OUR STAFFS Kesang Yudron Executive Director With over a decade of grassroots experience in sexual and reproductive health advocacy particularly in the high-altitude regions, Kesang brings a grounded, community-centered approach to .................................................. Read More Igroom Dolma Lama Sr. Programs Manager Igroom Dolma Lama is a dedicated and dynamic development professional with over a decade of experience in the social development sector since 2012. She holds a Master’s Degree in International .............................. Read More Sajina Kalikote Communication Officer Sajina Kalikote is a Creative Marketing & Communication Enthusiast passionate about storytelling, community growth, and creating meaningful connections through communication. With experience across ........... Read More OUR BOARD Kesang Yudron President With over a decade of grassroots experience in sexual and reproductive health advocacy particularly in the high-altitude regions, Kesang brings a grounded, community-centered approach to her work Kesang’s work ..................... Read More Pravat Jung Gurung Board Member Pravat Jung Gurung is a governance, international affairs, and public diplomacy professional with over 12 years of experience in democratic governance, public policy, development cooperation, ......................... Read More Pema Dolkar Board Member Pema Dolkar is a semi-retired business woman who has run a garment co-op and an export house for the past 40 years. She started her business with a little shop in Kathmandu called the Little Tibet Shop where she worked on making clothing .......... Read More Nabin Chitrakar Board Member Nabin Chitrakar has 35+ years of experience in cargo and logistics management. He currently works as the Cargo Manager at Muktinath Cargo and has built a strong career in the transportation and freight sector ...................................... Read More Niraj Karki Board Member Niraj Karki is an outdoor enthusiast and mountain guide who is passionate about climbing and adventure. He is the Co-Founder and Manager of Ascend Climbing in Sanepa, where he helps create opportunities for people ............... Read More

Conscious Connections Nepal is a nonprofit organization working to improve health and education outcomes across Nepal, with a strong focus on Menstrual Health & Hygiene (MHM), gender equity, and community empowerment. We collaborate with diverse communities including women, youth, LGBTQI individuals, and persons with disabilities to create inclusive and stigma-free spaces. CONSCIOUS CONNECTIONS NEPAL Building Resilient Communities Through Local Leadership About us Our Programs OUR VISION A Nepal where women and communities are healthy, resilient, and empowered to navigate both everyday challenges and climate crises with dignity and confidence. OUR MISSION To equip women and girls with the knowledge, skills, and resources to manage their health, respond to climate-related risks, and access opportunities, fostering self-reliance, leadership, and long-term resilience. Who We Are Conscious Connections Nepal (CCN) is a women-led organization working at the intersection of menstrual health and hygiene (MHM), climate change adaptation, and community-based first aid response. In Nepal’s Himalayan regions, climate vulnerability and gender inequality are deeply interconnected. Disasters disrupt access to water, sanitation, healthcare, and menstrual products, placing women and girls at disproportionate risk. At the same time, harmful taboos around menstruation continue to limit dignity, mobility, and opportunity. We address these overlapping challenges through an integrated approach that combines health education, climate resilience, and emergency preparedness, ensuring women and communities are equipped not only to survive but to lead and adapt. OUR IMPACT 2,057 DIRECT BENEFICIARIES 10,000 INDIRECT BENEFICIARIES 7 PROVINCIAL OUTREACH WORKING AREAS OUR APPROACH Menstrual and Reproductive Health and Rights Our menstrual health education programs provide critical knowledge and resources, ensuring that women and girls can manage their health with confidence and dignity. Climate Resilience and Disaster Preparedness Our community based first aid and wilderness training equip community members with vital skills enabling them to respond effectively to emergencies and improve community health outcomes. Our goal is to ensure that reproductive health stays central when disasters hit communities. Advocacy and Policy Change We work with local municipality leaders to work as a bridge between the community and the local government in sexual and reproductive health rights. Women's Leadership and Livelihood We built the Training of Trainers network so local women become MH educators in their own communities. We encourage local languages as a medium to disseminate information. TRANSFORMING COMMUNITIES The women and girls who live in these communities are the ones who transform them. Sustainable Change We build the knowledge, skills, and networks that let communities lead their own transformation, from menstrual health to livelihoods to climate resilience. Cultivating Resilience From health shocks to a changing climate, communities face real uncertainty. We work alongside them to build the skills and confidence to adapt and to lead when it matters most. Nurturing Potential We believe in what every woman and girl can become. Our work gives her the knowledge and confidence to shape her future on her own terms. OUR IMPLEMENTING PARTNERS TESTIMONIALS Before this training, I had many misconceptions about menstruation and female anatomy. I learned important information about how the female reproductive system works, which has helped me better understand and support the women and girls in my community. Tulasha, Kavre District One of the things I learned through this training was accurate information about female anatomy and reproductive health. This knowledge challenged many of the myths and misunderstandings I had grown up with. Jebika, Mustang District Before attending the training, I lacked basic knowledge about female reproductive anatomy. Learning about the different parts and functions of the reproductive system helped me better understand menstruation and women’s health. Ashika, Humla District

CONTACT US Feel free to contact us at any time. Our team are always ready to assist you with any queries you may have. You may visit our office as well. (Office hours: Mon-Fri 10am - 6pm) CALL Call us at: +977 971-6599612 Mail For general enquiries: info@consciousconnectionsnepal.com Location Office Location: Bhagwati marg, Thamel, Kathmandu

BLOGS A journey to Upper Mustang where menstrual health education is creating confidence and lasting change. Up Read More What we learned from the women who are quietly reshaping menstrual health in Humla Up Read More Tulasa's journey shows how knowledge, dignity, and inclusion can transform lives. Up Read More

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CCF teams up with Drokpo Nepal in empowering women in Mustang through menstrual hygiene management and Pad- Making training. Mustang, often called the “Forbidden Kingdom,” is a remote Himalayan district in the rain shadow of the mountains, with elevations between 2,800 and 4,000 meters (9186 and 13123 feet). Its rugged terrain, deep gorges, and high altitude deserts leave many villages isolated, where health education is scarce and cultural taboos silence conversations about menstruation. Here, many women and nuns still lack the knowledge and resources to manage their periods safely and confidently. Chhiring Lhamo Gurung, Vice-Chairman of Lo-Ghekar Damodarkunda Rural Municipality, shared that while the local health post organizes menstrual awareness programs, language barriers often limit their impact. When they learned that Drokpo Nepal could conduct sessions in Tibetan and Mustang languages, they reached out to us. Responding to this need, Drokpo with the CCN team and financial support from CCF, held four Menstrual Hygiene and Pad-making workshops, one in a nunnery and three in different villages. The workshops were designed not only to provide practical knowledge but also to create a safe and inclusive space where women and girls could openly discuss menstruation without shame. The journey to Upper Mustang from Kathmandu was long and challenging for the whole team. After a flight from Kathmandu on May 7, 2025, we traveled nine hours by jeep from Pokhara to Marpha, and then another six hours through rugged terrain and deep gorges to reach Tsarang at 3,750 meters. The high-altitude desert spread endlessly around us, and the fierce winds of Tsarang village greeted our team at 3:00 PM on May 8, 2025, marking the beginning of our mission. The following day began with a meeting with local stakeholders, including the Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson of Lo-Ghekar Damodarkunda Rural Municipality, who informed the villages about the menstrual hygiene awareness programs and encouraged participation. Organizing the sessions came with challenges, as villages like Marang lacked proper halls. Additionally, one session overlapped with Buddha Jayanti, and since many women and girls were away on pilgrimages that day, we had to postpone it by one day.With the guidance of Chhiring Lhamo Gurung, however, the Drokpo team was able to overcome these challenges. The session began in Lokhé (Mustangi Language) with a warm and welcoming atmosphere, with the aim to make participants feel comfortable. From May 9 to 13, 2025, our MHM program reached three villages and one nunnery in Mustang, Charang (39), Marang (28), Dakmar (45), and Charang Nunnery (36). On May 12, we had to pause the session because of Buddha Jayanti, but every village still received a full day of menstrual hygiene sessions and reusable pad-making training. We began the session with a few open-ended questions about what menstruation meant to them and the words or code words they used for periods. At first, the women were shy, covering their faces with scarves or hands and giggling at questions about menstruation. Many had never openly discussed these topics before, so even simple questions caused laughter and embarrassment. As the session progressed, the initial shyness gradually gave way to curiosity, and the participants began engaging more openly, asking questions and sharing their thoughts and personal experiences. At the beginning, many participants viewed menstruation as impure. Some referred to it as ལུས་ཀྱི་ནད་ (“Lu Kyi Neh”), translated as "a disease of the body." Most women believed that periods began from the hips, as they had always heard it described with the word “kepa” from their mother and sister, which means “hips” in the Mustang language. During the sessions, these misconceptions were gently addressed, opening space for dialogue and better understanding. By the end, participants felt more comfortable and began asking questions about family planning, white discharge, and the health of the uterus and breasts. During the session, one woman in her late fifties described, “Whenever there is dryness around the vagina, I just apply Vaseline. I got relief for some time, but the dryness, discharge, and itching are not going.” The team advised against using Vaseline, explaining that it can trap bacteria and worsen infections. Participants were guided to maintain hygiene, change undergarments regularly, use cotton clothing, clean the vulva with warm water without soap, and stay hydrated. One woman shared her experience as the session on family planning continued. “Young girls today are lucky to have this information and these options. Back in our day, there were not even small health posts in Mustang. We had to walk miles to Jomsom for family planning services,” reflected one participant. Another woman spoke about her experience with the Copper T contraceptive, saying, “They told us it would last twelve years, but mine came out after just two years. I had to have it removed because of the excruciating pain.” The team explained that procedures like Copper T and tubectomy should always be carried out by experienced doctors to ensure safety and effectiveness. An older woman who is in her late 50s shared how menstrual hygiene was managed in the past. “My friend and I, in our age group, had never seen such period products and never used anything like that when we were young. We just changed the trousers after a few days,” another added. “Now the younger generation has a lot of options, earlier some of us used our headscarf and any piece of clothes available during the period. Back in the day some did not use any of it.” Participants were taught proper hygiene, safe pad use, washing and drying cloth pads, and avoiding old or dirty clothing to prevent infection. Many were curious about tampons and menstrual cups, asking questions about how to use them. Seeing these products for the first time sparked curiosity, and some participants even wondered and asked, “If we insert the tampon or cup into the hole, then where can we urinate from?” The team explained patiently, helping them understand the separate functions of the menstrual and urinary passages by introducing basic reproductive anatomy. Meals were provided during the sessions, making the atmosphere warm . During over shared meals, women felt comfortable opening up, exchanging experiences, and learning together. Beyond raising awareness, the workshops emphasized on practical training in reusable pad-making. Each session lasted a full day, starting with engaging discussion before meals and followed by a hands-on workshop, where participants learned to make their own reusable pads. This empowered women to produce their own pads independently and manage their menstrual health with dignity. Over the course of the program , 170 menstrual health kits were distributed among 148 women, nuns and girls in Charang village (39), Marang Village (28) ,Dakmar Village (45) and Charang Nunnery (36). Each contains reusable cloth pads, underwear and soap with the aim of supporting the dignity and daily well-being of women, girls, and nuns. With financial support from CCF, Drokpo Nepal along with CCN was able to make a meaningful impact in Mustang by breaking menstrual taboos, raising awareness, and providing practical skills and resources. The workshops not only offered education on menstrual health, family planning, menopause, and reproductive cancers but also created safe spaces for open dialogue. By teaching reusable pad-making, distributing hygiene kits, and addressing the needs of diverse groups, including LGBTQ+ individuals and those with disabilities. The sessions empowered women, girls, and nuns to manage their health with confidence and challenge harmful social norms.

OUR FUNDING PARTNERS OUR IMPLEMENTING PARTNERS

OUR STORY Conscious Connections Nepal was born from more than a decade of working alongside women and girls in Nepal's most remote communities. We saw the same pattern repeated after every flood, landslide, earthquake, or road closure: clean water disappeared, health services became inaccessible, menstrual supplies ran out, and women and girls bore the greatest burden. Yet menstrual health was almost never included in emergency preparedness or disaster response planning. We grew out of the menstrual health work pioneered by the Conscious Connections Foundation (CCF) and, in 2024, became an independent, Nepali-registered nonprofit able to receive funding directly and make our own decisions about the communities we serve. Today, Conscious Connections Nepal is grounded in the belief that the people closest to the challenges are also closest to the solutions. Our approach is different by design. Rather than delivering one-time aid, we invest in local women as menstrual health educators, first- responders, and community leaders who continue strengthening their villages long after a project ends. We provide education in local languages and integrate menstrual and reproductive health with climate adaptation, disaster preparedness, and community first-aid response so dignity, health, and care do not disappear when crises strike. We believe lasting change happens through trusted partnerships with local governments, schools, health workers, women's groups, and community leaders. Together, we strengthen local systems rather than creating dependence on outside assistance. Today, Conscious Connections Nepal works at the intersection of menstrual health, gender equality, climate resilience, and community leadership. We intentionally build programs that include those most often left behind, women and girls with disabilities, LGBTQI+ community members, and trans women seeking economic independence through leadership and livelihood opportunities. From Humla, Mustang to Sankhuwasabha, we work where help is hardest to reach, alongside communities, never around them. Every woman we train creates a ripple effect by sharing knowledge, challenging stigma, preparing communities for future emergencies, and helping ensure that the next generation of girls grows up with dignity, confidence, opportunity, and resilience. Mission To equip women and girls with the knowledge, skills, and resources to manage their health, respond to climate-related risks, and access opportunities, fostering self-reliance, leadership, and long-term resilience. Vision A Nepal where women and communities are healthy, resilient, and empowered to navigate both everyday challenges and climate crises with dignity and confidence.

Igroom Dolma Lama Sr. Program Manager Igroom Dolma Lama is a dedicated and dynamic development professional with over a decade of experience in the social development sector since 2012. She holds a Master’s Degree in International Cooperation and Development Studies (2017) and is driven by a strong commitment to creating positive change in communities and society. She currently serves as the Senior Program Manager at Conscious Connections Nepal, leading initiatives focused on empowerment, inclusion, and sustainable development.

KAVRE

Sajina Kalikote Communication Officer Sajina Kalikote is a Creative Marketing & Communication Enthusiast passionate about storytelling, community growth, and creating meaningful connections through communication. With experience across nonprofit and business sectors, she has worked to amplify youth voices, document community impact, and develop engaging campaigns that inspire action and foster positive change. Her work spans strategic communication, content creation, social media management, and visual storytelling, with a strong commitment to gender equality and youth empowerment. Believing in the power of authentic narratives to challenge norms and build more inclusive communities, Sajina combines creativity with purpose to create communication that informs, inspires, and drives social impact.

NUWAKOT