ICA Social Artistry with English Subtitles

According to Jean Houston Foundation;

“Social Artistry is the art of enhancing human capacities in the light of social complexity. It seeks to bring new ways of thinking, being and doing to social challenges in the world.

Drawing upon its successes in training leaders in many countries and organizations throughout the world, social artistry brings state of the art discoveries in human capacity building to social transformation. Thus, it seeks to build a planetary society based on the principles of democracy, sustainable development, human-based needs and values, universal human rights, environmental protection, social justice, equality and the sovereignty and dignity of all peoples worldwide.

Social Artists are leaders in many fields who bring the same order of passion and skill that an artist brings to his or her art form and to the canvas of our social reality. It is within the deep work of Social Artistry that we can access the inner capacities to align ourselves with the earth's higher purpose. Ultimately, it is about all of us together co-creating the human and social changes needed to make a better world. The core of this program is the 10 day summer leadership institute”

Jean Houston Foundation

The Jean Houston Foundation was created as a non-profit leadership training organization, specializing in exploring and applying untapped human capacities in its participants to assist in creating positive change at the local and global level. Its programs hold a direct focus on whole-systems change and personal empowerment and work directly with and within organizations such as the United Nations and other professional bodies and institutions throughout the world to train 10,000 trainers, ultimately reaching 100 million people in the next ten years. Social Artistry is the core activity of the organization where they offer social artistry training including its advanced course and training of trainers.

ICA Nepal and Jean Houston Foundation

ICA Nepal and Jean Houston Foundation have been working in collaboration since 2005AD. Social Artistry and leadership training is one of the important part of ICA Nepal as well. ICA Nepal annually conducts more than 15 training in various communities and organization of Nepal. ICA Nepal conducts the training from ranging one day to 10 days in duration.The sole purpose of social Artistry training is to develop social leaders and artist and develop artistic approach in social behavior of people. The major objective of ICA Nepal is also community development and Social Artistry training provides a wonderful approach to meet the objectives. Hence, various trainings have been given in different community groups and organization on Social Artistry and leadership. 

We are on Youtube!!

Hey ICA supporters!! 

ICA Nepal has started making videos and photo compilation of all of its works so it becomes easier to know us more and we can also get more connected to all of you. 

Watch some of our latest videos: (✿◠‿◠)

All about ICA Nepal: 

Know about Social Artistry Leadership Training: 

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Rebuilding Changunarayan

ICA Nepal in Action: 

Thank you!!

ICA Nepal supporting community for Coping with Disasters

When Italy and Myanmar got hit by tremor higher than 6 magnitudes  just few months ago , highly empathetic were the Nepalese who suffered from similar heart wrenching tremor just a year ago. This shows how deep is the roots of trauma and psychological impact had the earthquake made. We say we don't need support anymore, but every support program has only helped us get better and recovered from the destructive experience. 

Considering this very fact, ICA Nepal provided psychosocial support for "Coping with disasters" at Changunarayan aiming atleast 30 participants each time. This is under the project being supported by MOFA Japan in coordination with ICA Japan. 

The series of training began after the TOT conducted by psychologist Shruti Rana on all the necessary steps to be taken care of at the field while dealing with children, elderly citizens, women and other members. With the aim of supporting the people of Changunarayan in overcoming the trauma faced by them, the training teaches the participants different ways to deal with stress,  positive imagination, hearing praises, what to do during disasters, the actual causes of disasters etc. The training covers female, male as well as adolescents and children as the participants. With the high number of participants in each training, it has been evident that these training have been helpful for the people of Changunarayan as all of them have given positive feedback. Thus,  with each and every session, putting an end to the psychosocial problems prevalent in the community is getting closer.

Participating in Online fundraising training by Global giving

As the fundraising campaign "Provide one ambulance for Archale Village, Nuwakot" in Globalgiving comes to an end, the representative of ICA Nepal in the Globalgiving accelerator and campaign leader, Ms. Pritha Khanal shares her descriptive experiences and learning from the 2 weeks long training. 

"A month before the training started, I received a mail from Globalgiving stating about an online training on crowdfunding and fundraising  which was called Globalgiving Accelerator. Remembering my prior efforts in crowdfunding and the utter failure in raising any money, I decided to join this training in the hopes to learn some technique or strategies in learning about the online fundraising. And I must admit, the training was totally worth it.

The training provided a detail insight on how we are supposed to start if we are thinking of raising funds through online platforms. Crowd funding, as easy as it sounds is not so, infact, it is very much difficult. Jumping without any prior information at hand and a very clear strategic planning, would only result in failure, loss of time and effort. However, if done everything in right way, crowdfunding would be a major boon for your organization's financial status.

Therefore, what are the important things to be taken care of are that you need to have a clear vision and detail planning to make that vision come true. And a detail planning includes SMART goals. Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timebound. If your goals lack any of this element, its highly likely to invite challenges and failures. Next very much important thing is a highly active and competent team and proper network mapping. Without mapping the network with your team and reaching to every possible individual and organizations, the success is hard to achieve. Then comes the most important part, telling your story to the donors where focusing in why your cause matters and how the donors contribution will impact your beneficiaries is very important.

Well, that's what I got to learn in the training. Then, we launched our campaign "Providing an ambulance to Archale village in Nuwakot" and with full enthusiasm I jump to apply all the techniques and still failed!

Yes, we weren't successful on reaching our goals. But from the day campaign started to the day it ended, there were quite a lot experience I had already gained.

Firstly, we started without proper knowledge about the place we are about to provide the ambulance, which was the biggest blunder and realization. Having proper photos ( and proper includes highly appealing individuals,children, their natural state) is very important. Some videos and case stories about the relevant beneficiaries would be cherry on the top, however, photos are basics. So, not having very strong materials to communicate was our weak spot.

Then, a team work. Since one individual getting involved in the project would only reach limited potential donors, it is very important to have a team and contact every potential supporter of the team members. Networking mapping is another must do thing where all the team members must join their heads and map every potential donor on their list. Which is where we lacked and which I consider a big challenge for a small organization like ours where all the staffs wont be able to contribute all their time and effort to one single campaign. Anyway, team effort is the must.

Then a proper strategic plan is where we lacked because the plan I had didn't work. I had Plan A, and Plan B but not Plan C or D or E, because that's very important to have alternate ideas and plan. Especially when it is the first time because you reach everyone without hints of  who are actually supportive and who are not. Therefore a proper strategy and indepth network mapping to collect particular amount with particular group within fixed time is very much important.

There are much more factors to consider in coming days as well. But, next time I am sure these factors will be solved and we can succeed over these mentioned issues.

Personally it was an enlightening experience for me. I had to reach out to so many people I would have never thought of connecting with. I had to ask for donations again and again and face the refusal, the denial, the irritation by some, the acceptance and no support from some, and many difficult instances. But amidst everything I  also received encouragement, motivation, support through donations and shares, the "Good job" comments, the "keep it up" comments and lot more. I learned the value of single share on facebook, literally, lol ;)

So, All in all it was an enriching experience of the training. To anyone who are considering raising funds through online platforms, please go through all the points mentioned above and prepare yourself very well before hitting the website and expecting money to roll in. One of the comments I really liked when attending the Globalgiving fundraising conference  conducted on 23rd September,2016 by Globalgiving UK was that crowdfunding is being "consistently optimistic" which is harder than it sounds at times, after all it is about getting money out of people's pocket for a cause you feel is good. Challenges are a part of it, however, a little effort of shaping your strategies is all that it takes. "



(Ms. Pritha Khanal works as a Program Officer in ICA Nepal and is also an anthropology student and looks after her blog: www.prithakhanal.com ) 

Help Archale get an Ambulance

This is Archale village, Nuwakot.

Archale is one of the most backward villages in Nuwakot district which was also one of the worst hit areas in Nepal Earthquake 2015.The village is highly deprived from basic facilities such as health and transportation which has created highly adverse impact on their livelihood.

Archale village with 250 household and 1125 total populations is a very backward district in terms of health facilities and infrastructural development. There is 1 health center in the village which is in 1 hour walking distance from village. There are no proper health facilities and health workers who used to provide services have also decreased after earthquake. There is only 1 female worker in the health center now.

The village especially faces many reproductive health problems among women which are not even reported or treated well. There were so many uterus prolapsed cases recorded once when a health camp came in village post earthquake. That time only, villagers could get idea how women are facing the uterus prolapsed problems but were hiding throughout the period. Therefore, the taboo bound and conservative mindset in the society has limited the villagers to be more preventive of health issues. Therefore, we realized it is very much important to raise health awareness in the village as well.

The roads are damaged and it takes almost couple of hours for a local bus to arrive. There are no proper health services in the village and villagers have to reach Trishuli district hospital, the nearest hospital which is around 12 km from the village area. In case of emergencies villagers carry the patient in stretcher to the bus stop in most of times. People have lost their lives in simple health problems like appendicitis due to delay in getting health services

To minimize this problem, Archale is asking for an ambulance, a transport which will ensure their timely access to hospital.An ambulance( a mini van with minimum basic medical equipment ) would be provided to Archale which will be taken care by local women group and they will ensure the maintainence of the vehicle. 

Therefore Support Us. Support ICA Nepal raise enough money for an ambulance. Your every single penny counts a lot!! 

View the link : https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/provide-one-ambulance-for-archale-village-of-nepal/

Help Archale get an Ambulance

This is Archale village, Nuwakot.

Archale is one of the most backward villages in Nuwakot district which was also one of the worst hit areas in Nepal Earthquake 2015.The village is highly deprived from basic facilities such as health and transportation which has created highly adverse impact on their livelihood.

Archale village with 250 household and 1125 total populations is a very backward district in terms of health facilities and infrastructural development. There is 1 health center in the village which is in 1 hour walking distance from village. There are no proper health facilities and health workers who used to provide services have also decreased after earthquake. There is only 1 female worker in the health center now.

The village especially faces many reproductive health problems among women which are not even reported or treated well. There were so many uterus prolapsed cases recorded once when a health camp came in village post earthquake. That time only, villagers could get idea how women are facing the uterus prolapsed problems but were hiding throughout the period. Therefore, the taboo bound and conservative mindset in the society has limited the villagers to be more preventive of health issues. Therefore, we realized it is very much important to raise health awareness in the village as well.

The roads are damaged and it takes almost couple of hours for a local bus to arrive. There are no proper health services in the village and villagers have to reach Trishuli district hospital, the nearest hospital which is around 12 km from the village area. In case of emergencies villagers carry the patient in stretcher to the bus stop in most of times. People have lost their lives in simple health problems like appendicitis due to delay in getting health services

To minimize this problem, Archale is asking for an ambulance, a transport which will ensure their timely access to hospital.An ambulance( a mini van with minimum basic medical equipment ) would be provided to Archale which will be taken care by local women group and they will ensure the maintainence of the vehicle. 

Therefore Support Us. Support ICA Nepal raise enough money for an ambulance. Your every single penny counts a lot!! 

View the link : https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/provide-one-ambulance-for-archale-village-of-nepal/

Bocha: Project Shake-it-Up-Nepal

EcoBling, a social enterprise dedicated to creating a healthier and happier world, which is based in Australia and ICA Nepal collaborated to uplift the socio-economical status of Bocha, a village that was largely destroyed during the disastrous earthquake of 2015. The main objective of the project is to rebuild the community through the construction of learning center, develop entrepreneurship and uplift economic status by producing earthquake rubbles jewelries.

A team that consisted of members from both ICA Nepal and EcoBling travelled to Bocha as a scooping trip to introduce the people there to ICA Nepal and EcoBling and at the same time teach them how to make unique, gorgeous piece of jeweler from materials that are often neglected such as pieces of bricks, stones and woods. The participants were also taught to use the tools to prepare jewelry out of pieces of bricks, which was later gifted to the villagers, as support from EcoBling. The jewelry will be made by the villagers as per order and after being glazed will be handed to ICA Nepal, which will be sold in the international market. As a help to build entrepreneurship, the crafters of the jewels will be paid per bead of jewel.

This is just a beginning stage of the project. ICA Nepal with the support of EcoBling will be building a community leaning center at Bocha for the rehabilitation of the community. Also, in order to generate fund for this noble cause, a promotional video will be made, which will star celebrities such as Ms Shreya Sotang. Moreover, EcoBling is also building up supporters and networks for the project, which will be launching in November 2016 as per the plan. So far, the people of Bocha are very pleased to have received so much support and are also highly enthusiastic to make this business a success.