A

REPORT ON

IMPACT OF HOMESTAY IN GURUNG COMMUNITY

(As a requirement for the partial fulfillment of BSW 2nd year practical for Social Work

practice, BSW 424)

Submitted To

Orchid International College

Department of Social Work

Gaushala, Kathmandu, Nepal

Submitted by

Safal Tandukar

BSW 2nd Year

Symbol Number:

T.U Registration Number:

Chaitra 2078
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Recommendation Letter

The report entitled “Impact of homestay in Gurung community” at the

Department of Social Work is compiled by Safal Tandukar under my guidance and

supervision, therefore forwarded to external viva.

Mr.

Lecturer
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Approval Letter

This term paper submitted by Safal Tandukar of BSW 2nd year, as a part of his

practical requirement of the session 2078, has been approved by the Department of Social

Work, Orchid International College, Gaushala, Kathmandu.

Mr. Anush Subedi Mr.

Coordinator Lecturer

BASW Department

Internal Supervisor External Supervisor

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Acknowledgment Letter

First of all, I would like to express my gratitude to the college administration to

enable me to complete this practical on ‘Impact of homestay in Gurung community’.

Successful completion of any type of project requires help from several people. I have

also taken help from different people for the preparation of this report, now there is a little

effort to show my deep gratitude to that helpful person.

I convey my sincere gratitude to my Academic supervisor Mr. Anush Subedi,

BSW coordinator of Orchid international college. Without his kind direction and

guidance completion of this essay successfully wouldn’t be possible. I would also like to

thank my college mates who also helped me a lot during the process of the interview.

Lastly, I would like to thank all my family members for encouraging me and

providing all necessary materials needed for the successful completion of the essay.

Safal Tandukar

BSW 2nd year

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Table of Contents

Contents page no.

Cover Page i

Letter of recommendation ii

Approval Letter iii

Acknowledgments iv

Table of Contents v-vi

Chapter 1: Introduction 1

1.1 Background of the study 1-3

1.2 Objective of the study 3

1.3 Importance of the study 3

1.4 Limitation of the study 4

Chapter 2: Literature Review 5 -6

Chapter 3: Methodology

3.1 Universe of the study 7

3.2 Tools of the study 7

3.3 Method of study 7

Chapter 4: Group Activities and Analysis of finding

4.1 Formation of Group 8-9

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4.2 Identification of Group’s Problems 9-10

4.3 Participant’s Role & Activities of the days 10

4.4 Contribution of group workers 11

4.5 Coping Mechanism Applied 11-12

4.6 Findings 12-13

Chapter 5: Conclusion and Recommendation

5.1 Conclusion 14

5.2 Recommendation 14

5.3 Social Work Intervention 14-16

Chapter 6: References 17

Annex

Annex 1: Questionnaires

Annex 2: Photos
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Chapter 1

Introduction

Sirubari, a Gurung village located in Syangja, southwest of Pokhara, is well-known for

its rich heritage and community homestay program. The village is a charming destination
to visit, with incredibly warm and hospitable locals. Situated at the heart of the
settlement is a Buddhist monastery, showcasing the diverse mix of Buddhist, Hindu, and
Shaman cultures coexisting peacefully. The area boasts exceptional flora and fauna, with
stunning views of the western Himalayas of Nepal.

The tourism experience offered in Sirubari revolves around homestays, where guests stay
and dine in individual homes, immersing themselves in the daily life of a local family.
Visitors, whether local or international, do not get to choose their host family; instead,
the Tourism Development and Management Committee (TDMC) of the village assigns
guests to different families on a rotational basis. This system ensures that all TDMC
member families have the opportunity to host tourists and benefit from tourism in an
equitable manner. In recognition of its efforts, Sirubari Village was awarded the
prestigious PATA Gold Award in 2001 under the Heritage & Culture Category.

While the homestay experience is the highlight of Sirubari, village tours, mountain
sightseeing, and various cultural programs also offer equally enjoyable, if not more,
experiences for visitors.
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1.1 Background of the study

Homestay is popular for hospitality and lodging where by visitors share a residence with a

local of the area to which they are traveling. Nepal government introduced homestay in

2011. This study was done in the Sirubari village of Syangja. Sirubari is basically a

Gurung village but other cultures and caste people are also living there. Three years after

rural tourism started in Sirubari, the hamlet was formally recognised as Nepal's first

model tourism village in 2057. The government took notice of Sirubari's achievements

and issued guidelines promoting rural tourism in 2065. The homestay even won a Gold

Award for Heritage and Culture from the Pacific Asia Tourism Association (PATA) in

2001.
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The cottages create a compound beside the Budhi Rapti River, of which there are

great views. The attractively landscaped gardens demonstrate the care that the residents

take with their land. When you’re not out and about exploring the park or the community,

retreat to the shade of your cottage and watch the farmyard animals scampering

around.You’ll dine in the communal dining hall, which is an especially convenient space

for larger groups. The food is sourced from the local land and community. While Tharu

people like to eat dal bhat just like other Nepalis, you’ll probably notice that their version

is a bit different to what you’ve tried in Kathmandu or Pokhara.

Activities to enjoy at the Tharu Community Homestay revolve around village life

and the nearby Chitwan National Park. You could easily spend several days here and

find plenty to do.The Tharu Community Homestay is beside Chitwan National Park and

near the town of Sauraha, a base for many travelers who want to spend time in the park.

Homestay guests can enjoy a number of wildlife and nature-focused activities. Take a

canoe ride along the river, go fishing with your hosts, and spot animals and birds on a

safari. A highlight of visiting Chitwan is spotting one-horned rhinoceros, of which there

are more than 600.

This homestay is near Sauraha, a transport and accommodation hub to the east of the

Chitwan National Park. As well as being in a very convenient location, it’s also very

peaceful, on the banks of the Budhi Rapti River. Thanks to the homestay’s riverside

location, there are opportunities to go fishing here with a local guide.Coming from the

larger cities of the Nepali hills, you’ll immediately notice a different pace of life. Take a

guided village walk, go fishing, ride a bicycle around the village and farmland, and get a

real feel for the ordinary way of life behind the popular tourist destination.
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The climate around Chitwan on the Terai is more like the climate of North India than

that of the Nepali hills. That is, it’s extremely hot between March and September

(upwards of 35° C), uncomfortably humid during the monsoon (June-September), and

cool in winter (as low as 7° C), although daytime is usually quite warm.

Most travelers feel most comfortable visiting Chitwan between October and February,

when the weather is cool or warm but not uncomfortably hot. Your chances of spotting

wildlife, including tigers, is best between January and March, when tall grass is cut, thus

improving visibility. (M.K Chhetri).

1.2 Objective of the study

i. To learn to work in groups

ii. To analyze the living standard of Tharu community

iii. To know the impact of homestay in tharu community

1.3 Importance of the study

We got to know the impacts of homestay in the Amaltari community. How it’s impacting

the lives the of people living there. It has briefly explained the hospitality of Tharu, Bote

ethnic groups. How they treat their guest and how they share their cultures with the guest.

Homestay has been an emerging way of income through Tourism industry. By visiting the

Tharu community we can know the impact of homestay in their daily routine. It helps in

brief explanation of tharu, bote ethnic groups. How's their hospitality and how they share

their culture, tradition with the tourists. How their living standard's been and the

development of tourism sector in their community. It also helps in the study of their major

profession and how it's being helping in development of tourism sector. (M.K Chhetri ).
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1.4 Limitations of the study

We lack adequate people and due to time constraints, we couldn’t learn much about the

Tharu community. The result maybe is generalized and informational bias might have

occurred. Limited access to time and paper resources. Results may not be generalized.

Informational bias might have occurred. It’s limited to a particular culture. It was our first

time working in group so there was lack of co-operative, communication. Lack of

adequate manpower also adds up. Questionnaire was only done with person with one

religion, tradition and cultures so information may get biased. All the answers were

generalized from person belonging to only one sector. Due to the time constraints we

couldn't go in detail information from the information giver so we couldn't visit the

community enough from what we should have. This make questionnaire limited to only

one culture.
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Chapter 2

Literature Review

Introduced by the Nepal government in 2011, homestay tourism was purposive in

providing lodging to the one million tourists that were expected to arrive in the country

that year. It was opened so that tourist can interact with local population to learn about

their lifestyle and enjoy age-old traditions. (Mountain Monarch, 2022)

To set up a homestay, villagers need to make some basic changes to toilet and

bathroom facilities besides other decorations and reconstructions. This does not need

much time to accomplish and also puts a less economic burden on villagers to build up

the infrastructure. Thus, the classical trend of exploring Nepal by staying in lodges or

camping on open grounds was much substituted by homestays. This essentially opened

doors to many interesting destinations in the country that lacked lodging facilities.

Trekking in Nepal also saw a new approach to introduce Nepal and Nepalese culture to

the world in the most suitable fashion. (Mountain Monarch, 2022)

Sirubari in Syangja and Ghalegaon in Lamjung were the first places to start this

kind of approach to trekking. Later, other places like Kathmandu, Kavrepalanchow,

Chitwan, Makwanpur, Gorkha, Ilam, Palpa, Kailali, Kalikot, and Nuwakot started to

facilitate visitors with homestays. According to the data of 2018, there are 324 homestays

in Nepal. (Mountain Monarch, 2022)

Due to the close connection with the local population, visitors get a better insight

into the local livelihood and often become ambassadors of the place to welcome other

visitors from their country. This kind of plan is also suitable for backpackers as they can

explore more of the Himalayan country with a limited budget as food, and lodging is
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relatively cheaper in homestays. This also promotes the use of local resources and forms a

major element of eco-tourism. (Mountain Monarch, 2022)

Community home-stays and private home-stays are two forms adopted in Nepal

which represent the usage of either the community building or private houses to provide

shelter. Normally, bed and breakfast are provided in home-stays, with meals upon

request. Meals are prepared from locally available vegetables and livestock. (Mountain

Monarch, 2022)

With the help of the local people Amaltari community started their homestay

program in 2070 B.S. At the begining 18 homestay were established where Bote, Tharu

ethnic group were involved. Now with the success their number has reached to 31 and

still counting. With the start of homestay, it has provided employment to many people

and also has opened way too many other professions too. Also, with the success of

homestay community, they have collected enough source to develop infrastructures of

the community. (Chhetri M. K. 2015).

Mukunda Kumar Chhetri did a research on ‘Khata Biological Corridor Homestay’

a homestay program started by tharu community of mid-west Nepal. It has been running

since 2011A.D. in Dalla village of Bardiya district. He visited the study area to select the

respondents and test the study-questionnaires. During his visit, 70 different respondents

from homestay, households, non-homestay households, guests and the homestay

management committee were contacted to fill out the study-questionnaires. A focus group

discussion was also conducted. (Chhetri M.K. 2015)

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Chapter 3

Methodology

3.1 Universe of the study

The group of students visited Amaltari community of Nawalparasi district. The research

on ‘Impact of homestay in tharu community’ was done in that community. The people of

that community were the major sources for the information. The total number of people

who participated as information sources was 8.

3.2 Tools of the study

The semi-structured questions were used as tool of research. It was asked in semi-

structured interview with subjects. There were total 12 questions which gave qualitative

data. The semi-structured interview defined as the face to face questionnaire including

both prepared and extra questions. It was the best way to research about the topic.

3.3 Method of the study

The consent and time of subjects were asked first. With their approval interview was

conducted. They were informed that their answers will be confidential and the details of

the interview and questionnaire was explained to the subject. Then, the questions were

asked. The answers of the subject were noted down on a paper. Peaceful environment was

maintained throughout the interview despite the movement of group to fulfill their roles.

The interviewers were ended with the positive thankfulness and termination.
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Chapter 4

Group Activities and Analysis of finding

4.1 Formation of the group

A group is formed through collective efforts of forming, norming, storming, and

performing. Members of a group help each other in need, cooperate to reach goals, share

resources, and, last but not least, provide opportunities for social interaction,

companionship, and support.

a. Forming

During this phase, team members do not know each other very well and can be

impersonal, guarded, and polite. They are also waiting and watching for how

things will unfold. This is the stage when group norms begin to be negotiated and

established Essentially, norms are a code of conduct which may be explicit or

assumed and dictate acceptable and expected behavior of the group

b. Storming

During this stage, team members vie for position as they attempt to establish

themselves in relation to other team members and the leader, who might receive

challenges from team members. And I was the leader of my group. If you confront

your group members to challenge them to have higher expectations, you are in the

storming stage

c. Norming

By this stage, agreement, and consensus largely form among the team, who

respond well to facilitation by the leader. There is a task focus and issues are

confronted. Roles and responsibilities are clear. Norming signifies that the
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members of a group are willing to abide by group rules and cats to achieve the

group's goals

d. Performing

This stage is marked by a decrease in tensions, less conscious attention to norm

establishment, and greater focus on the actual work at hand in order to accomplish

the group's goals. Now the team is more strategically aware; the team knows

clearly why it is doing what it is doing. The team has a shared vision and is able to

stand on its own feet with no interference or participation from the leader

e. Adjourning

In this stage typically team members are ready to leave (course termination)

causing significant change to the team structure, membership, or purpose and the

team during the last week of class. If a group has fulfilled its goals and objectives,

it will move into the adjourning stage. It is the fifth, and final, stage of group

formation that occurs when a group wraps up its work and then dissolves. At this

time, it is important for members of the team to get appropriate closure as well as

recognition for the work they accomplished

4.2 Identifications of group problems/interests

A variety of studies have shown that group identification (a sense of belonging to one’s

social group, coupled with a sense of commonality with the group’s members) is linked

to high levels of satisfaction with life (SWL). The aim of the present study was to support

and extend this literature by: (1) investigating the link between group identification and

SWL with a large cross-cultural community sample; (2) examining whether the

relationship is moderated by nationality; and (3) considering whether SWL is enhanced

by possessing multiple group identifications simultaneously. Utilizing data from Wave 1

of the Health in Groups project, 3829 participants from both Scotland and Italy

completed
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a questionnaire assessing their identification with their family, their local community, and

a group of their choice, as well as their level of SWL. Higher identification with each

group predicted higher SWL. Nationality was a marginal moderator of the relationship

between family identification and SWL, with the relationship being stronger for Italian

participants than for Scottish participants. There was also an additive effect of group

identification, with a positive relationship between the number of groups with which

participants identified and their SWL. These effects were obtained even after controlling

for gender, age, employment status, nationality, and extent of contact with each group.

The implications for healthcare professionals and their patients are discussed.

When group members are interested in the problem, they will be more engaged

with the problem-solving process and invested in finding a quality solution. Groups with

high interest in and knowledge about the problem may want more freedom to develop and

implement solutions, while groups with low interest may prefer a leader who provides

structure and direction.

4.3 Participations role and activities of the day

At first, we decided to divide the part of the participant role which was shown in the

group. All of the group members decide to take part in the role of the group and complete

our task which was given to the members. All of the group members discuss the work and

divide it among them. Our motto was we should make our unity while doing the task. We

started collecting the data regarding the impact of homestay in the Tharu community. We

started with the consent of the subject and the subject was told that their answer will be

confidential. The subject was very co-operating which make it easy to collect the data.
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4.4 Contributions of group workers

There was a mutual understanding among group workers. Each of the members express

their ideas and others respected their idea. Each worker accepted their task they were

given without questioning. There was presence of helpful responsibility among the group

members. Each of the members fulfill their role perfectly. Working with group enables us

to pull our ideas and see problems from different perspectives. Due to that we can attempt

tasks that could not be accomplished by an individual, combining a variety of skills and

expertise to tackle more complex and larger sale complication: Our group also contributed

the same way there was a level of mutual understanding among us, Each of the members

express their ideas and others respected their idea. Each worker accepted their task they

were given without questioning and tried to perform their best. There was presence of

helpfulness among the group members. Each of the members fulfill their role perfectly in

responsible manner.

4.5 Coping mechanisms applied

With the addition of new group members, stress was decreased as leftover roles were

fulfilled. Members with qualities like leadership, socializing showed up which helped in

assembling the work. As members were freely allowed to place their objections, ideas

chances of conflict or dissatisfaction was greatly reduced. All the members were free to

put their objections freely. As group workers were free to put their objections it helped to

reduce the conflict and gave more ideas to be viewed. We were a little bit shortage on

members to cover the whole process. At the meantime some of the new members were

added to the team which helped in solving most of the crisis as the new members fulfilled

the leftovers during the group work. During the interview most important things that are

needed in a group worker are leadership, socialization. Group workers greatly showed

their
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leadership and socializing skills during the interview which result in the smooth flow of

interview which went properly in a right track.

4.6 Findings

Group worker visited the community of Amaltari, Nawalparasi to collect data on impact

of Homestay in Than community, the research was done by doing interview with

approved open-ended questions. According to the participants after the establishment of

homestay people were trained and were taught to be respectful towards guest. Which also

saves on of our cultural sayings ‘atithi devo vabaha’ means guest are the incarnation of

gods, as they treat their guests to especially to, they will be glad of visiting there. In terms

of tourists, they will feel so special and grateful to visit Nepal. It also reflects one of the

good sides of our culture to tourists which attracts tourist more and indirectly which can

be seen as one of the important sectors which will attract more tourist to Nepal. From the

beginning phases the homestay program had a good caring so more people involved in it.

At first there were only 18 homestays were established but with the time it's

increased to 31 and continued with more people getting employed and some of the

members of the community who were on board came back and started being part of the

homestay program. They also mentioned a certain percentage of the income they earn

through the homestay program is invested in developing the infrastructures of the

committee. Which helps in the development of that certain community and somehow it

helps in the development of the country as well. Also, with the help of the same source

community was able to establish the park, and streetlights which have greatly improved

tourism in that area. We came to learn that different committees have established different

homestay program in surface we learned about Amaltari homestay and another homestay

established by Aama samuha. Throughout the conversation the member of homestay

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committee was very grateful to such program which has provide aid to their daily life

style and drastically helped them to improve their poverty and living standard. This

homestay program has provided many unemployed women a job opportunity and helped

to developed their horizon to see the world outside the small village. Different awareness

program and training are conducted time to time to increase skills of the people in

committee which has greatly helped in developmental aspect of the community. We also

learned that they were able to save some money now in samuha for future use and many

of the children are able to have good educations and other facilities. Even though the

village is still backward and are still underdeveloped the lifestyle of the people are more

independent is in rapid developmental phase.

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Chapter 5

Conclusion and Recommendation

5.1 Conclusion

Homestay program is one of the key strategies for enhancing rural income and bio-

diversity conservation. In this study, we assessed the socio-economic and environmental

outcomes of a community manage homestay program in Amaltari village of Nawalparasi.

Homestay program has brought many changes in the structure of the society. First thing

first, the living standard of people has been uplifted, development of infrastructures,

enhancement in tourism sector has brought a vital change. With the help of homestay,

they can show their hospitality, cultural and traditional practices, foods, clothes etc.

Overall, homestay has had a very big impact for the enhancement of their society over the

years.

5.2 Recommendation

 Community should encourage more to involved in homestay program.

 -Homestay program should include more big rooms to conduct seminars when

necessary

 -Community should provide awareness regarding the importance of homestay

and its impact

5.3 Social Work Intervention

Intervention refers to actions taken by social workers to directly provide service or

support to at-need individuals. While removing a child from an abusive home is an

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example of a social work intervention, most interventions provide less dramatic means of

giving support to people with health, education or financial needs.

5.3.1 Micro level:

Individuals should get involved with the homestay program to make it better. Families

should encourage youths to get involved in developing community by promoting

homestay and deprioritize going aboard

5.3.2 Mezzo level:

Community should increase the facilities to attract more tourist. Developing infrastructure

helps in the development of tourism sector too. Community should organize more

programs like homestay to have a better utilization of their resources and sharing their

customs, cultures and tradition.

5.3.3 Macro level:

Government should advertise in international level in sector of tourism industry by

attracting the tourist with the help of natural beauty, multi-cultures Nepal has got. One of

the major things that helps in the sector of tourism industry is by developing

infrastructures like transportation system, homestay programs all over the Nepal.

Government can increase the facility of tourism via providing awareness regarding how

much income can be generated through only tourism interns of country like Nepal which

is enrich in its multi diversity of geography, natural beauty, cultures, traditions, religions

and traditions.
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Annex 1: Questionaries

1. When did homestay program started at Amaltari?

2. When did they joined the program?

3. What were your perspective about homestay before you started it?

4. What is your monthly income?

5. How the program has affected your lifestyle?

6. When did you started operating homestay?

7. Did you get any aid form any organization in initial days?

8. What is the hindrance you faced when you started homestay?

9. What are the pons and cons of operating homestay through your experience?

10. Is it effective throughout the year?

11. What adverse effects did COVID-19 or lockdown had in your occupation as

homestay operator?

12. Is there any improvement in your daily lifestyle after starting homestay?
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Reference

Homestay Tourism Nepal. (2022). Mountain Monarch, Kathmandu. The Kathmandu posts.

May 3 2022

Lamsal, A (2017). Tunza eco-generation. WWF The Generation Green .2017.

Chhetri, M.K. (2015). Nepal Rastriya Bank. Nepalgunj. Provincial-offices Nepal .2015.
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Annex 2: Photos

Fig1: Students interviewing the member of Tharu community.

Fig2: Homestay in Amaltari ,Nawalparasi.