My name is Julia Correia, and I am dZi’s Director of Partnerships and Growth. I recently had the immense privilege to spend seven days in the middle hills of eastern Nepal with dZi team members, local partners, and a small group of long-time donors. It was my first trip to Nepal, and also my first time learning what “Nepali flat” means. Turns out we define hiking terrain very differently – Nepali flat was mostly uphill!
In global development, it is fairly common for organizations to work in rural contexts, and it often requires unique interventions and creative solutions. It can also be more expensive and challenging because dispersed communities are usually excluded from mainstream development and government programs – both intentionally and unintentionally. Logistics are also more challenging. Working in rural contexts also means longer travel times for staff and greater costs to deliver building materials for infrastructure projects.
The unique opportunity to travel on foot, largely on trekking trails, meant that we got to see how the landscapes gradually changed from terraced hillsides to frosty peaks to luscious forests. It also meant that we got a glimpse into the journey community members and our dZi staff make as they travel from community to community.
Several things were reaffirmed for me on this trip:
#1 – Our local team and network of local partners are integral to the success of our work, especially in rural contexts.
Our Nepal team members and our local partners were our guides in every definition of the word. When we arrived in a community, there were no signs pointing us where to go, no street names. They knew the layout of these communities, knew which farmers had started beekeeping, knew who would help us learn about the school community. It was clear how valuable this local knowledge is and how intentional our team is in building and cultivating these local partnerships. Capacity-building and strengthening local leadership depend on trusting relationships between local community members and dZi team members. Cultural, political, and social dynamics are heavily intertwined with the implementation of dZi’s programming, and our team and local partners are the best equipped to navigate these contexts!
#2 – Our work exists within a quickly changing context, and that includes in rural areas.
Although the hillsides brought much quieter days and a slower pace than Kathmandu, it does not mean that these rural communities are immune from the external pressures and changing economic landscape in Nepal. There is a growing number of young people leaving to find work overseas and send money (remittances) back to their families in Nepal. These opportunities are not all positive, and many workers find themselves in exploitative and dangerous working conditions. Despite the risks, many young people are choosing this route rather than staying within their communities. This can change the cultural and social fabric of communities across Nepal, and our work to support rural communities in strengthening their own resources, opportunities, and leadership is crucial. We want young people to access education and find opportunities for economic development within their communities, so they have options for how they want to build their future.
#3 – To be welcomed into a community’s culture is a beautiful human experience to share, across cultures and languages.
I quickly learned how special it is for Nepali communities to welcome visitors, and it was an honor to receive their kindness and immediate openness. Community members had garlands of marigolds ready for each of us, and we were lucky enough to witness traditional dances performed by young students, each representing their culture so vibrantly. In many ways, across the globe, people are suffering from a lack of connection and community. It often fuels divisiveness and loneliness. The communities we visited in Nepal reminded me that honoring and celebrating culture is not just a piece of our programmatic work – it’s part of our shared existence.
After more than 30 hours of travel, I am finally home, but my reflections on my time in Nepal continue to unfold. One of the most inspiring things about dZi’s work and our partner communities is the shared commitment to growth – learning from indigenous knowledge, innovative solutions, and one another. Working in rural contexts has its challenges, but it also offers a unique perspective on how tradition and progress can coexist. As partners and supporters, you are making our work possible while supporting communities in strengthening their culture and unlocking opportunities for future generations to come.
Thank you!
