Bardiya Community Homestay - Remote jungle adventures in Western Nepal

Maya a mother of 2 children used to work in the fields before she became a homestay host. Before she often felt shy and was not confident enough to approach strangers for conversation. She has been running the homestay since last 2 years and has hosted few visitors, she now feels more confident. The homestay program has helped her to strengthen her income and also has helped her develop a personality.

Aasha who relied on agriculture as her main source of income has been a host since last 2 years. After she started  a homestay, she is now able to contribute an extra income to the family which supports her children's education, household expenses and support to the older ones of the family.

Suma is a 30 year old housewife prior to being a homestay host, she was a housewife and the whole family depended on her husband’s income. With her involvement in the community homestay she has been able to generate some income on her own which she utilizes to support her family and children’s education.

Before starting a homestay,Sarmila’s main source of  income was agriculture but now her involvement in a homestay has given her family an opportunity to earn from multiple sources. She is very thankful towards homestay organizers which has made her able to talk with everyone freely and she has learned many things from the training provided by homestay network. Now she is more concerned about cleanliness program, good accommodation and tourism which has become the main income to fulfill their daily needs.

Janaki used to be very shy and didn't get any chance to be  involved in tharu culture and traditions. But now because of homestay she is confident to speak with everyone and is able to share her cultural and traditions through cultural programs organized in homestays The homestay also provides good income  which has helped her to provide better education to her children. Because of homestay she is being aware about the importance of cleanliness and tourism.

Laxmi is a 49 year old housewife prior to being a homestay host, she was a housewife and the whole family depended on her husband’s income. With her involvement in the community homestay she has been able to generate some income on her own which she utilizes to support her family and children’s education.

Before starting a homestay,agriculture was the main source of income for Sunita and her Family. The income was marginal and often not enough.  After she started a homestay, many things have changed in her life. Now, she has extra income source which can give good education to her children and now the family is not fully depend on her husband's income only. 

According to her, if this community homestay go in sustainable manner then her children and family will have a good future regarding education, accommodation, accessibility e.t.c. She can learn many things by staying at home through the conversation of guests.Now, her husband doesn't have to go to other places to work. 

Indra is involved with community homestay not only as a host but also as a performer of the cultural show. She feels highly motivated with her efforts to promote her culture and present their traditions to the visitors.

Panchi is a 47 year old housewife prior to being a homestay host, she was a housewife and the whole family depended on her husband’s income. With her involvement in the community homestay she has been able to generate some income and is able to help her husband support their family of 10 members.

Ramkumari is a housewife and takes care of her children and her whole family. Prior to running the homestay her family depends on her husband's income which was marginal. While running the homestay, she learned to make handicrafts from the training given from homestay network. Now, her family not only earns from the agriculture but also from hosting guests and selling handicrafts. The family now earns enough to run their daily needs and send her children to school.

She is very happy and thankful towards homestay as it created a vast difference in her life to fulfill her basic needs along with children's education and now there is good accommodation and accessibility at her home.

Meet Sunita,

Before starting a homestay,agriculture was the main source of income for Sunita and her Family. The income was marginal and often not enough.  After she started a homestay, many things have changed in her life. Now, she has extra income source which can give good education to her children and now the family is not fully depend on her husband's income only.

Sabita used to be very shy and didn't get any chance to be involved in tharu culture and traditions. But now because of homestay she is confident to speak with everyone and is able to share her cultural and traditions through cultural programs organized in homestays.  The homestay also provides good income which has helped her to provide better education to her children.

Champi is a 48 year old housewife prior to being a homestay host, she was a housewife and the whole family depended on her husband’s income. With her involvement in the community homestay she has been able to generate some income and is able to help her husband support their family of 9 members.