A WORCESTER group is trying to raise money for a project which will help women in Kathmandu get work and become more independent.

On a recent trip to Nepal, Trevor and June Lloyd-Adams, who are members of Worcester Lions Club, visited a refuge where 26 women and their 64 children were being housed.

The house is situated in a slum area and although there is a little electricity, there is no running water and only an outside toilet.

Worcester Lions Club has joined forces with its twinned club in France to raise money for a project to help the women find work and provide for their children.

Mrs Lloyd-Adams said: “These women are just a few who find themselves in this situation following 10 years of civil unrest in Nepal. There are at least 2,000 street children in Kathmandu alone.

“After long discussions with local Lions clubs, Kathmandu University and many social workers, a scheme has been devised that will assist these 26 women to allow them to work, earn money and thus feed, clothe and educate their children. Most importantly, they will gain some self-respect.”

Kathmandu sits in a huge valley and is surrounded by fertile hills where local villagers grow fruit and vegetables. In order to sell the excess produce, the villagers have to load the produce onto their backs and take what they can to sell either to wholesalers or directly to the public in the streets of Kathmandu.

Mrs Lloyd-Adams said: “If a lorry could be provided to collect the produce on a daily basis, it could be taken back to a central point and off-loaded onto vegetable carts by the women – who would then be able to sell the produce themselves.

“Any produce left over could be sold the next day or be bought by the women, from their earnings and fed to their children.

“It’s a win-win situation – less work for the villagers and potentially greater earnings; work for the women and potentially food for their families; money to buy food, clothes and education and a great chance to re-form the family life.”

The retired couple, of Kempsey, near Worcester, have also received support from the Ladies Lions Club of Kathmandu.

For further information or to donate to the cause, call 07815 096841 or e-mail june.lloyd.adams@hotmail. co.uk.