The story of Munsi Murmu, the Chairperson of ward number five of Jahada rural municipality, highlights the significant contributions made by the Lutheran World Federation/Lutheran Community Welfare Society (LWF/LCWS) to his community.
Prior to his current role, Munsi Murmu was the President of the Sagen Baha Agricultural Cooperative, which was formed by LWF/LCWS in his community. The cooperative helped to improve the livelihood status of the community by providing support for livestock activities such as goat rearing, pig rearing, and fish rearing. Additionally, advanced seeds of crops such as rice, corn, and wheat were provided for agricultural purposes, which improved the quality of cultivated crops and enhanced knowledge of farming practices.
In Sohal tole, a community of 22 farmers, maize production is the primary food crop. Prior to LWF/LCWS intervention, the farmers used local seeds for cultivation and irrigation was inadequate, resulting in high agricultural investment but low output. However, after receiving agri-input support and irrigation facilities from LWF/LCWS, the farmers have been able to increase their production significantly. Previously, they used to earn an average of NPR 25,000 from their agriculture business on 0.25 hectares of land. But now, they are earning NPR 150,000 to NPR 200,000 solely from maize production, which has not only improved their financial status but also made it easier to manage household chores. Children are able to attend school and receive a high-quality education, which has brought happiness to the community.
The Lutheran World Federation/Lutheran World Service has been instrumental in improving the lives of the community members by providing them with the necessary resources and tools to enhance their livelihoods. They have supported them in improving their farming practices, providing irrigation facilities, and enhancing their knowledge of agricultural farming, which has resulted in a significant increase in their production and income. The contributions of LWF/LCWS have made it possible for the community members to lead a better life and have brought happiness and joy to the community. Munsi Murmu and the community members are grateful for LWF/LCWS humanitarian work in their community.