Hands-On Institute

नेपाल सरकारद्वारा “नमूना दलित होमस्टे” सुरु गर्ने घोषणालाई हामी हार्दिक स्वागत गर्दछौं। आगामी आर्थिक वर्षको बजेट भाषणमार्फत अर्थमन्त्री Swarnim Waglé संस्कृति, पर्यटन तथा नागरिक उड्डयन मन्त्री गनेस पौडेलले यो पहललाई राष्ट्रिय प्राथमिकतामा राख्नुभएकोमा हार्दिक आभार व्यक्त गर्दछौं।

२०१७ मा तनहुँको आपश्वारामा Hands-On Institute र स्थानीय दलित समुदायको साझेदारीमा सुरु भएको “आपश्वारा कम्युनिटी दलित होमस्टे” नेपालमै यस्तो पहिलो प्रयास थियो। त्यसपछिका वर्षहरूमा यो होमस्टेले अमेरिका, फ्रान्स, जर्मनी, जापान, अस्ट्रेलिया, स्विट्जरल्यान्ड र फिनल्यान्डसहित 28 देशका पर्यटकहरूलाई स्वागत गर्‍यो।

“यसले हाम्रो संस्कृति संरक्षण मात्र गरेन, हामीलाई सामाजिक भेदभावका बाबजुद मर्यादासाथ बाँच्न पनि मद्दत गरेको छ।”

दलित समुदाय केवल श्रम वा सीपको प्रतीक मात्र होइनन्, उनीहरूको संस्कृति, जीवनशैली, कथा र आतिथ्य नेपालको पर्यटनको अमूल्य सम्पत्ति हो।

आगामी बजेटमा मधेश, कर्णाली र सुदूरपश्चिमका सघन दलित बस्तीहरूलाई लक्षित गरी नमूना होमस्टे सञ्चालन गर्ने घोषणा भएको छ। आपश्वाराको सिकाइले अब देशभरि फैलिने बाटो खुलेको छ।

हामी आफ्नो अनुभव, सिकाइ र यात्रा सबैसँग साझा गर्न सदैव तयार छौं।

पर्यटन केवल घुमफिर होइन
यो सामाजिक विभेद तोड्ने, सम्मान निर्माण गर्ने र समुदायलाई सशक्त पार्ने माध्यम हो।

🙏 आपश्वाराबाट सुरु भएको यो यात्रा अझ धेरै समुदायसम्म पुगोस्।

Encouraging update for travel to Nepal 🇳🇵

Following the 5 March elections, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and other international advisories have lifted the temporary movement restrictions previously in place. The latest guidance is now more encouraging for travel.

Throughout this period, Nepal remained a safe destination for well-managed travel. At Hands-On Institute, we continuously monitor official guidance and work closely with trusted local partners to ensure our student programmes operate safely and responsibly.

We look forward to continuing to welcome student groups to Nepal.

: Read our latest travel advice for addition of information that following Nepal’s election on 5 March restrictions on movement have been lifted, but the risk of travel disruption remains as the vote count and results are announced: https://ow.ly/8rCY50Yq3Xl

2025 quietly gave us a lot to be grateful for.
And we stepped into 2026 with full hearts.

We wrapped up 2025 with the Community, Technology, and Sustainability in Nepal (Winter Break Intensive), a joint collaboration between Hands-On Institute and the University of California (UC Davis), filled with learning, exchange, and moments that reminded us why we do what we do.

Also sharing a few glimpses from our other 2025 hands-on trips, alongside other journeys that made the year special.

As we welcome 2026, we’re excited to keep creating meaningful learning experiences and sharing more along the way.
Here’s to new journeys ahead.

In the middle of the field, she held a rice stem still warm from the sun, as a farmer showed her how the grains form and bend; carefully, like he’d done it a thousand times.

These are the kinds of details that don’t make it into textbooks, like how the soil smells different after a good rain, or how planting starts with a moon cycle, not a calendar.

And in this corner of the world, the land is still the best teacher.

I had the opportunity to travel with a group from UC Davis, revisiting familiar places, but this time alongside people experiencing them for the first time.

Each day was a blend of field visits, conversations with local women, and enjoying with friends.
What stood out most was the shared experiences: meals, long walks, spontaneous games, and working through challenges together. It was learning from UC Davis students, absorbing their creativity, project design, and management skills. It was the moments of relaxation, the skill-sharing sessions, bonfires, and watching the moonrise together. It was the bond we formed, celebrating the diversity each of us brought to the table.

These little big memories of learning, laughter, the ups and downs, morning walks, late-night conversations, and sharing meals are what I’ll cherish most. They made familiar places feel more special.

Rakshya Khadgi, Research Officer, Dalit Lives Matter

“Before coming to Nepal, I worried that I would be overwhelmed by how different it would feel compared to the places I’ve lived all my life.”
– Reese Gallagher, BA in Sociology, Los Angeles, California

Reese joined the 2023 Nepal Exchange Program with curiosity, and a bit of uncertainty. It was her first time in Asia, and she wasn’t sure how she’d feel in a place so far from everything familiar.

At first, everything did feel new. The language, the pace, the daily routines.

But gradually, that newness settled. Days became more predictable. Faces became familiar. Meals were shared easily, even without many words.

Nepal didn’t become less different, it just stopped feeling distant.

“After coming to Nepal and experiencing the warmth and hospitality of the
people I met during my trip, the country changed from feeling completely unfamiliar to an extension of home.”

Applications Now Open!

UC Davis–Nepal Learning Exchange 2025/26

A collaborative, immersive program connecting 16 Nepali youth with 20 students from UC Davis to explore themes of community, technology, and sustainability through hands-on fieldwork, cultural exchange, and team-based learning.

Where: Kathmandu & Machhapuchhre Village
When: December 15, 2025 – January 1, 2026
Application Deadline: July 31, 2025

Why Join?
-Work on community-led projects with real impact
-Build international teamwork and research skills
-Explore themes like sustainable tourism, agriculture & heritage
-Connect with youth from across Nepal and the U.S.

Apply Now: https://shorturl.at/xj6sA
Questions? Email us: [email protected]

In Nepal, “Namaste” is a common greeting, used when meeting and parting.

But it carries a deeper meaning.
The word roughly means, “The divine in me honors the divine in you.”

It reflects the cultural emphasis on respect, humility, and human connection.

You’ll hear it everywhere, from busy markets to quiet mountain trails, often accompanied by a slight bow and palms pressed together at the chest.