Welcome to Yvette, our new volunteer

6 Degrees recently welcomed a new volunteer, Yvette Feeke. Currently, she is still in Nepal, where she is not only enjoying her sabatical but also lending her expertise to various organisations. She recently quit her job as a manager at Ikea, where she led complex projects such as the global overhaul of the payroll administration. She is currently in-between jobs.

Support
Yvette will be supporting the women of the Eco Farm on their path towards professionalisation. "We will work together to make the farm profitable and empower the women to be self-sufficient. I've always been involved in volunteer work, such as serving as the chairperson of the Wereld Winkel in Zoetermeer," Yvette says.
"Being in Nepal for three months, I wanted to connect with organisations that have projects there to offer my assistance. That's how I got in touch with 6 Degrees through Inge from 'Sjaal met verhaal,' who imports felt products from Nepal, which we purchase from her."

Mindmap 
Yvette will spend three one-week periods in Chitwan working with the women on their progress. She has already completed one visit. "It's a wonderful group of women. We created a mind map together, and they shared a lot of information. They are highly motivated. Unfortunately, I don't speak Nepali, but Sushila has been a great help. Initially, they were a bit unsure, but after three days, they were full of energy."

"I don't have a farming background myself, which is why it's great that I can collaborate with Ramila from aQysta.
She teaches them, for example, how to make natural fertilizers and pesticides. Together, we've created a planting plan.
My role is to help them explore the market and assess the farm's yields. We take into account what hotels or other buyers need/want for each crop. This way, we adapt to the market and secure better prices and more assurance that we can actually sell the crops."

Stronger Together 
"Of course, it's quite a challenge. They will learn and grow through trial and error. But it's a motivated group. I will also assist them with their finances. Self-sufficiency also means handling their own purchasing and banking."

Meanwhile, Yvette is traveling in Nepal and occasionally benchmarking other eco farms. "Perhaps we can establish collaborations. In any case, we can learn from others. Together, you are stronger, especially in Nepal."