1.0 Date submitted :
2.0 Project name : Lions Senior Citizen Home (LSCH)
3.0 Amount of funds needed : US$ 90,105

4.0 Number of people to be served
The Lions Senior Citizen Home aims to provide its qualitative services to 50 senior citizens who really need the old age orphanage home on day-to-day basis. In the longer run, however, the capacity will be built upon to accommodate about 100 such senior citizen persons. Helpless, poor and disabled needy old people are the priority and they will be selected from various parts of the country. The selection will be based on the consultation with the local authorities and recommendations of their respective neighbors or the distance clans.

5.0 Problem identification and Objective
According to the recent census of Nepal , her current population is estimated to be 23, 453,019 with the growth rate of 2.4%. It reveals the fact that the average life expectancy of Nepalese people is increasing in the recent years compared to the past ones. The average life expectancy of Nepalese population as per the 2002 census was 61.9 years. Moreover, this has risen slightly at present. Consequently, the population of senior citizens too is rising. The total estimated number of senior citizens in Nepal is 1,347,868 with the growth rate of 2.4%. This population is 5.7% of the total population but there is no data available as at that states the actual percentage of the vulnerable people under this group. People in this group are vulnerable in physiological, psychological, economical, social and familial terms. However, we had consulted several old age people, organizations handling old age homes, concerned government authorities, social workers etc during the preliminary stage of this proposal preparation. From this exercise, it is estimated that about 17% of the total old aged people are in really very vulnerable condition. Most importantly, the old age people from the so called lower castes are even more vulnerable due to cultural biasness and their poor economic status.

According to the record maintained by the Social Welfare Council (SWC), an institution established by the Government to monitor the activities carried out by the NGOs and INGOs, the total number of old age homes registered as of 2005 is 153. However, most of the registered homes either do not exist or operate in very poor condition. Per the publication "Voice of the Elderly" only ten homes are functional at present. It is to be noted that even these are operating in the poor condition and most of them are centered only in the cities or in capital Kathmandu . These homes are estimated to cover only about 0.22% of the actual need. The most vulnerable people from the old age group basically live in the villages and far remote areas rather than in the cities. On top of everything, Lamjung district, the place where Lions Senior Citizen Home is proposed to be established, does not have any old age home but contains many vulnerable senior citizens from most disadvantaged segment of the society and so called lower caste people.

Senior citizens are the assets of society. ‘Ago Tapnu Mudhako, Kura Sunnu Budhako' is a common proverb in Nepal . This literally means the elder people are full of knowledge through their experiences and they should be heard for they are the resources. In the past, senior citizens used to be highly respected in Nepal and joint family was dominant where more than 3 generations lived happily as a single household under one roof. However, due to changing life style and urbanization, family type and size have changed and nucleus family has now become the dominant family type in the country. Due to changing family structure and changed attitudes of the new generations towards the senior citizens, they are often forgotten if not neglected and their lives have become more vulnerable.

Experience and knowledge of senior citizens can be vital for a family, society and the country. But even then, there is dearth of adequate attention to their care on the part of family, society and country. Although everybody agrees on the value of senior citizens, there is no conducive environment for the utilization of their knowledge and experience. In one hand, their life expectancy is rising due to improved health care provided to them, but unfortunately, the care, respect and love they deserve is dwindling on the other hand. This problem is especially rampant among the poor.

The senior citizens are also deprived of family care and love on top of the fact that they are refrained from getting access to the productive resources. The lives of single senior citizens (widow male and female, which is around 3% of the total elders) become even more difficult compared to the couple senior citizens.

Lions Senior Citizen Home has been proposed as a unique Caring and Rehabilitation Centre to provide its services to the senior citizens by establishing the home there where most of the vulnerable and needy people live. The Lions Senior Citizen Home is the place where old people will live with respect, freedom and peace of mind contributing at the same time to improve the living conditions of the other senior citizens with their skills and experiences.

5.1 Government services and facilities
There has been not much attempt from the part of the government to help the senior citizens. This section of population is overshadowed in the policy making level. Recently, the government has initiated a programme of providing NRs. 150, equivalent to US$ 2.027 per month as an old age allowance to people above 75 years of age. The allowance is very low and even the distribution system is also not well functioning.

According to the available resources, there are about 32 organizations working in this field. However, the capacity is very low and quality of the services provided is very poor. According to the data, only 500 elders are taking homes all over the country in these homes. The largest home is located in Pashupati dharmashala where 180 people have been staying. It was established in 2033 B.S. Most pity things about these homes are that neither are they managed scientifically nor they meet basic hygiene for food and home and minimum standard for proper medicine and care.

5.2 Position of the state:
The number of senior citizens is increasing day-by-day in Nepal due to the escalation in the life expectancy of people. Like wise, the number of senior citizens is increasing in the world and it has really become a matter of concern for all policy makers, governments and other non-governmental organizations. As a result, the voice for the social security of the senior citizens has got a paramount importance at the international level.

The problems of senior citizens were discussed in the General Assembly of the United Nations in 1979. The General Assembly submitted an action plan for the rights, welfare and interest of the senior citizens in 1992.

In Nepal , it was only in the ninth plan the policy on elders was included. The plan mentions the special programs for the welfare of senior citizens considering the rising life expectancy of the people. Now, the government provides a monthly allowance to the senior citizens over 75 year of age. This has made provisions for special set up of separate wards at regional and central hospitals; establishment of homes at all regions; and reservations and concession in the travel fare. However, these initiations are merely limited in the words than in the active implementation.

5.3 Involvement of NGOs/INGOs:
There are around 32 organizations working for the senior citizens in Nepal . These organizations are mainly involved in providing home for the disabled and old people in the old homes. Similarly, they are also involved in providing legal helps such as take necessary steps to safeguard their rights and welfare. They are also involved in conservation of invaluable skills and knowledge of senior citizens for the betterment of society and country. They also help National Planning Commission (NPC) to formulate long term plans and policies for the senior citizens. Most of the old age centers are run by religious organizations and with religious motives. Therefore, there is necessity to start new thoughts for the protection of human rights of the senior citizens and providing them the necessary helps on the humanitarian and legal rights grounds.

5.4 Project objective:
The main objective of the Lions Senior Citizen Home is to provide the qualitative services to the most vulnerable senior citizens living in Nepal . The specific objectives are:

•  To provide humanitarian assistance to helpless, victims of conflict and natural disasters and disabled senior citizens and help them live dignified lives;
•  To utilize the experience and knowledge of senior citizens for the benefit of the society and eventually of the country;
•  To develop the home as a model home in the country;
•  To preserve traditional knowledge and skills and develop the home as the resource centre for the benefit of future generations;
•  To promote the village tourism in the area through the conservation of local culture.

6.0 Project strategy and plan of action :
The project will be implemented by a local NGO named Sarvodaya Sewashram with the financial assistance from the Lions club and other donor agencies.

•  Project details
It is a moderate type of infrastructure which incorporates different types of accommodation, food and health related facilities. The physical weakness of old age people demands the simple, comfortable but inclusive type of living quarters. On the basis of topological state of the land and in consideration to the comfort of the senior citizens, one storey RCC building is preferred with all basic facilities clustered in the ground floor. The basic functional areas proposed in initial phase are:
•  Bed rooms: Common (28 beds), Double (16 beds) and single (6 beds)
•  Cafeteria: 35 persons can dine at a time
•  Toilets and bathrooms: Male (8), female (8)
•  Dispensary
•  Yoga Hall: can accommodate 50 persons at a time
•  Library and resource Block
•  Office for the staff
•  Store room
•  Laundry room
•  Landscaping and garden
•  Parking slots: for 10 light vehicles

A total of 5,625 sq. meter will be allotted to the premises in which six blocks will be constructed to accommodate all the facilities mentioned above among other minor requirements.

The detail of the facilities is given in the attached blue print/site plan and layout.

•  Plan of action
Lions Senior Citizen Home will be completed in the following three phases:

First phase:
•  Procurement of the land required to construct the building ;
•  Design and estimation of the building;
•  Plantation of medicinal and aromatic plants in the centre ;
•  Management of drinking water and other physical facilities at the center.

The first phase of this project can be completed within a month since 60% of the work is already completed.

 Second phase:

•  Formation of Project Management Committee: 7 member project management committee will be formed where there will be the representation from the Lions club, Sarvodaya Sewashram, local community, representatives of the NGOs/GOs and civil society;
•  Construction of the homes;

•  Formulation of detail code of conduct and outline for the operation of the Lions senior citizens centre. During the preparation of the operational procedure and rules, close consultation with Lions club will be made;

•  For the selection of needy old people interaction and coordination programs will be organized in various district headquarters and local level. Local governmental and non governmental organizations, civil society and other concerned agencies will be participating in these programs;

•  During the construction of the home and other physical infrastructures, regular monitoring and supervision will be done by the management committee. The committee will also search for additional funds if needed;

•  Procurement of necessary logistics items essential for the home; and
•  Infrastructure for a primary health centre will be developed as an integral part of home.

Third phase:

•  Inauguration of the home;
•  Preparation of visual documentary of the whole project;
•  Adoption of senior citizens at the home;
•  Identification of skills and inherent capacity of the senior citizens;
•  Design of programs to utilize skills and experience of senior citizens;
•  Provision of inputs and additional skills and orientation and training provided if needed;
•  Marketing of product and services being generated at the centre

6.1 Measures for long-term sustainability of the project:

•  Support from Village Development Committee (VDC), District Development Committee (DDC), Forestry Users Groups (FUGs), local Women's Groups, local youth clubs, Lions Club of Kathmandu Samakhusi (LCKS), Lions Club of Kathmandu Bhrikuti (LCKB), voluntary donation from the elite people in the entire society who commit their support for the long-term operation of the home;

•  District Ayurveda Hospital has committed in writing to provide regular health check up of the senior citizens free of cost in and on going basis;•  Initiating agriculture based income generating activities such as cow raising (for milk), beekeeping and organic vegetable production;

•  Processing of herbs and medicinal plants at the home;

•  Development of cultural and religious documentaries for the conservation and promotion of traditional knowledge and culture and their sale;

•  Participation of local organizations throughout the project period and thereafter;

•  Muthi Daan donation: Local people have decided to provide certain amount of food grains out of their daily consumption- a fistful donation of cereal every day;

 7.0 Describe the geographical area and the communities that will be served

Project will be located in Tarkughat VDC-2 of Lamjung district. The village is located around half an hour walking distance from the Dumre-Beshishahar highway. This village is accessible to motorable road. The target people are mostly the ageing people from the local area. However, the needy people from around other adjoining districts and other parts of the country will also be given services in this home.

8.0 Provide background information other organizations participating in the project:

Many governmental and non-governmental organizations will be involved in this project. VDC, DDC and other district based governmental agencies will be involved. Similarly the local women's groups, FUGs and other local clubs will be involved from the very initiation of the project through its day-to-day running.

8.1 Sarvodaya Sewashram : Sarvodaya Sewasharam is a non governmental, non-profit making organization established with the pious aim of facilitating the harmony between natural system and human activities for the welfare of entire living beings and the universe through the adoption of natural way of life style. The attached brochure states the further detail of the Sarvodaya.

8.2 Lions Club of Kathmandu Bhrikuti (LCKB): Organized in 2006 as one of the clubs of Lions Club International District 325 B in the sponsorship of Lions Club of Kathmandu Samakhusi.

8.3 Tarkughat VDC : The body of the local government (Similar to county) covering certain geographical area from which the elected local leaders and government employees function. This is where the Lions Senior Citizen Home operates will be established.

8.4 District Development Committee (DDC) Lamjung: The fourth line down the hierarchy in the government decentralization from where the elected district chairperson carries out his/her function.

8.5 Kataharbari Community Forest Users Groups (KCFUG): The forest with 22.4 hector of land handed over to KCFUG in 1995 by the government of Nepal . This group is formed with the elected representatives from the local community and is responsible for the conservation of the forest and management of the forest products. This is one of the richest forest users groups in the district.

9.0 Lions club's involvement :

In the beginning, The Lions club of Kathmandu , Samakhusi (LCKS) will be playing the major role for securing the funds for this project. The Lions club representatives will be engaged in the designing and further implementation of the project. Lions club members will also be involved in the project management committee so that they will give their hands in the formulation of rules and regulations. Each year, two members from LCKS will participate in the executive board of the Lions Senior Citizen Home whose responsibility is to look after the day-to-day management of the home after it begins its operations. The LCKS appoints the members and sends the names to the Lions Senior Citizen Home as their representatives. These representatives brief the LCKS on the status of achievement as required. A stamp with the wording “Lions Senior Citizen Home” will be prepared and used to stamp all the correspondences. Upon inauguration of the home a signboard marked with the name “Lions Senior Citizen Home” will be posted in the building;

9.1 Community contribution: Community contribution has been considered as the most important part of the project. Land required for the home has already been provided by the Sarvodaya Sewashram. Local KCFUGs has already committed for the woods required in the project. Similarly local people and clubs are committed to provide free labor and other help for the establishment of senior citizens home.

10.0 Describe plans for identifying the project as having been made possible by LCIF
In order to show the LCIF's contribution to make this project possible, the following things will be carried out:

•  Community people as well as authorities will be conveyed from the very inception of the project that LCIF is the major donor for the establishment of the Shelter Home;
•  An informative board stating the name of the LCIF as donor and Sarvodaya Sewashram as implementer will be placed at the construction site until the entire works are completed;

10.1 Advocacy and Awareness programs:

The project will initiate the awareness campaigns and advocacy programs at the family and community level to raise the level of respect and the interest of general people towards the importance of elders and their feelings. The responsibility of a society and family to the senior citizens as well as the rights of the senior citizen will be made available through the awareness raising programmes.

10.2 Impact of the Programme :

Superficially looking, the impact of the project may be confined to providing better living conditions and care to the most needy and vulnerable segment of the senior citizens. But most importantly it will cast a very positive image about the importance of the senior citizens to the young generations and help them understand the social and family perceptions towards elder people. Starting from the local level, its positive impact spreads to the district, region and National level as well.

More specifically, the project will have the following impact:

•  Impact on living quality of senior citizens;
•  Impact on life expectancy of senior citizens;
•  Impact on the creativity of the senior citizens;
•  Impact on the society and family of senior citizens.

•  Budget: