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Meet Maile Lama

Meet Maile Lama

Name: Maili Lama

Age:  48

Lives in: Lamatole, Hilldevi in Nepal

Occupation: Farmer

Maili belongs to the Janjati ethnicity, a marginalized lama ethnic group in Hilldevi, Ramechhap where Tevel has been working since 2013. Married at 16, she has struggled to support her family of 6. She has a small plot of land, but prior to Tevel’s arrival, she was only growing 1-2 staple crops a year, and purchasing vegetables and off-season staples.

Maile Lama and other villagers participate in a training program at Tevel's demonstration farm.
Maile Lama and other villagers participate in a training program at Tevel’s demonstration farm.

Through Tevel’s kitchen garden program, Maili has learned how to build a greenhouse from plastic sheeting and make organic bio-pesticides with animal urine using locally made liquor drums.   She is now growing 10 varieties of vegetables for consumption and sale. “Before Tevel came, I had tried to grow vegetables, but I had problems with pests such as aphids, white flies and mildews that I couldn’t control. I worked hard, but didn’t see results. Now using the plastic greenhouses, my yields are much higher, and the liquid bio-pesticide controls the pests. I’m growing enough vegetables to eat twice a day and even have extras like tomatoes to sell in the market. With the money I am making and saving, I can pay for other things we need such as medical care and school tuition.”

Join Tevel b’Tzedek’s Bike Ride For Justice!
Join Tevel b’Tzedek on an amazing adventure while supporting Tevel’s work to transform impoverished villages. See Tevel’s work in Zambian villages, visit Victoria Falls and go on Safari. Coming Summer 2023. For more information contact: micha@tevelbtzedek.org
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