Nepal, Asia

NEP06a - Jyoti Community Development Weaving Project

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Key Partnership Information:

• Partnership Ref.: NEP06a

• Commenced: 25/02/2026

• Funding Status: No Current Donor

• Partnership Type: Training / Education, Community / Agriculture Development

• Funding Size: $0 - $2,999

• Annual Budget: US$ 1,529

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Current Partnership Impact:

• 8 families are being assisted

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Other Partnership Information:

• No reports available yet

• No partnership video available yet

• Email us about supporting this partnership

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Partnership Overview

The Jyoti Community Development Service is a church-based ministry operating on the border in the south of Nepal. It was established in 2021 with the aim of empowering underprivileged women and helping them achieve self-reliance as well as stopping and preventing human trafficking. Their primary focus is to identify economically disadvantaged communities and implement programmes designed to generate income and build skills, ultimately promoting self-sufficiency. 

This project involves providing families with handlooms for making traditional Nepali Dhaka cloth as a way to create sustainable income opportunities for local people, especially women and marginalized groups, while also helping to preserve traditional weaving skills. It will promote women’s economic empowerment, enable them to develop skills in weaving and textile production, and support sustainable community development. There is also the potential for small-scale enterprise and cooperative development. 

History of Partnership

BHW's new partnership facilitator was first introduced to Rajan by another of our Nepalese partners in 2023. Rajan and his son Joseph travelled five hours by bus each way to meet him in Kathmandu. At that stage, he was impressed both with Rajan and Joseph, and also their ministry. 

On a subsequent trip to Nepal in 2024, the facilitators visited Bharatpur and many of the activities Jyoti Community Development Service are involved in. A discussion commenced about how BHW could commence a partnership with them in the most appropriate way. In April 2025 a proposal to commence a sewing programme (NEP06) was presented to the BHW Executive and approved. 

Following a further visit by the BHW Nepal Partnership Facilitator in November 2025, this weaving project was submitted and approved in February 2026.  

Beneficiaries

The families that are provided with a weaving loom are the primary beneficiaries here as they will now have a regular source of income from the sale of the products made. 

What We Like About The Partnership

Jyoti Community Development Service is a church-based organisation with an NGO to enable them to do humanitarian work. They have a holistic understanding about development which aligns nicely with BHW values.

They are already very involved in the community and impacting many lives.
The work they do builds good relationships with people and the community respects them for this. 

 

Key People

Rajan and Santa Sunar

Rajan and Santa are lovely people and the leaders of the work. They have been working in this area for many years and have a significant network of people they have worked with. They are extremely hospitable and welcoming. 

Rajan and Santa have two sons working with them. Jeevan (John) speaks very good English and is an extrovert. Joseph is quieter and both are musical. 

All the family members are involved in the ministry. This is a labour of love for them all. They are passionate and skilled at what they do. 

Other People Involved

Currently in all the work they do there are 9 staff, all part-time, and many volunteers. Some of the part-timers are pastors of churches. 

 

Vision And Annual Strategy

Vision 

Their vision is to empower individuals, especially women from disadvantaged backgrounds, and elevate their living standards through skill-based, income-generating programmes. They believe in the potential of every person to break free from the shackles of trafficking, poverty, and inequality, and to build a brighter future. 

Strategy

Under this programme, selected community members will be provided with handlooms suitable for Dhaka weaving, along with basic tools and accessories required for production. Dhaka cloth is a traditional Nepali textile widely used for making Dhaka topi, shawls, scarves, and other garments, and it has strong cultural as well as market value.

Initially eight community members will be trained in loom operation, Dhaka weaving techniques, pattern design and quality control.  

 

Annual Budget

The budget here to set up eight women with a loom, thread and fabric is US$1,529.