KATHMANDU, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- A charity project aimed at lighting up the countryside was highlighted in Kathmandu on Tuesday, under which 500 households in remote mountainous areas of Nepal shall be illuminated with solar lamps.
Initially, 90 households in Mindupa and Sim villages of Kabhreplanchowk district in Bagmati province will be covered under the project funded by Huayan Temple and Huayan Cultural and Educational Foundation from southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, and 80 households in the two villages have already been illuminated with solar lamps.
"This effort has greatly helped the people from the areas, mainly school-going children," said Dinesh Lama, chairman of Roshi Rural Municipality in Kabhreplanchowk.
Addressing a press conference about the project, Lama noted that women involved in cottage industry like sewing and knitting have benefitted from the project as well.
He added that the project is "very relevant" in Nepal, as many villages have no access to power supply.
Under another project to be launched by the temple and foundation in Chongqing, advanced water purification equipment will be installed at 100 schools in Nepal, as the country has been beset with the problem of water pollution.
Master De An, the abbot of Huayan Temple, voiced readiness to launch more charity programs to help the needy around the world in line with China's Belt and Road Initiative.
"It is believed that the installation of solar lamps will greatly improve the life quality of local people, create a better learning environment for children and enhance the potential for local development," said Ci Wang, a counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Nepal, which initiated the projects.
He said the embassy will continue to support the temple's plan to help supply clean drinking water to Nepali schools. ■