Room With A View

Before the sun had risen, 24 year old Lal Shree Gurung from Puranokot woke up and headed to the Gairi Lamjung Skill Development Center. Lal is the only sibling left living with her aging parents, who, like most Nepalis, get by from year to year on rigorous subsistence farming.  Her two brothers had to leave their parents years ago to find jobs in the city to try to help support the family. 

Lal Shree in Puranokot, Nepal

Lal Shree joined twenty three other villagers for a "home stay" training by CHOICE Humanitarian, which will be a part of the new Tangrankot-Puranokot Trekking Route. CHOICE Humanitarian is assisting 6 villages in creating a trekking business that will create jobs and income for each community. Tourists will have the opportunity to hike between these beautiful villages with breath taking views of the Annapurna mountain range. They will stop along the way to experience cultural activities, sample local cuisine, and enjoy the hospitality of a village family by staying the night in one of their charming traditional homes.

Speaking about the home stay tourism program, Lal Shree said, "I have a dream to have an income at home and to make my village a model village in the area. I can fulfill both purposes with the home stay program. This training will help us create a tourist friendly environment so we will be able to receive guests, provide them good food and good services."

During the training, participants learned skills on proper cooking, cleaning, water purification, catering, and cultural exchange. They also listened to lectures on many subjects designed to improve their abilities to host international travelers.

Cooking class.





"Those who trek on this home stay route will likely leave having experienced the best cultural experience of their lives in one of the most beautiful places on the planet," said Kiran, a member of the CHOICE staff.

The home stay tourism program is a huge step to introducing economic opportunities in the villages of Lamjung. Lal Shree says, "Ultimately, the home stay program will contribute to the national income. After receiving the training, I realize that the future of home stay tourism is bright in Nepal. It will allow people to work in the village and stay with their families."

Lal Shree practicing making welcome gifts.

One of the most exciting parts of this program is that twenty percent of the revenue generated by the trekking route will go directly to a general village fund that will be used to support additional economic development projects. Perhaps one day you can stay in Lal Shree's home in Puranokot and experience the route for yourself. She anxiously awaits you!