0:00:08 > 0:00:11This is Nepal.
0:00:11 > 0:00:15People travel from all over to see the spectacular beauty
0:00:15 > 0:00:18of the Himalayas and experience the rich culture.
0:00:19 > 0:00:23But away from the tourist trails, Nepal is one of the poorest
0:00:23 > 0:00:24countries in the world.
0:00:26 > 0:00:3080% of people here live in rural areas and rely
0:00:30 > 0:00:32on the land for their livelihoods.
0:00:32 > 0:00:34But the harsh landscape, the lack of water
0:00:34 > 0:00:38and energy means many communities suffer from a shortage of food.
0:00:38 > 0:00:40Millions are faced with poor nutrition
0:00:40 > 0:00:45and sanitation, and only have the basic healthcare and education.
0:00:45 > 0:00:47It's a cycle of poverty that's inherited
0:00:47 > 0:00:49generation after generation.
0:00:52 > 0:00:55'I've come to meet mother of three Sumina.'
0:00:55 > 0:00:58Namaste. Hello, nice to meet you.
0:00:58 > 0:00:59Thank you.
0:00:59 > 0:01:04'She lives in a remote village in the foothills of the Himalayas.'
0:01:05 > 0:01:07She relies on crops for both food and income.
0:01:10 > 0:01:13But for nine months of the year, the land is dry.
0:01:15 > 0:01:18TRANSLATION: I couldn't grow vegetables as there was no water
0:01:18 > 0:01:21to irrigate my vegetable garden.
0:01:21 > 0:01:23It was very difficult for me to feed my family.
0:01:23 > 0:01:26I did not have enough to feed my children.
0:01:27 > 0:01:31That's because Sumina's only water source is a river
0:01:31 > 0:01:33far below her village.
0:01:34 > 0:01:37TRANSLATION: Carrying water is heavy and hard,
0:01:37 > 0:01:40so I used to get problems in my stomach.
0:01:40 > 0:01:42I would feel very tired.
0:01:42 > 0:01:46I wanted to water all the plants but I just couldn't carry enough water.
0:01:47 > 0:01:51Spending the precious little money she did have buying food
0:01:51 > 0:01:54meant her children's education suffered.
0:01:55 > 0:01:58TRANSLATION: I couldn't send my children to a good school.
0:01:58 > 0:02:00I felt sad and thought,
0:02:00 > 0:02:04"When can I give my children what they want and deserve?"
0:02:04 > 0:02:07I used to feel like crying.
0:02:07 > 0:02:09I used to feel so desperate.
0:02:13 > 0:02:16Sumina's experience is not unique.
0:02:16 > 0:02:19Millions across Nepal face the same hardships.
0:02:20 > 0:02:23Spending time with this community really hits home
0:02:23 > 0:02:26how difficult life can be without the things that we take
0:02:26 > 0:02:29for granted back home, like water and electricity.
0:02:29 > 0:02:33That's why I am appealing to you on behalf of Renewable World,
0:02:33 > 0:02:36a UK charity that works in developing countries
0:02:36 > 0:02:39to tackle poverty through renewable energy.
0:02:43 > 0:02:46Sita is 28 years old.
0:02:46 > 0:02:50She lives with her family in the Terai region of Nepal.
0:02:50 > 0:02:54Like all the women in the community, she uses wood for cooking.
0:02:54 > 0:02:57But this causes serious health problems.
0:02:57 > 0:03:02- TRANSLATION:- We inhale smoke and ash from the fire.
0:03:02 > 0:03:04It does a lot of harm to us.
0:03:04 > 0:03:08We inhale smoke that goes to our lungs and our hearts,
0:03:08 > 0:03:09so we are often unwell.
0:03:12 > 0:03:16Every year nearly two million people, mainly women and children,
0:03:16 > 0:03:19die from indoor air pollution.
0:03:20 > 0:03:23And Sita has to collect firewood by the river every day.
0:03:25 > 0:03:28This can be extremely dangerous.
0:03:30 > 0:03:33- TRANSLATION:- In the monsoon we try to fish for wood
0:03:33 > 0:03:35that has been swept away downstream.
0:03:35 > 0:03:40But it is too risky, because we can easily be swept away from the bank.
0:03:41 > 0:03:46Last year, two of Sita's friends were killed doing just that.
0:03:46 > 0:03:49But the women of the community have little choice.
0:03:53 > 0:03:56- TRANSLATION:- We don't have wood to cook a meal, so we have to go.
0:03:56 > 0:04:00That's the reason why the two women took a risk and lost their lives.
0:04:04 > 0:04:08Fortunately, there is a charity that can help people like Sita.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12Renewable World works with local partners to help isolated
0:04:12 > 0:04:16communities to gain access to sustainable energy like solar,
0:04:16 > 0:04:18wind and biogas.
0:04:18 > 0:04:22These projects help improve income, education
0:04:22 > 0:04:25and healthcare for some of the most vulnerable people in the world.
0:04:28 > 0:04:32I've come to meet Nick Virr from Renewable World.
0:04:32 > 0:04:36This solar water development in the village of Tanke
0:04:36 > 0:04:38is just one of the charity's projects.
0:04:38 > 0:04:42Nick, what were the problems the community were facing here?
0:04:42 > 0:04:44This community had a lack of water,
0:04:44 > 0:04:48and that's been mainly caused by a shift in the monsoon pattern.
0:04:48 > 0:04:51And significantly, the community is a long way above
0:04:51 > 0:04:53a decent water source.
0:04:53 > 0:04:56Using solar technology, the charity lifted
0:04:56 > 0:05:00the water from a spring 60 metres uphill to the village,
0:05:00 > 0:05:03providing clean drinking water all year round.
0:05:03 > 0:05:05Once the water's available, it can also be used
0:05:05 > 0:05:09for production, and that's a really important step.
0:05:09 > 0:05:12So you can start growing cash crops, you can grow garlic,
0:05:12 > 0:05:16chillies, things that can be sold at the local market,
0:05:16 > 0:05:18and then that increases the revenue for the family
0:05:18 > 0:05:20by around 40 to 50% per annum.
0:05:20 > 0:05:23- Really, that much? - Yes, it is, yeah.
0:05:24 > 0:05:27The charity also provides small business training.
0:05:27 > 0:05:31Well, ultimately we want to leave people with small enterprises,
0:05:31 > 0:05:34generating a sustainable source of income,
0:05:34 > 0:05:37and then consequently, you see people grow,
0:05:37 > 0:05:40and you see the confidence on their faces, and you know
0:05:40 > 0:05:44the community itself can stand on its own two feet when we leave it.
0:05:48 > 0:05:53Renewable World works with 23 rural communities across Nepal.
0:05:53 > 0:05:55They have transformed lives,
0:05:55 > 0:05:58giving people the chance to lift themselves out of poverty,
0:05:58 > 0:06:02and most importantly, take control of their own future.
0:06:06 > 0:06:09The charity installed a pump to take water from the river
0:06:09 > 0:06:11straight up to Sumina's crops.
0:06:13 > 0:06:17Look at all of these vegetables. It's amazing!
0:06:17 > 0:06:21- TRANSLATION:- Yes, I have access to water all year round.
0:06:21 > 0:06:26I've planted potatoes, cabbages, tomatoes.
0:06:26 > 0:06:29I take vegetables to the market and sell them.
0:06:29 > 0:06:34I use the money for the children's education, food and clothing.
0:06:36 > 0:06:41The whole community are now able to grow crops thanks to the pump.
0:06:41 > 0:06:44And it's Sumina's responsibility to manage the project.
0:06:46 > 0:06:49- TRANSLATION:- I am able to look after my family's needs.
0:06:49 > 0:06:53I feel capable, and I'm full of happiness.
0:06:55 > 0:06:59And thanks to Renewable World, Sita will no longer
0:06:59 > 0:07:02have to risk her life foraging for firewood.
0:07:02 > 0:07:05The charity has started constructing a biogas plant
0:07:05 > 0:07:08that will provide clean energy for cooking.
0:07:08 > 0:07:12TRANSLATION: No more will we have to inhale smoke.
0:07:12 > 0:07:14All we have to do is light a match
0:07:14 > 0:07:17and the gas stove is on, which is so good for us.
0:07:19 > 0:07:24The community have invested in cattle, not only to fuel the plant,
0:07:24 > 0:07:25but also to generate income.
0:07:27 > 0:07:31TRANSLATION: In the morning, buffalo milk can be sold to the dairy farm,
0:07:31 > 0:07:33so we get money.
0:07:34 > 0:07:37And this system produces a valuable by-product.
0:07:39 > 0:07:42TRANSLATION: The fertilizer that comes from the biogas plant
0:07:42 > 0:07:45will be used to grow vegetables.
0:07:45 > 0:07:48We are so pleased to get so many benefits from the project.
0:07:52 > 0:07:56Renewable World have helped over 20,000 people worldwide
0:07:56 > 0:07:57out of poverty.
0:07:57 > 0:08:02But 2.7 billion people still have no access to modern energy
0:08:02 > 0:08:04that could help transform their lives.
0:08:04 > 0:08:08And so, this is where you can make a real difference.
0:08:08 > 0:08:13Please visit the website, where you can make a donation.
0:08:13 > 0:08:18If you haven't got the internet, then call 0800 011 011.
0:08:18 > 0:08:21And if you can't get through, please, please keep trying.
0:08:21 > 0:08:27You can also donate £10 by texting DONATE to 70121.
0:08:27 > 0:08:31Texts cost £10 plus your standard network message charge,
0:08:31 > 0:08:35and the whole £10 goes to Renewable World.
0:08:35 > 0:08:38Full terms and conditions can be found at bbc.co.uk/lifeline.
0:08:39 > 0:08:42Telephone calls are free from most landlines.
0:08:42 > 0:08:46Some networks and mobile operators will charge for these calls.
0:08:46 > 0:08:49Or if you'd like to post a donation, please make your cheque payable
0:08:49 > 0:08:54to Renewable World and send it to Freepost, BBC Lifeline Appeal,
0:08:54 > 0:08:57writing "Renewable World" on the back of the envelope.
0:08:57 > 0:09:00And if you want the charity to claim Gift Aid on your donation,
0:09:00 > 0:09:02please include an e-mail or postal address
0:09:02 > 0:09:04so they can send you a Gift Aid form.
0:09:04 > 0:09:06Thank you.
0:09:07 > 0:09:09Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd