Two Inspiring Exposure Visits: Learning from Communities in Birgunj and Dhading

[Manika Kunwar]

Exposure visits provide opportunities to learn directly from communities, understand local realities, and exchange experiences with organizations working for social change. In May 2026, CWSN’s ARC team participated in two meaningful exposure visits to Birgunj and Dhading. These journeys allowed us to observe community-led development, engage in SALT discussions, learn from local organizations, and strengthen our understanding of community empowerment.

Exposure Visit to Birgunj

On 24 May 2026, we departed for Birgunj. After a long travel we reached to the destination.

After checking in at the hotel, we visited the nearby border area for sightseeing. We explored the surroundings, took photographs, and purchased some clothes. The visit provided us with an opportunity to observe the unique atmosphere of the border city and experience its vibrant environment. We returned to the hotel and done reflected on the day’s experiences, and rested for the night. The second day began with an early morning visit to the famous Gadhimai Temple in Kalaiya. After spending time at the temple, we had lunch and then traveled by tempo to visit Shakhi  Organization .The organization warmly welcomed us and introduced us to their vision, mission, and ongoing community development activities. We learned about two communities, Bahulai and Tribeni, where agriculture, farming, daily wage labor, and bamboo handicraft production are major sources of livelihood. Community members shared their experiences, challenges, and aspirations. During the visit, we also had the opportunity to taste Thekuwa, a traditional and popular sweet of the Terai region, which added a cultural dimension to our learning experience.

A SALT discussion was organized with community members, including women, children. Through these interactions, we learned about the challenges women face in mobility, decision-making, and participation in community activities. Despite these challenges, we witnessed strong leadership and active participation among community members.The day concluded with a reflection session where participants shared key learning and experiences from the visit.On the final day, we visited several important locations in and around Birgunj, including Ghadiarwa Pokhari, local temples, Bhatbhateni, and the historic Birgunj Ghantaghar.These visits allowed us to further explore the cultural and social environment of the city. After returning to the hotel and checking out, we departed for Pokhara successfully concluding our Birgunj exposure visit.

Exposure Visit to Dhading (P4P organization)

Following our Birgunj visit, we participated in another exposure visit to Dhading. We departed from the office  and  after several hours of travel, we arrived at  Dhading. 

We stayed at Inner Village Retreat Nepal, where we were warmly welcomed by our host, Mr. Santosh Bidari. After settling into our rooms, we attended an orientation and discussion session that introduced us to the objectives of the visit and the activities planned for the coming days.After dinner, we rested and prepared for the next day’s activities.

The second day started with a sound healing session. After lunch, we traveled by jeep to visit a local community. The community welcomed us warmly with flowers, gundruk, yoghurt, and flattened rice. This gesture made us feel respected and connected to the local culture. During our visit, we participated in a group SALT discussion, where community members openly shared their experiences, strengths, and local initiatives.The interaction provided valuable insights into community development, local practices, and the importance of appreciation based approaches in strengthening community relationships. We learned how communities can identify and build upon their own strengths to create positive change.Before leaving, we took group photographs with community members to capture the memories of this meaningful experience.After returning to the hotel, we conducted an After Experience Reflection (AER) session to discuss our observations, learning, and key takeaways from the day.

On the final day, we attended an inspiring sharing session involving representatives from P4P, Kopila Nepal, and CWSN. Representatives shared their dreams, goals, achievements, and experiences in community development. The session helped us understand different organizational approaches and encouraged the exchange of ideas among participants.The discussions highlighted the importance of collaboration, community engagement, and leadership in creating sustainable social change.Then, we prepared for our return journey and departed from Dhading after  marking the successful completion of the exposure visit.

Conclusion

Both exposure visits provided meaningful opportunities for learning, reflection, and growth. Through our interactions with community members, organizations, we gained a deeper understanding of community-led development, women's empowerment, and the practical application of the SALT approach.The experiences in Birgunj and Dhading allowed us to appreciate the strengths that exist within communities and inspired us with new ideas for future work. These visits not only enhanced our knowledge but also strengthened teamwork, collaboration, and our commitment to supporting positive social change.The lessons, memories, and relationships built during these journeys will continue to guide and motivate us in our future .

I would like to sincerely thank CWSN  and the ARC Team for giving me this wonderful opportunity. Through these exposure visits, I got the chance to visit new places, meet inspiring people, learn from different communities, and gain valuable experiences that I will always remember.These experiences have taught me many new things and helped me see community development from a different perspective. I am truly grateful for the trust, support, and learning opportunities provided to me.