A New Perspective for Puranokot

Every CHOICE Humanitarian expedition is a little bit different, often producing results that even we cannot anticipate. A recent expedition to the village of Puranokot in Nepal did just that!

For an entire week, CHOICE volunteers worked with local villagers in preparing for the construction of the new hospital. They all worked hard to move rock and dig foundations...but did much more than just manual labor.

The people of Puranokot watched how this expedition group worked together. It was quite different from what the community was used to and they took special note. So, what was the difference?



Women expeditioners helping dig the foundation.

"During the expedition," says Kanya Kasi Gurung, Puranokot community member, "women worked side by side in loading and unloading the stones, digging the foundation, and other work with the men." 



Kanya Kasi Gurung, Puranokot community member.



It was an eye-opening experience for the entire village, changing the traditional perspective on the roles men and women can fulfill.

"We never thought the women could do the same work men can do. I was amazed since we never saw the women working like this. During the expedition we saw that the women were working as men and realized that women can do any type of work that men can do. This experience in reality changed the villager's idea about the work," Kanya says.

 This expedition opened up new possibilities for Puranokot. Villagers are seeing their roles much differently now and inviting the women to participate in ways they never had before.

Kanya has seen how this experience has also brought change in the work itself. "After the expedition, women were involved in digging the road, breaking the stones and many other important jobs," she says.

CHOICE Humanitarian knows that great things happen when a community invites women to have a greater role in their development. We are excited to see how the example of one expedition will change Puranokot forever.

Thank you for your ongoing support and for your vision of what can happen when we all work together. Puranokot is making great strides to pull themselves out of poverty with your help!