Listening to Strengths While Recognizing Challenges: Reflections from Upallo Amintara Community

[santosh bishowkarma]

Date: 6 July 2026 (22 Ashar 2083 B.S.)
During our visit to Upallo Amintara Community, we had the opportunity to listen to the stories of
community members through the SALT (Support, Appreciate, Learn, and Transfer) approach. These
conversations helped us understand both the challenges people face and the strengths that already
exist in the community.
A Family's Health Challenge
We met Mr. Indra Bahadur B.K., who shared his health journey with us. He had heart surgery in the
past, but recently doctors found that his heart arteries were blocked again. He was supposed to go
for another operation, but because of financial problems, he could not travel to the hospital.
He also shared that he has severe uric acid, which has changed the shape of the fingers and toes on
his hands and feet. Doctors said medicine can reduce the pain, but it cannot return them to their
normal shape. Even with these difficulties, Mr. Indra spoke openly and with hope. His story reminds us that many families still struggle to get the healthcare they need because of financial challenges.

Working Together for a Better Community
We also talked with Mr. Bishnu Kshetri, who shared his concern that people in the community are
not as united as before. He believes that working together is important for the community's future.
He shared that the community is planning to hold elections for the Tole Development Committee
and the Mothers's Group. He also said that community members want to clean the waste in the
forest near the settlement to keep their environment clean.
Preparing for a Clean-Up Campaign
During our conversation with Mr. Juddha B.K., he told us that the community is planning a forest
clean-up campaign. They are discussing the date with the Vice-Chairperson and hope to organize
the activity on Saturday. He kindly invited our team to join the campaign. This shows that community members value working together with different organizations.
Reflection
This visit reminded us that every community has both challenges and strengths. While some
families face serious health and financial problems, many people are also willing to work together
to improve their community.
The people of Upallo Amintara are taking steps to strengthen their community, care for their
environment, and support one another. Through the SALT approach, we learned that listening
carefully, appreciating people's strengths, and working together can help bring positive change.
Small actions, when done together, can make a community healthier, stronger, and more connected.