Nepal, Asia

NEP06b - Jyoti Community Development Goat Lending Project

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Key Partnership Information:

• Partnership Ref.: NEP06b

• Commenced: 25/05/2026

• Funding Status: No Current Donor

• Partnership Type: Community / Agriculture Development, Micro-enterprise / Micro-loans

• Funding Size: $0 - $2,999

• Annual Budget: US$ 3,234

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Current Partnership Impact:

• 25 families are being assisted

• 25 families are accessing microloans

• 15 families in community 1 and 10 families in community 2

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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 (JCDS) 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. 

Jyoti Nepal currently has 12 community groups operating in different locations. Among these groups, two groups have been identified as highly vulnerable and financially unable to purchase goats on their own therefore this goat lending programme is proposed specifically for these two groups. Through this initiative, selected women members will receive one or more goats under a lending model. The beneficiaries will raise the goats for income generation through breeding and sale. As part of the revolving mechanism, they will pass on offspring to other members within their group, ensuring that the benefit reaches additional families over time.

By implementing this programme, JCDS aims to strengthen economic opportunities, promote self-reliance, and empower women within the community groups. The project will contribute to increased household income, improved food security, and enhanced financial stability for vulnerable families.

Benefits of the Goat Lending Programme:
1) Income Generation: Families can earn income by selling goat kids, milk, or mature goats.
2) Food and Nutrition Security: Goat milk improves family nutrition, especially for children and elderly members.
3) Poverty Reduction: Goats require low investment and can be raised even by land-poor families.
4) Women Empowerment: Women often manage goat rearing, increasing their decision-making power and confidence.
5) Sustainable Livelihood: The pass-on system allows benefits to reach many families without repeated external funding.
6) Skill Development: Beneficiaries gain knowledge in animal care, breeding, and basic livestock management.
7) Community Cooperation: The programme strengthens unity, mutual support, and responsibility within the community.

Expected Outcomes and Benefits:
1) Increased household income through goat rearing
2) Improved nutrition, especially for children and women
3) Reduced dependency on external financial support
4) Empowerment of women through active participation in livelihood activities
5) Strengthened community solidarity and mutual support
6) Sustainable expansion of the programme to benefit more families 

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 saw many of the activities they 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 was presented to the BHW Executive and approved. Following on from this, in early 2026, the goat lending programme was presented and approved. 

Beneficiaries

Initially, the 25 households in the two community groups who receive the goats will be the primary beneficiaries but as the programme grows and goats are passed on to other families, the impact of this programme will continue to multiply.  

What We Like About The Partnership

They are church based.
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.
They have a clear understanding of the holistic nature of the gospel, and they talk in terms of development.

Key People

Leadership Profile

The father and mother, Rajan and Santa, are lovely people and 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. In one place we visited, they have established a significant micro-loan programme benefitting hundreds of families. They are responsible for rescuing hundreds of women from trafficking activities. 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, fluent in English, 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. 

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

The goat lending programme will be implemented in two different communities at separate locations to support income generation and sustainable livelihoods among vulnerable families.

Community 1: 15 goats will be distributed to 15 selected beneficiary households
Community 2: 10 goats will be distributed to 10 selected beneficiary households

In total, 25 goats will be provided under this programme. The beneficiary family raises the goats, takes care of feeding, health, and breeding, and benefits from milk, manure, and income from offspring. After a certain period or after the goat gives birth, the beneficiary passes on a goat (usually the first kid) to another needy family in the community. In this way, the programme continues to support more families over time.

Monitoring and evaluation will be carried out regularly after the goats are provided to the beneficiary communities to ensure proper care, health, and effective use of the goats, as well as to assess the overall progress and impact of the programme. Regular field visits will be conducted by project staff and community committee members to observe goat health, housing, feeding practices, and record-keeping by beneficiaries. Beneficiaries will be encouraged to report any health issues, births, or losses immediately.

Findings from monitoring and evaluation will be documented, and based on the results, necessary technical support, follow-up training, or corrective actions will be provided to strengthen programme effectiveness and sustainability.

Evaluation will focus on key indicators such as:
1) Goat survival and health status
2) Number of goats reproduced (kids born)
3) Income generated from goat rearing
4) Timely pass-on of goats to other families
5) Improvement in household livelihood and nutrition

 

Annual Budget

A one-off amount of US$3,234 is required to get this goat loan programme up and running. This will fund 25 goats along with a training/orientation programme in both communities.