Rewati Gurung’s life is a testament to resilience, determination, and a deep commitment to empowering others. An entrepreneur, filmmaker, and social activist, Gurung is the visionary behind the non-governmental organization (NGO) Moving Mountain Nepal and the film company Moving Mountain Pictures. Her journey, marked by trials and triumphs, ultimately led her to create Kokroma, a sustainable brand dedicated to reviving traditional Nepalese garment-making and supporting women’s empowerment.
The Early Years: A Call to Action
Rewati Gurung’s story begins long before the birth of Kokroma. Her passion for social causes was ignited by the devastating 2015 earthquake in Nepal. The earthquake served as a wake-up call, making her realize the fragility of life and the urgent need to make a difference. Surviving such a catastrophe felt like a second chance at life, and Gurung was determined to use it wisely.
In the immediate aftermath of the earthquake, Gurung used her savings to provide tea to victims at Nepal Medical College and Nepal Orthopaedic Hospital. What started as a small initiative quickly grew into a fundraising campaign, drawing donations from friends, family, and strangers alike. After two weeks of working on the tea project, Gurung visited Sindhupalchowk, one of the areas most severely affected by the earthquake. Seeing the dire state of the children there motivated her to establish Moving Mountain Nepal.
Moving Mountain Nepal provides waterproof school bags filled with study essentials for primary school children, eco-friendly sanitary pads, and supports painting informative murals in rural classrooms. The NGO’s work reflects Gurung’s deep commitment to improving the lives of those in need, especially in rural areas where resources are scarce.
A Turning Point: Lessons from Finland
In 2015, another event had a profound impact on Gurung’s life. She traveled to Finland, initially planning to continue her studies. Having already completed her master’s in English Literature in 2007, she was interested in courses related to Finnish art, culture, and history. However, the earthquake and her involvement in social projects made her more committed to working in Nepal. She ended up taking only a summer course on gender, culture, and politics at the University of Helsinki.
During her stay in Finland, Gurung’s frequent visits to museums sparked her interest in photography and filmmaking. She was also fascinated by the Finnish ‘Baby Box,’ a free maternity package provided by the government to pregnant women. These two interests would later inspire her to found Moving Mountain Pictures and Kokroma.
While in Finland, Gurung reached out to Peter Vesterbacka, the founder of Slush and Angry Birds, seeking funding for her earthquake relief project. Vesterbacka, however, questioned the long-term sustainability and impact of her project. He pointed out that unless the working adults in the affected households became financially independent, the children might still face poverty and lack of resources.
This encounter led Gurung to reevaluate her life’s purpose. She realized that while her work was important, it needed to be sustainable to create lasting change. Influenced by her studies in Finland and recognizing the power of visual media, she founded Moving Mountain Pictures in 2017. The company produces documentaries on social and gender issues, with a particular focus on women entrepreneurs in Nepal. Her work has earned her numerous awards, including 2nd place in Dan Church Aid’s Dignified Menstruation Short Video Contest (2018) and first place in the 16th International Entrepreneurship Forum Conference’s Short Film Competition.
The Birth of Kokroma: A Sustainable Future
Despite her success in filmmaking, one question continued to trouble Gurung: “How can I create more jobs?” She wanted her work to have a more direct and sustainable impact on the lives of those in need. In 2018, a chance encounter with a woman from Sindhupalchowk provided the clarity she sought. The woman tearfully expressed guilt about receiving free items from Gurung’s NGO, making Gurung realize that while helping others is important, it can also be a double-edged sword. Constantly receiving material or financial assistance can hurt a person’s dignity and self-worth.
This realization inspired Gurung to create Kokroma, a brand that aims for sustainability through local resources, job creation for locals, and self-sufficiency. Kokroma specializes in traditional Nepalese garments like bhoto sets, kokro cribs, and khasto blankets, with all raw materials sourced from Nepal.
Currently, Kokroma employs 15 women from mountainous areas like Solukhumbu and Kavre. The company’s fabrics, mainly cotton, are woven by prisoners in Kathmandu, who are trained in dyeing and weaving. This not only equips them with valuable skills for the future but also provides them with income to support their families while serving time. Kokroma follows a zero-waste policy, recycling all off-cuts and scrap cotton.
Overcoming Challenges: A Testament to Resilience
Gurung’s journey hasn’t been easy. She faced numerous challenges in raising funds for her projects, often using her savings and earnings from filmmaking to support her initiatives. Starting Kokroma was particularly challenging, and she nearly gave up at the start. But a chance encounter with a stranger who believed in her dream provided the support and encouragement she needed to keep going.
Gurung’s resilience and determination have paid off. Kokroma has become a source of hope and empowerment for its employees, providing them with financial independence and a sense of purpose. Gurung aspires to transform Kokroma into an internationally renowned baby and maternity care brand, creating even more opportunities for Nepali women.
Over the last five years, Gurung has faced numerous personal and professional challenges, including divorce, financial losses, cooperative scams, and broken relationships. But she remains undeterred, proud of what she has achieved and committed to her mission of empowering others.
A Message of Hope: Pursue Your Dreams
Gurung’s story is one of resilience, resolve, and the power of dreams. She encourages everyone not to give up on their dreams, no matter how difficult the journey may be. “It’s better to go through a painful journey pursuing your dreams than live a soulless life enslaved to something you don’t want,” she says.
Rewati Gurung’s journey serves as an inspiration to all, reminding us that with determination, resilience, and a commitment to making a difference, we can overcome any obstacle and create a better future for ourselves and others.
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