 lakhs to increase the number of houses, reduce taxes, and change the negative attitude towards community schools. The investment increased to 8,86,000 by CFRD team from before allocated 1,30,000 lakhs of Tarakeshwor Municipality to work for the quality of school education, lunch services and others. This initiative by CFRD has increased the number of school attendance.

Fromer Chief Secretary of Government of Nepal and Ambassador to China, Mr. Leela Mani Paudyal delivering his speech in Sunday's programme of CFRD. (Photo: Bishal Shrestha, SATV)

Fromer Chief Secretary of Government of Nepal and Ambassador to China, Mr. Leela Mani Paudyal requests us to work to promote people-to-people relations with the Chinese people in our country by not airing any anti-friendly activities. He says, "China's development is not a threat but an opportunity for us".

Mr. Paudyal highlights China's friendship saying, "CFRD made an immediate response mobilizing its rescue team the second day of the Nepal's 2015 earthquake which was the only country that reached the most needy people after the earthquake and risked their lives without any propoganda. China is the topmost nation to provide the most support to Nepal even during the pandemic difficulties".

Ambassador from China to Nepal, His Excellency, Mr. Chen Song giving his speech in today's programme on Monday. (Photo: Bishal Shrestha, SATV)

Ambassador from China to Nepal, His Excellency, Mr. Chen Song in his speech conveys, "Poverty is a common enemy of mankind and the development is a key to solve all the problems associated with poverty. China Foundation for Rural Development Village demonstration is a new starting point for China-Nepal cooperation in the field of poverty elevation. I believe that with the hard work of local people and the support of Chinese Foundation for rural development and also with the help of Chinese Government this project will be a success and be a model for rural development in Nepal".

CFRD is objected to continue investing three years and strive to develop Tarakeshwor Village into China's first Rural Sustainable Development Village Demonstration in Nepal by closely cooperating with local government and local needs, supporting Nepal to achieve revitalisation and sustainable development goal by 2030.

Replica of today's program in photographs: