- Age: 51
- City/ Country: Balagaon, Nepal
- Past Occupation: Farming/ Homemaker
Current role in Ibasho:
Vegetable Farming Leader. Nanu Balami is responsible for the activities in the vegetable farm by mobilising the community members.
How does she/he contribute to community through Ibasho?
She has played a significant role in the growth of the farm and was instrumental in shifting the farm to a bigger space. She has been an active participant in all Ibasho activities and programmes inspiring and ensuring that everyone in the community benefits through participation.
Why did you decided to involve in the Ibasho?
I decided to get involved in Ibasho as I felt that it is beneficial for me. I have also been interested and involved in Farming and since Vegetable Farm is part of Ibasho’s livelihood project, I was eager to get involved and improve the learning and skills I already had. I decided to take on the leadership role because I want to create opportunities in the village, especially for women. Most of the women and men in the community work as daily wage laborers on other’s farm so, I wanted to involve them in Ibasho Projects so that they have opportunities within the community. I also want to involve the entire community and make people aware about the Ibasho principles which utilizes skills and experiences which can be implemented for local development instead of staying idle at any age.
How do you would like to see the Ibasho grow in your community?
I want Ibasho to be known to every single person in the village and especially the fact that you can work independently through Ibasho. I would like to continue with the work that we have been doing but in a larger scale with community participation. Providing them training for capacity building such as jewelry making so that they can make the products on a daily basis to earn. The other program that we can do is free health camp for everyone and program to honor the elderly population who have contributed to the village can be organized.
Which cultural traditions and values you would like younger generation to carry on?
We have so far maintained the culture and traditions that have been existing in our community. The tradition of playing flute by unmarried girls has lessened in the recent years and I would like to see that increasing again. A traditional instrument “dhime”- (drum of double-headed cylindrical membranophone) needs to be learnt by the new generation. The tradition that I can pass on is farming. In the village, the farmland has been diminishing in the past few years. I can transfer the knowledge of seasonal farming and techniques of farming. It is important to learn the traditional method for farming. Since, the use of chemical fertilizers is increasing which degrades the fertility of the soil. So, I want to transfer the farming techniques in organic and traditional ways which can be more sustainable in the long run.
Which Ibasho activity are you most interested in participating?
I am interested in what I have been doing since childhood, i.e. vegetable farming. I know quite a lot about the methods of farming and techniques to grow vegetables. I think farming is what I am passionate about. My role in Ibasho project totally focuses on vegetable farming as I am keen to work in the land and it is the only field where I can give my quality time along with leading others.
Did Ibasho project have impact on you and your life? How?
Ibasho project has surely had an impact on me and my life. I can work independently with the motivation I never had before, thanks to the Ibasho team who have made me recognize my strength, experiences and knowledge. I even work alone in the land which I never used to do without being accompanied. I have gained a lot of knowledge regarding elderly activities. I have come to realize that elderly citizens are not supposed to stay at home but can also work and contribute according to their capabilities. I have felt the changes in my thinking and how I perceive things or situations as well.
Did Ibasho project have impact on your community? How?
Ibasho has also had an impact in the community through the workshops and training conducted such as jewelry making, composting, etc. and field trip to Kevin Rohan Memorial Eco Foundation and Gurkha Organic Farm and Research Center. These experiences have widened our exposure and vision for our projects and community.
Did Ibasho project influence on your friendship?
Yes, I did make new friends through Ibasho project. My friend circle got bigger in the community since the initial years of the project. I have made new friends or relations with the younger generations who are also involved in the projects.
Do you have any idea on what programs you would like to work on through Ibasho?
As said earlier, the project we can take forward is the health camp. We can collaborate with local clubs in the community and move ahead.
What was your most memorable event/moment through Ibasho?
I got a chance to go to places that I had never been such as Japan and Kavre. I have a lot of fond memories from the day of selection to go to Japan till the end of the trip. I experienced many new things like travelling in an aero plane and even having the entire room to myself and I used to be scared of sleeping alone especially after the earthquake. Meeting elders who have been inspirational while we visited Ofunato was also very memorable.
What do you suggest Ibasho to do to make the project more successful?
Without investment, (monetary and time investment should be done for the success of projects.) it is difficult to get more people involved in the activities that we have been trying to sustain. So more training on how to sustain the projects will be useful along with how to involve or motivate more people.
Comments from the local coordinator: Any changes over time?
Yes, she has undertaken the role of a leader in one of the major livelihood projects. Moreover, she has increased her leadership skills to lead and guide other. She has developed the feeling to do something for herself and others in the community. From a shy introvert, it is very heartwarming to see her being one of the most instrumental mobilisers in the community. She is willing to learn, work hard and has always given time for meetings, sessions and on the farm trying her best to overcome challenges.
