EQUALITY
HOMESTAYS THAT RESHAPE CASTE DYNAMICS
AAPSHAWARA COMMUNITY, NEPAL
By choosing a homestay accommodation when you travel, you can contribute to the economic and social empowerment of marginalized communities. The long maligned Dalits in Aapshawara, Nepal, have a different future thanks to homestays and regional tourism.
What's
changing
Even in the 21st century, the caste system can be found in India, Nepal and across south Asia. It is a system of social division that ranks the status of individuals based on the kind of work their families have traditionally done. Dalits are considered the lowest class and commonly face discrimination. Innovative tourism programs are emerging to improve economic and social conditions for these communities, challenging the traditional label of "untouchable" and fostering greater inclusion.
What's already
possible
A homestay program in the Dalit village of Aapshawara generates income for the community and challenges the stigmas associated with interactions with those traditionally deemed low caste.
Seizing
the opportunity
In 2016, the Hands-On Institute, a Nepalese social enterprise that connects international students and local communities, began working with residents of Aapshawara to develop a homestay program to bring revenue to the area. After training and visiting other homestays, village members formed a management committee and registered the Community Dalit Homestay. Visitors from all over the world come to stay with families, learn about their ways of life and partake in cultural experiences.
Standout
tactic
Acknowledging that not everyone can host visitors, the Hands-On Institute has provided opportunities for those without large homes or land to engage with travelers and earn an income through teaching cooking or pottery classes and facilitating other cultural experiences.
How
it helps
Eighteen village families are registered hosts and can house up to 35 guests at once. In the first year, 300 people from 18 countries visited. Host families earn about $150 per year from homestays and morale has increased. Dalits are experiencing less discrimination as the program aids in relieving some of the stigma. A community member was recently elected chairman of a local school, and the government is investing in nearby trails and infrastructure now that visitors are coming to Aapshawara from abroad.
Diving
deeper
How can cultural experiences in programs like this remain authentic and respectful, rather than being commodified or staged for tourists?
Increasing
impact
Regional homestay networks in regional villages could allow the communities to share resources, best practices and promotional efforts to create a more extensive and integrated tourism offering that helps to destigmatize targeted communities in more areas.
Traveling
better
Travel is inherently carbon intensive. Whether you are taking a mini-break or an annual vacation, consider ways to minimize your impact by staying longer in one place, reconsidering how you travel to the destination, and supporting businesses that are working to make their community and the world a better place.
