Welcome to the Far West

The Far Westen region of Nepal is most often described as being "less developed." I thought that description was super vague and unhelpful until I moved there. Less developed is exactly what it is. There are fewer roads, lower population density, more homes and villages with no access to electricity, fewer cement buildings, fewer private schools and colleges, you see less western style clothing, have access to fewer luxury goods, and the people hold stronger to traditional beliefs. Aside from that, the Far West is very much like every other part of  Nepal I have ever experienced. I suppose when you get down to it, Nepal is Nepal no matter where you go.

The biggest town in my area, Gaira.

I get to enjoy the most amazing sunrises every morning right outside my bedroom door.

I don't know what it is about nurseries that make me so happy, but after stumbling upon this one one day, I fell in love with my community all over again.

Work

A typical training given by my counterpart

Learning how to build improved cook stoves

Getting to meetings isn't always so easy. Many villages are not connected to a road and footpaths aren't always as clearly marked as you would expect. It makes for some fun adventures, as long as you don't mind getting lost in the wilderness too much. 

Potato test plots

Holi: festival of colors

Creative fundraising - this woman's group danced around in the middle of the highway until vehicles trying to get through made a donation.