Nagarkot Community Homestay - A quick and tranquil escape from Kathmandu

Rama’s husband worked in a restaurant. As Nagarkot is one of the destinations frequented by local travellers, people who knew Rama’s husband in the restaurant often asked him to host them when they were visiting Nagarkot and as a turn of events the couple decided to run a homestay. Now they are both involved in running the homestay. With help from her husband and children Rama learned English which has helped her communicate with the guest independently. which has helped her communicate with the guest independently.

Samjhana worked in a hospital as a nurse but had to leave her work after having a baby. After opening homestays, she is happy to be independent again even being a housewife. She can interact with the guest independently. She enjoys welcoming the travelers and is always interested to share their stories and learn about their cultures.

Parbati is a housewife with 3 children. Her husband is a farmer and she often helps him in the field. Her brother encouraged Parbati to open a homestay which has helped her family improve their financial condition. Having no education at all it has always been difficult for Parbati to understand English and thus communicate with the guests. Her children help her with guest communication and interactions. Though she now does understand a few English words she still finds it difficult to communicate back. Becoming a host has also helped her understand the importance of hygiene and cleanliness and keeps her home and surroundings clean. She thanks her family without whose support she would not become a host.

Laxmi is a housewife and her husband is a retired teacher. With the help from her community she was able to open a homestay and is glad that she is one of the few hosts in her community. When starting as a host she never thought that foreigners would be a guest in her home. As the foreigners came by her children helped her with the interactions, now she understands few English words. As a host she has become more aware about personal hygiene and cleanliness in and around her home. She also shares, she had never imagined that she would become financially independent and she is happy that she can support her family with extra income.

Indira is a housewife in her 40's and helps her husband with Agriculture. Indira was inspired to open a homestay when they stayed in a homestay on a tour to Pokhara. Becoming a host has brought positive changes in her life and she feels happy to host travelers. With the income from the homestay she has now become more independent and is also happy that she helps with her children's education. With the help from her friends in the community she is able to understand English which has helped her communicate with the guests.

Bimala’s husband works animal husbandry and she is a Housewife. She sometimes helps her husband to take care of animals. With the support from her community she has been able to open a homestay. Before opening the homestay, she always felt low because she couldn't help her family financially when in need. Now she has become an independent woman and is more confident than before. She feels glad to welcome guests and exchange stories with them.

Rasmita opened a homestay because she wanted to earn and support her husband who works for a drinking water supply company. She is fond of working in the field and growing vegetables. She feels happy to be able to serve organically grown vegetables to her guests directly from her field. One of the joys of hosting travellers comes from the interaction with them and getting to know their stories. With the help from her children she is learning english and feels more confident in communicating with the guests.