At Kopila Valley, we’ve always believed that small actions can create big ripples. One of the most inspiring examples of this is our partnership with Jaysara Baral—a beekeeper in the remote Karnali region of western Nepal whose story reminds us of the power of women’s leadership, resilience, and environmental stewardship.

Jaysara’s journey began with mushroom farming, but after a three-day training with the Karnali Province Beekeeper Federation, she discovered a new passion. Inspired by the environmental and health benefits of beekeeping, along with the opportunity to grow economically, she started with just five hives. Today, she has grown her business to an incredible 101 hives. Jaysara now works full-time in beekeeping, selling local honey at our school’s farmers’ market and to customers as far away as Kathmandu and Morang.

Her beekeeping is about so much more than honey. Jaysara’s bees pollinate more than ten varieties of plants and trees—including eucalyptus, sissoo, callistemon, khair, semecarpus, butter plant, bauhinia, pogostemon, and mustard—strengthening both wild and cultivated ecosystems. Each hive contributes to healthier farms, stronger community forests, and more resilient food systems.

Despite working in a male-dominated field, Jaysara has built her business from the ground up, all while being a single parent and the sole provider for her daughter’s education and her family’s livelihood. She produces approximately 40kg of honey per hive per year. She makes all her own business and household financial decisions—a remarkable achievement in a rural context.

Jaysara also gives back. She mentors other local women farmers, teaches our Grade One and Grade Seven students about the life cycle of bees, and inspires the next generation to understand the critical role pollinators play in food systems and ecosystems. She is an active member of the Karnali Province Beekeeper Federation, where she collaborates with other lead beekeepers to share knowledge and promote sustainable practices across the region.

Her work has directly benefited an estimated 600 women and 1,200 people—including Kopila Valley staff, students, customers, and their families. The wider community benefits as well, through access to healthy honey and the biodiversity her bees support. A fellow honey producer recently said, “Jaysara is working very actively in the production of quality honey and is an example of hard work.” We couldn’t agree more.

Looking ahead, Jaysara plans to partner with the Community Forest Management Committee to conduct educational events about pollinators, promote native plantings, and support aspiring beekeepers. She even transports her bees seasonally to the jungle areas of Bardiya district and agricultural lands for pollen collection, ensuring her bees thrive year-round.

Her journey is a powerful example for our students. When they see Jaysara standing in front of their classroom, they see a leader, a scientist, an entrepreneur, and a changemaker. They see that one woman can impact not just her family, but an entire community—fostering biodiversity, strengthening food systems, and inspiring the next generation.

At BlinkNow, we are honored to collaborate with Jaysara as part of our mission to build local resilience and sustainability through education. And we’re deeply grateful to you—our supporters—because your generosity helps make partnerships like this possible. Every gift to BlinkNow creates ripples: in a child’s classroom, in a farmer’s field, in a forest, and in the hive of bees that remind us how interconnected our world truly is.