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Development and Change

This digital storytelling project was carried out over a period of four months in the fall of 2016 with three young women from the district of Mustang, along the northern border of Nepal.

The women share their personal stories of development, social and environmental change, cultural heritage, youth education, and the gendered dimensions of these transformations.

All images and captions were created by the women in hopes that their work within the communities of Mustang inspire other young people who seek to build a better future for themselves and their families.

Featured
"Buckwheat harvesting is a shared responsibility between all people in the village. We help our neighbors, and in return they help us."

“Buckwheat is a main food crop in Mustang. It is harvested during mid-October and handpicked for a better taste. There is less production in recent years. Harvesting is a shared responsibility between all people in the village. We help them and they help us.”

beekeeper

“Beekeeping is an important livelihood strategy along with agricultural production. Community members are engaged in beekeeping and the government has been providing technical support. Some women from the community are able to make a small income selling honey.”

“The Yartung festival has changed a lot in recent years. There is more foreign influence now and less traditional activities.”

“The Yartung festival has changed a lot in recent years. There is more foreign influence now and less traditional activities.”

"The annual Yartung festival is an opportunity for social gathering, exhibit of local culture, and a good time for tourists to visit."

"The annual festival is an opportunity for social gathering, exhibit of local culture, and a good time for tourists to visit."

"We grow a variety of vegetables to eat during the winter months. The weather in Mustang is very harsh and in the past we were unable to grow much, so modern food security techniques are important."

"We grow a variety of vegetables to eat during the winter months. The weather in Mustang is very harsh and in the past we were unable to grow much, so modern food security techniques are important."

"This workshop was organized for children to learn about climate change, empower them with practical knowledge, and improve presentation skills."

“A workshop was organized at a local school for youth to learn about climate change to empower them with practical knowledge. This event was organized by STEP Nepal. During this event, children were able to discuss what they can do to address climate change in Mustang. They committed to using plastic bags minimally and spreading the awareness on climate change to others in their community.”

"There was a construction site accident here during road building, which has caused many to believe it was due to a disturbance of the religious site."

"There was a construction site accident here during road building, which has caused many to believe it was due to a disturbance of the religious site known as Lenchurste, Pandakhola. It is believed that Guru Rinpoche had once visited or prayed here. Many people from this region visit the site during the full moon and last day of the Tibetan calendar.”

“The Yartung festival is celebrated after a successful harvesting season to welcome winter.”

“The Yartung festival is celebrated after a successful harvesting season to welcome winter.”

"Buckwheat if our main food crop in Mustang. It is harvested during mid-October and handpicked for a real taste. There is less production in recent years which has lead to higher cost."

"Buckwheat if our main food crop in Mustang. It is harvested during mid-October and handpicked for an authentic taste. There is less production in recent years which has lead to higher cost."

"This meeting was to discuss the restructuring of district boundaries. Many different people attended. Gurungs, Thakaris, Dalits, VDC and Mukhiya. But women were not present."

"This meeting was to discuss the restructuring of district boundaries. Many different people attended. Gurungs, Thakaris, Dalits, VDC and various local leaders (mukhiya). But women were not present."

"This chart was made during a climate change meeting to discuss future building construction and current issues related to climate change."

"This chart was made during a climate change meeting to discuss future building construction and current issues related to climate change."

"This incinerator is used for waste management, and is managed by the local women's group. Before we had this, everyone threw their waste in the Kali Gandaki river."

"This incinerator is used for waste management, and is managed by the local women's group. Before we had this, everyone threw their waste in the Kali Gandaki river."

"This machine was installed in 2015 to make cement blocks for building houses. It saves time and reduces man power, but destroys the natural beauty of the area."

"This machine was installed in 2015 to make cement blocks for building houses. It save time and reduces man power, but destroys the natural beauty of the area."

"We are adapting solar energy as an alternative energy source. Solar panels are used in homes and hotels, and some villages have support from INGOs."

"This was an installation of solar panels for street lights. We are adapting solar energy as an alternative energy source. Solar panels are used in homes and hotels, and some villages have received support from NGOs."

"Unpredictable weather patterns have lead to fertile land being destroyed by flooding, scarcity of drinking water, water borne diseases, and more insects and pests."

"Unpredictable weather patterns have lead to fertile land being destroyed by flooding, scarcity of drinking water, water-borne diseases, and more insects and pests."

"During the Yartung festival, we perform cultural songs and traditional dance."

"During the Yartung festival, we perform cultural songs and traditional dances." 

"This picture was taken at a climate change workshop for children, which helps improve collaboration."

"This picture was taken at a climate change workshop for children, which helps improve collaboration.”

"This site is important to us because it enhances Buddhism in the region, and is a child friendly playground."

"This site is important to us because it enhances Buddhism in the region, and is a child friendly playground."

"Involvement from all groups of people, using a bottom up approach. Program organized by government for equal representation of all groups of people within development."

"Involvement from all groups of people, using a bottom up approach. Program organized by government for equal representation of all groups of people within development."

"Greenhouses have been used as a modern food security technique, which has lead to a rise in income due to improved transportation."

"Greenhouses have been used as a modern food security technique, which has lead to a rise in income due to improved transportation."

"This image was taken after the construction of the dam near the Kali Gandaki river and was funded by the Indian Government. We see many more projects now funded by the Indian government."

"This image was taken after the construction of the dam near the Kali Gandaki river and was funded by the Indian Government. We see many more projects now funded by the Indian government."

"Organized through workshop in VDC level, and participation of VDC secretary, political parties, and the women’s group. This mapping is done to assess which areas of the VDC need more development.”

"Organized through workshop in VDC level, and participation of VDC secretary, political parties, and the women’s group. This mapping is done to assess which areas of the VDC need more development.”

"Discussion of climate change issues occurring in region. Many different groups of people came together to talk about issues and preventative measures."

"Discussion of climate change issues occurring in region. Many different groups of people came together to talk about issues and preventative measures."