Journey from a remote village of Nepal to the School of Peace -2025, India
The School of Peace (SoP)program was one of the most important and amazing experiences of my life. As a peacebuilder working as a volunteer and counselor support provider in Nepal, I was eager to learn about interfaith dialogue, peacebuilding, and nonviolent communication alongside Asian peacebuilders and advocates. The journey from Nepal to Nagpur, India, was both exciting and alarming, but it ultimately became a journey that continuously changed my perspective. It provides direction and guidelines towards my destiny.
When I first connected with the Interfaith Cooperation Forum (ICF), I had no idea how impactful the School of Peace program would be. My journey towards becoming a peacebuilder, community leader, and change maker began with the School of Nonviolence Inc. (SON) in Nepal and continued with the ICF. I am grateful to the ICF for selecting me to represent Nepal in the School of Peace 2025. Along with my 13 energetic friends from seven different Asian countries, we spent 50 days together in Nagpur. Unfortunately, one of our friends from Sri Lanka had to leave the program early due to visa issues. My Indonesian friend Kirena and I were roommates for the entire program, except during an outing. She supported me in every situation related to my health and assisted me with sketching; she is very skilled at drawing and sketching. Furthermore, the entire program inspired hope for a better future. We created some of our best memories together in Nagpur. Our responsibility is to break down barriers and build close friendships despite our diverse backgrounds, religions, and cultures. This experience is a testament to the possibility of living in a world without barriers that could divide us. During the SoP learning journey, we visited various religious sites and monuments, including temples, mosques, Gurdwaras, churches,and monasteries, where we shared our beliefs and cultural ideologies. These exchanges fostered mutual respect and understanding, deepening our appreciation for diversity and emphasizing the importance of peaceful coexistence,regardless of our differences. One of the early lessons that resonated with me was about ecofeminism and the connection between environmental degradation and conflict resolution. As a learner, discovering how religious practices are sometimes commercialized was eye-opening. It made me reflect on the delicate balance between faith and environmental stewardship in Nepal.
Since returning from the SoP program, I’ve been relatively inactive due to my limited schedule, which has been filled with post-graduation studies. However, whenever I have time, I work in my community, promoting mental health, emotional well-being, and social justice. As the Program Coordinator and volunteer at The School of Nonviolence Inc., my team and I have led workshops on nonviolent communication, emotional literacy, and gender justice. I also facilitate safe listening circles and organize awareness campaigns, focusing on empowering women and marginalized groups with the support of my colleagues.
One key workshop I organized related to health after my return stands out: proper sanitization is crucial for preventing the transmission of diseases through blood, especially from unauthorized donors. Unsafe blood donation practices can spread infections like HIV, hepatitis, and other blood-borne diseases. Ensuring strict screening, sterilization, and authorized donation procedures helps protect recipients and maintain public health. We ran blood donation campaigns with the support of the Nepal Red Cross Society. We utilized safe listening circles—a technique I learned at SoP—to foster a culture of empathy and support. This workshop also emphasized advocacy, encouraging participants and donors to push for better health policies at the local government level. These experiences reflect the growth and confidence I gained during SoP, enabling me to address pressing social issues in Nepal.
The ICF program significantly shaped my personal and professional growth and development. It deepened my empathy and expanded my understanding of peacebuilding, encompassing environmental, gender, health, and mental health issues. It also enhanced my leadership skills, enabling me to design impactful workshops for my community. Most importantly, it boosted my confidence. Experiential learning empowered me to take the lead as a changemaker. The network I built continues to inspire and support cross-border peace efforts.
As I continue my peacebuilding work in Nepal through my studies, the insights and expertise I gained from the School of Peace will guide me. Whether challenging harmful customs, such as health and sanitation issues, promoting peaceful dialogue, or supporting mental wellness, I am now preparedto drive meaningful change at the local level. I appreciate the ICF for this life-changing experience and for helping me become a more confident, compassionate leader in my community.