Planting Seeds for Tomorrow: My Story from Sambandha Bistar

[Martha Hitang]

My name is Martha Hitang, and I am from Pokhara city. I am a student of social work. I grew up in a normal family, with loving parents and a sister, who have always been deeply involved in social work and activism. From a young age, I saw their dedication to helping communities, and it inspired me to want to give back as well.

I went to a convent school, and growing up there, I watched the nuns and priests dedicate themselves to helping the poor and the needy. Their commitment, kindness, and empathy left a deep impression on me. Seeing all of this my family, the school, the community I realized that I wanted to be a social worker: to listen, support, and contribute to meaningful change in society. One quote my father always tells me has stayed with me throughout my life: “Plant a tree, so that your next generation gets to enjoy the shade.” I carry that in everything I do, because it reminds me that the work we do today is not just for ourselves but for generations to come.

From August 18th to 20th, 2025, I got the chance to be part of the ARC “Sambandha Bistar” workshop. Together with four other organizations CWSN, Kopila Nepal, Peace for People, and Sakhi we formed a cohort from Nepal. The idea was simple: build stronger relationships within our team and learn the SALT approach, which is all about listening, appreciating, and valuing people while addressing real problems in communities. But what actually happened was so much more than “learning.”

The workshop didn’t feel like a workshop at first. No slides, no lectures. Just people. And feelings. And real talk. One session asked us to talk to ourselves. I froze at first. I hadn’t actually sat down to talk to myself in years. To really appreciate myself. To reflect on my life. But when I did it, it felt like I had unlocked something. A weight I didn’t know I was carrying had lifted. I realized how much I had been running, always focused on everyone else, without giving myself the space to be heard even by myself.Then came the pair-sharing. We had to open our hearts to someone else. And just like that, I felt a wave of lightness. Speaking from the heart and being truly heard was freeing. Listening to my partner’s story made me realize how rare it is to give someone that gift — just listening. That’s the SALT approach in action. It’s simple, but it’s powerful. It’s about connection, appreciation, and trust.

Listening to other changemakers in the cohort was emotional too. Everyone shared their struggles, their dreams, and their visions for their communities. It made me think about my own journey, my proud moments, and why I do what I do. At one point, I thought to myself: “Is history repeating itself?” Years ago, people would gather in pati-pauwas, sit together, and talk from their hearts. That same spirit was alive in the workshop people connecting, sharing, and planting seeds for change.

This workshop reminded me that real change isn’t about big programs or reports. It’s about people. Listening. Appreciating. Walking beside them as they take charge of their lives. Every session, every story, every moment of connection was a seed planted. I may not see all of them grow into big trees in my lifetime, but just like my dad’s words, I know the next generation will find shade in the work we are doing today.

Being part of this cohort, this journey with UniCoN, has been emotional, humbling, and inspiring. I see now that change is never a solo journey it grows stronger when it’s collective. UniCoN is a reflection of that belief: planting seeds of justice, equality, and kindness, not for one person, but for communities, for generations, and for the future.

[Rituu B. Nanda]

You have beautifully brought about principles of SALT which can bring people from different organizations together Thank you Martha.

[Santi rambari]

Martha, what a beautiful image! I felt like I was feeling something in your writing. Write more.