A Journey Across Time
Time has its own rhythm. Sometimes it carries us forward into the unknown future, and sometimes it pulls us back into the forgotten past.
In November 2024, when I first set foot in Dolpa, I felt I was not traveling across mountains—but across time itself.
In movies, “time travel” is often a leap into the future. But in Dolpa, I felt myself traveling backward—into the stories my grandfather once told me. Stories of how his family struggled for education, health care, food, and markets.
As I walked through Mudkechula Rural Municipality, crossing the old suspension bridge at Tribeni Bazar, it felt as though I had stepped into the 1980s. The bridge was not just steel and rope—it was a portal. On one side stood the year 2024; on the other, a past era where mules still carried loads, and roads, markets, and basic services were but distant dreams.
Where mules carry loads and women carry the world, time stands still.
Where Struggles and Strength Coexist
During my field visit as a Sanitation Marketing and Sales Officer under the SUSWA Project, I had the privilege to visit Thulibheri Municipality, Tripurasundari Municipality, and Mudkechula Rural Municipality of Dolpa. Among them, Mudkechula spoke to my heart the loudest.
The geography of Karnali is breathtaking, yet every landslide, steep cliff, and unpaved trail tells a story of struggle. Without roads, people remain cut off from opportunities. Without markets, families walk four hours or more to buy even the smallest necessity. And without access, entire generations are held back—in education, health, and sanitation.
What I saw most vividly was the strength and burden carried by women. From dawn to dusk, their lives are woven with endless responsibilities—childcare, household work, livestock rearing, water collection, sanitation, and hygiene. Their resilience is inspiring, yet their workload is overwhelming. Their silent struggle reminded me how essential it is to bring change where it is needed the most.
Looking Back – My Own Journey
I was born and raised in Palpa, Lumbini Province—the Queen of Hills. My childhood was wrapped in the love of my grandparents and the warmth of a large joint family, where traditions were strong, relationships deep, and every celebration felt like a festival.
My career began as an Agriculture Technician, and little did I know that life would shape me into what I am today, carrying experiences across many disciplines.
Today, after more than 15 years in the development sector, I look back and realize:
Life is only one, but the experiences it offers are countless.
My Master’s degree in Sociology opened new perspectives, and each role I took—technical, managerial, or social—shaped me differently, expanding both my skills and my empathy.
As an Individual
My personal life has been a journey of evolving roles, each adding depth to my understanding of people and relationships.
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A daughter: I learned respect, patience, and responsibility from my parents, who taught me that strength is both physical and emotional.
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A wife: I discovered the art of balancing two worlds—my own dreams and shared goals.
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A daughter-in-law: I embraced new traditions, learning adaptability and humility.
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A mother: The most transformative role of all—teaching me unconditional love, sleepless resilience, and the ability to plan the day while thinking ten steps ahead.
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A friend: Through friendships, I’ve found laughter, support, and comfort—proof that life’s burdens are lighter when shared.
These roles aren’t just titles—they are lessons, experiences, and milestones that have shaped my personality, empathy, and outlook on life.
As a Professional
My professional path has been equally dynamic, weaving through different fields and responsibilities—each one adding new tools to my toolbox.
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Agriculture Technician: I began with the soil, learning from farmers about patience, science, and rural livelihoods.
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Marketing Supervisor: I entered the business world, learning to read markets and connect with customers.
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Program Coordinator: I learned to plan, organize, and lead teams to deliver results under pressure.
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GESI Officer: I deepened my commitment to equality, amplifying the voices of the unheard.
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Program Officer: I honed my skills in coordination, communication, and accountability.
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Sanitation Marketing and Sales Officer (SUSWA): My current role brings everything together—technical knowledge, marketing, management, and inclusion—into one mission: ensuring even the most remote communities have access to sanitation products and services.
My Role in SUSWA
Today, my work takes me across ten districts of Karnali Province—Surkhet, Dailekh, Jajarkot, Mugu, Jumla, Kalikot, Humla, Dolpa, Salyan, and Rukum West.
My responsibilities include:
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Building relationships and trust with WASH Units and local marketing agents (SMLRPs).
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Delivering training, conducting product demonstrations, and supporting lead conversion into sales.
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Linking local suppliers with markets, manufacturers, and importers.
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Designing strategies tailored to unique communities and landscapes.
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Monitoring progress, reporting, and ensuring that every effort reaches those most in need.
It’s not just about marketing—it’s about bridging gaps, building hope, and carrying opportunities across mountains where time still lingers in the past.
The Road Ahead
Yes, life is one, but experiences are uncountable. Dolpa gave me one more priceless experience—one that turned my field trip into a time travel, and my role into a mission.
The journey is far from over, and numerous steps still lie ahead. Yet with the unified effort of the Government, stakeholders, and every hand willing to build change, I believe Karnali can rise into the national mainstream.
Together, with shared hope and dedication—YES, we can make it happen.
That is why we, at SUSWA, continue to work across Karnali—improving sanitation and hygiene through multiple pathways, including enhancing market access and promoting Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI).
And now, with collective effort, we proudly mark a milestone:
In June 2025, the first sanitation shop was established in Mudkechula-4, Ila—a symbol of access and dignity.
So far, 20 WASH Marts have been established across Karnali Province, making safe sanitation products closer and more affordable than ever before.
Dolpa reminded me that progress isn’t only about roads and markets, it’s about dignity, opportunity, and hope. And through SUSWA, we carry that hope forward, one mountain, one village, and one life at a time.
