Blogs

After working for almost two years as a journalist, I was looking forward to work in in the field of communications. I had previously been involved in NGOs as a volunteer, tutor/counsellor and research assistant before starting my career in journalism. This time it was a bit different as I did move a step forward in my career to become a communications specialist.

Adjusting at the new environment was not as tough as I had imagined it would be. The ambiance at HERD was good and the colleagues were friendly and welcoming. Sushil Sir and my line manager Sudeep Uprety were very supportive and in no time I became a member of HERD family.

Everyone was scared when we witnessed one of the biggest disasters of Nepal, the earthquake of April 25, 2015. The May 12 earthquake was even more fearful to me. However, coming to the office was not as scary after few days as I knew I was safe here.

Immediately after the disaster, the Research Uptake and Communications Unit began media monitoring of the relief efforts. We used to go through different online news portals and collect the details which used to be published in the form of a daily report every evening. I even got a chance to go to different camps, hospitals and be a part of relief efforts. During that period, I got a chance to connect with other staffs as we all used to work on the ground floor.

‘After some time following the disaster, we started working on our cubicles. After every aftershock at least one staff used to look at my table hoping I didn’t have a panic attack’. When I think of this sometimes it’s embarrassing how you get scared every time but it also felt good that everyone cared for me. 

We continued media monitoring for a months and published a summary report. Along with the media monitoring, I started working on various write-ups. We started publishing blogs, field diaries, newsletters and special series. Since, my first day at HERD, everyday has been a new learning experience. Each day, Sudeep Dai has something new for me, he teaches, guides; sometimes I ask him a lot of questions but he always makes sure all my confusions are clear. Here at HERD there is so much to learn and you learn something from everyone.

I have been involved in various publications like blogs, newsletter, special series, case studies, report writing, media-monitoring as well as documentary. I have also been learning proposal writing. Like my previous job I still am taking many interviews. I have been getting opportunity to talk to many experts on various issues and publish it.

Here at office, when talk to my colleagues, they look at me with suspicion and say, “When you say that we get a little nervous because it always seems like you come to take interview”.

I have also been part of a media research project “Strengthening the media response to urban health issues in Nepal”. This project has been special to me because in the first phase of the media workshop, I was involved in it as a participant. I was also involved in the translation of Urban Health Policy 2072, participation in Joint Annual Review Meeting 2015 and National Housing Reconstruction Survey. Every person has a different attitude and working with them I have learnt how to deal with people.

I have been exploring my weaknesses and trying to improve it. After every task, I learn something new. I know there is a lot to learn and learning is a tough process. When I see myself, I feel like I have just started learning the ABC of communication. There are many things I need to know and to bring in practice. This is just the beginning and the journey is long and HERD has been an amazing platform for my growth.