Chandraman builds a smoke-free community
Chandraman, a former migrant worker from Sindhuli, Nepal, is pioneering a smoke-free community through the Improved Cooking Stoves initiative. His efforts are reducing harmful cooking practices and inspiring positive change in his community.
Chandraman, a 44-year-old has become a true pioneer in his community, leading the way to a cleaner, and healthier environment. What started as a personal quest to improve his family’s kitchen has blossomed into a wider mission to create a smoke-free, sustainable future for his entire village.
“I’ve seen the harm smoke can cause, not just to our health but to the environment as well,” says Chandraman. “That’s why I’m so passionate about creating a smoke-free community. The improved cooking stoves I build reduce smoke, save firewood, and make life easier for families. I believe this is the way forward for a healthier and more sustainable future for us all.”
Through his determination and newly acquired skills, he has transformed not only his own household but has also become a catalyst for change, constructing more than 90 improved cooking stoves (ICS) in his community. Today, his work is helping reduce smoke, cut down on firewood use, and create a safer, eco-friendlier environment for his neighbours. His journey from overseas worker to local leader shows how one person’s efforts can spark a broader movement for positive change.
From overseas worker to local leader
Chandraman is a resident of Sindhuli, and comes from a middle-class family of 6, including his wife, daughter, 2 sons, and daughter-in-law. Due to family constraints, he could only complete his formal education up to class 4. Agriculture is the main source of income for his family.
“Living in a community where poverty and lack of opportunities were a constant challenge, I had no choice but to go abroad as a labour worker,” says Chandraman. “I worked in risky jobs like scaffolding for road construction, far from my family, just to support them and improve our lives. It wasn’t easy, but it was necessary to overcome the difficulties we faced at home.”
Chandraman is an active member of the Hariyali Community Disaster Management Committees (CDMCs) in his area. His community, located by a river, faces challenges such as poverty and unemployment, which have led many young people to seek work abroad. He worked overseas for over 5 years in countries like Malaysia and Saudi Arabia.
“Deciding to return to Nepal wasn’t easy,” says Chandraman. “After years of working abroad, I had become used to life there. But I knew I could make a real difference in my own community. I came back with a strong motive to share the knowledge and skills I had gained, to help improve the lives of those around me and build a better future here.”
Learning and leading
While recognising the community’s traditional knowledge for daily needs Chandraman understands the importance of learning new methods to address climate change issues. He worked as a carpenter in his community but did not succeed. Eventually, he joined the CDMC and gained valuable knowledge through training in early warning systems (EWS), community-based disaster risk reduction and preparedness (CDPRP), and ICS.
Chandraman shares, “Through these trainings, I learned how important it is to be aware of the risks in our community. EWS helps us prepare for disasters in advance, while CDPRP shows the power of working together to reduce those risks.”
He adds, “ICS taught me how simple changes, like using cleaner cooking stoves, can improve our health and environment. These issues are about more than just being cautious—they are about taking action now to protect our community and future.”
“ICS taught me how simple changes, like using cleaner cooking stoves, can improve our health and environment. These issues are about more than just being cautious—they are about taking action now to protect our community and future.”
Chandraman
Learning into action
The four-day training on ICS had a significant impact on Chandraman. He reflects, “I had heard about ICS on the radio and TV, but I never imagined I would be building one myself in a practical session. When I first joined the training, there were different opinions among the participants—some were excited, while others were doubtful. But after seeing the benefits firsthand, I understood how important it is for our health and environment, and now I’m proud to be part of this change.”
After learning how to build an ICS, he became an ICS volunteer and built one for his own home, despite initial doubts from his family. He says, “We use less firewood now, reducing our workload and improving kitchen sanitation.” His family now takes pride in his achievement.
As an ICS volunteer, Chandraman shares, “I was responsible for going door-to-door in my community, assessing the situation, and organising orientations for the heads of households. They had to consult with their family members to see if they were interested in building the ICS. It took nearly 5 to 6 months of creating awareness and inviting people to learn about the benefits of ICS. It was challenging, but seeing the change and understanding the importance made it all worthwhile.”
Today, Chandraman is actively involved in building more than 90 ICS units for his neighbours. The skills he gained has increased demand for his services, and he has received requests from other areas and even other districts to help with ICS construction. He has decided to turn it into a full-time profession. “I am grateful for these opportunities, as they not only meet my daily needs but also help improve my family’s well-being,” says Chandraman.
About the project
The Gender Responsive School and Community Safety Initiatives project supported by Plan International, was implemented from July 2021 to June 2024 in Sindhuli. One of the key initiatives of the project was the training of ICS volunteers, like Chandraman, who played an important role in promoting safer and more sustainable communities.
The project focused on strengthening disaster risk management capacities and promoting climate-smart safe schools. Through comprehensive training on ICS, early warning systems, and community-based disaster risk reduction and preparednes, local volunteers were equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to improve their communities. Volunteers were then empowered to share these skills with others, spreading awareness about disaster preparedness and the importance of sustainable practices, like using ICS, to reduce health risks and environmental damage.
Related pages
