Mr. Saroj Katel

My name is Saroj Katel. I was involved with MDN between 2015 and 2020 as a “Senior Public Relations Officer”.

During my time with MDN, I was able to witness Nepalese community from both micro and macro level. On one hand, I was establishing relationship with the people of the disadvantaged community of Nepal, while on the other, I was advocating on behalf of them with the government bodies. I was involved in several programs and projects which I enjoyed to facilitate in the community. However, as everyone has their favourite buddy! one of my favourites is the “menstruation hygiene awareness program.”

I along with my teammates trained women of Kafalchaur, Dhading district (Nepal) to make homemade sanitary pads whereby I personally designed and demonstrated how to make pads with available resources. The idea here was to break the taboo and stereotype that exists in our society and create positive change in the lives of women. Menstruation is still not openly spoken topics in many disadvantaged communities and many women suffer from illness due to poor hygiene practices and lack of proper foods (Chaupadi : A tradition in Nepal, turns menstruating women into untouchables. Women suffering from menstruation process is not allowed to enter kitchen and kept separate and have to rely on whatever foods given to her). While Working at MDN, I mostly utilized bottom-top approach of community development where people of the community were the main actors and changemakers. Being a public relations officer gave me the privilege to be a part of many programs and projects that have somehow touched the lives of people in one or more ways.

As for me, MDN has touched my life in a way that I can now confidently speak for myself and on behalf of those who are underprivileged. MDN has truly helped me as I discover the “advocate” within me for which I’m forever grateful.

Together we can change many lives, so, why not….Make a Difference!