Denver-based Non-Profit Helping Marginalized
Women-Led Families in Rural Asia
zaga’s Principal Architect, Sandra Thompson, is a proud member of the Board of Directors for this amazing Denver-based non-profit. Zaga has been a platinum sponsor for NIVAS’ International Women’s Day fundraising campaign since 2022, and continues to be inspired by the tireless work they do for unhoused women-led families in rural Asia.
Helping families living in extreme poverty find dignity, security, and strength through the process of becoming homeowners.
In Nepal, land inheritance is patrilineal, meaning land is passed from father to son. This means daughters can't legally gain ownership of land through family. At the same time, lenders in Nepal do not make loans available to single women (including widowed), deeming them “not creditworthy." Becoming creditworthy requires having consistent full-time well-paid work, which is impossible when serving as sole caretaker for children. All this means single women can’t inherit or buy land for themselves. Less than 20% of women in Nepal own land and of those only 11% control their land. This is an indicator of control over all finances and property. And without ownership, women often have no options when met with domestic violence and abuse. So what is a single mother to do?
That’s where NIVAS and the concept of Housing First come in. Without a home, a family is very unlikely to succeed at exiting poverty or achieving a good education. So NIVAS starts with the basics; launching a family into a new stage of opportunity through homeownership and business education. From here, the doors of possibility open up to both mother and kids, making their efforts in school, work, and health more effective.
NIVAS’ niche in solving the housing crisis is serving the most vulnerable. Those unseen by broader programs. Their methodology is streamlined, context-adaptable, and holistic. Ending homelessness and disrupting the poverty cycle. NIVAS has helped over 2,543 people in 17 communities build safe resilient homes.
Partner with NIVAS to end homelessness for the world's most vulnerable families. You can find ways to support this wonderful organization by clicking on the images here. Here is a sample of the immediate impact your donations can make for an individual home build:
$35 All Fasteners (like nails and screws)
$58 Flashing (to keep the weather out)
$88 16MM Rebar (to add serious strength)
$220 Power & Lighting (illuminate + charge)
$300 Business Training + Seed Capital
$520 Roof (rafters, sheeting, flashing)
$6,500 Entire Home (all materials + labor)
$8,500 Family Sponsorship (all inclusive)
Learn how you can help an unhoused woman and her children.
NIVAS is improving the lives of the world’s most vulnerable population, one family at a time.
Read NIVAS’ FY 2023 Impact Report.