Ibasho Nepal

With the funding, we will focus on expanding elder-led multifaceted COVID-19 awareness campaign and income-generating activities in the Ibasho community. Since the strict lockdown from March 2020 and the second phase of lockdown from April 2021, the economic activity has weakened, social engagement has halted and access to food has become limited. The conditions of this pandemic have placed adverse strain on middle/ income families as many cannot work from home and cannot afford increased prices for food. In a traditionally social and communal culture, the lockdown has brought increased concerns to mental health.

By modeling progressive age-inclusive development, we hope to support the community in fighting the effects of COVID-19 through:

·      Increase access and awareness of COVID-19 safety protocols within the Ibasho community

·      Factual knowledge sharing regarding the Pandemic

·      Creation of Streamlined response channels for the community members

·      Increase in food security by introducing relevant agricultural practices

·      Continuation of Age-inclusive entrepreneurship

·      Support of intentional programming that supports principles of inclusion

·      Encouragement of multigenerational responses to collective emergencies.

·      Sustenance of the existing livelihood projects by building capacity of those involved Promotion of digital inclusion of the community to tackle social distancing

Ibasho, which means “a place where you can feel like yourself” in Japanese, was established to address rapid global aging and lessen the isolation too often experienced by the growing cohort of senior citizens or people aged 60 years and above. We challenge the prevalent, mostly negative perceptions of aging by empowering elders to create places where they can assist community members of all ages. Our vision is of a world that embraces the positive qualities of aging while adapting to its challenges, creating more inclusive and resilient communities by ensuring that elders remain integrated and active in their communities.

Ibasho Nepal has a holistic model- programs are set up that enable elders to lead the community resilience throughout disaster, recovery, and reconstruction phases. Ibasho has been conducting livelihood projects since August 2016 within Matatirtha community in order to support the community members and their families. Along with joint efforts from the community members and Ibasho team, vegetable farm, bio-dynamic composting, handicrafts, flower nursery, jewelry making and knitting projects have been initiated in the community.

More than one-third of adults aged 45 and older feel lonely, and nearly one-fourth of adults aged 65 and older are considered to be socially isolated. Older adults are at increased risk for loneliness and social isolation because they are more likely to face factors such as living alone, the loss of family or friends, chronic illness, and hearing loss. Social isolation was associated with 50% increased risk of dementia and other medical conditions as per the CDC.

According to WHO, the number of people aged 60 years or older will rise from 900 million to 2 billion between 2015 and 2050. Over 2 million people living in Nepal are aged over 60 which is almost 9% of the country’s total population. The Ibasho ecosystem is spread in the village of Balagaon which encompasses the community area with a population of at-least 200 elders. There are 25-30 community Members involved in the livelihood projects besides, occasional involvement of government school students, Women’s group members and 20 residents of Matatirtha Oldage Home. Ibasho model creates socially integrated and sustainable societies that value their elders, through elder-led projects that serve community members of all ages while reducing the isolation of older people.

The solution we are working towards consists of an innovative holistic model which includes multigenerational approach. 8 principles are generated which are as follows:

Principle 1: Elder Wisdom

Principle 2: Multigenerational Connections

Principle 3: Community Ownership

Principle 4: Culturally Appropriate

Principle 5: Self-sustaining

Principle 6: Demarginalization

Principle 7: Embracing Imperfection

Principle 8: Normalcy

Applying these principles in the targeted area will create a multigenerational platform where elders can pass on their wisdom and skills to the younger generation along with empowering themselves whilst the process. To strengthen the finance of the population of the targeted area, advanced trainings on vegetable farming, jewelry making, compost making and woolen products will be provided. Continuation of livelihood project will be promoted in order to uplift the living standards of the people.

Ibasho After the earthquake in 2015 that affected Nepal, activities from proven Ibasho Japan and Phillipines were introduced as part of replication invited by Bihani Social Venture in Nepal. Citing need of more structural work, Ibasho Nepal was registered as profit not distributing company in 2018. Ibasho sets up programs that enable elders to lead the community resilience throughout disaster, recovery, and reconstruction phases:

Disaster recovery phase: Facilitate elders to develop a livelihood project that benefits community members of all ages.

Disaster reconstruction phase: Co-design an Ibasho café, a place where elders are able to find their positive social roles for the members of their communities.

Disaster preparedness: Developing a “community led evacuation map” with community members in order to enhance the awareness of disaster preparedness, and discuss effective evacuation strategies among the community members.

Livelihood Projects: In order to fund the Ibasho project and generate some extra income to help support themselves and their families, the villagers began a vegetable farm, bio-dynamic composting, handicrafts, and a nursery for flowers. Project leaders for each activity were assigned from three groups: elders, women, and lower secondary school children.