Tipling is the northernmost village development cluster of the Dhading district in Nepal. Sitting above 2000m below the Ganesh Himal mountain range that separates Tibet and Nepal, it is still today a remote region, where one needs to walk several days to reach. Its population, the Tamang are believed to have come from Tibet around the 7th century. Whilst they have remained Buddhists throughout the centuries, many have converted to Christianity.

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On April 25 2015, a severe earthquake with a magnitude of 8.1 struck Nepal, leaving a trail of destruction across the country, and destroying nearly all houses in Tipling. Although a number of humanitarian agencies, NGOs and inter-governmental bodies have competed to provide aid and reconstruction activities, the difficulty in getting first-aid, food and raw materials to such a remote place rendered the mission much harder than expected.

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“While in the past they bargained from position of equality because they traded grain desired by Tibetans for the salt that they required, they are becoming increasingly involved in an economy that requires them to sell their labor in unequal exchange and in competition with others who must do the same.“ — Thomas E. Fricke

School area in Lingjo. The only building from the school compound that resisted the earthquake was the toilets, built by the WFP. Fortunately, the earthquake struck on a Saturday.
School area in Lingjo. The only building from the school compound that resisted the earthquake was the toilets, built by the WFP. Fortunately, the earthquake struck on a Saturday.
Whilst the needs of the population increase, so does the altitude at which animals can graze and as a consequence, fire wood can be cut. Animal shelters are moved along the graze every two or three days.
Whilst the needs of the population increase, so does the altitude at which animals can graze and as a consequence, fire wood can be cut. Animal shelters are moved along the graze every two or three days.
While most of the country is nearly locked to a standstill, due to the shortage of fuel and other primary goods, caused by India's border blockage.
While most of the country is nearly locked to a standstill, due to the shortage of fuel and other primary goods, caused by India's border blockage.
95% of the community in Tipling is Christian. Once the Jesuits established the first church, literacy, income sources and health levels have increased. The carpenter, Dawa has one of the highest incomes of the village, at around 500USD per year. The honey he produces is given to the family and offered to the sick.
95% of the community in Tipling is Christian. Once the Jesuits established the first church, literacy, income sources and health levels have increased. The carpenter, Dawa has one of the highest incomes of the village, at around 500USD per year. The honey he produces is given to the family and offered to the sick.
Couple teamwork finishing a blanket that took a week to create the line, a week to create the roll of tissue, a day to stretch and soften, a day to dry and two days to cut and sew. The families producing such lifelong blankets, do it once or twice per year.
Couple teamwork finishing a blanket that took a week to create the line, a week to create the roll of tissue, a day to stretch and soften, a day to dry and two days to cut and sew. The families producing such lifelong blankets, do it once or twice per year.
Young female porters using headlamps return to Tipling with fire wood.
Young female porters using headlamps return to Tipling with fire wood.
Tipling falls asleep closer to the stars.
Tipling falls asleep closer to the stars.
Pravina and her younger sister walk back up to the animal shelter, where they will spend the night guarding the sheep and ox. During the day they lost 7 sheep, as it was very steep and slippery. Besides taking care of the sheep, Pravina works in the fields, and helps her mother taking care of the house and her 3-year old sister. She took care of her two younger sisters until they were five, not being able to attend school.
Pravina and her younger sister walk back up to the animal shelter, where they will spend the night guarding the sheep and ox. During the day they lost 7 sheep, as it was very steep and slippery. Besides taking care of the sheep, Pravina works in the fields, and helps her mother taking care of the house and her 3-year old sister. She took care of her two younger sisters until they were five, not being able to attend school.
Before the earthquake, and the reconstruction expenses there was enough money available to purchase goods and services. Tunissa is going soon to primary school which costs a quarter of his older brother' salary.
Before the earthquake, and the reconstruction expenses there was enough money available to purchase goods and services. Tunissa is going soon to primary school which costs a quarter of his older brother' salary.
The Lama performs the opening ritual of the Tihar festival. The festival ends on the 5th day, sisters make a special grandly for their brothers from a flower that wilts only after a couple of months, symbolizing the sister's prayer for her brother long live.
The Lama performs the opening ritual of the Tihar festival. The festival ends on the 5th day, sisters make a special grandly for their brothers from a flower that wilts only after a couple of months, symbolizing the sister's prayer for her brother long live.
Kitchen close to Jarlang. The time needed to get wood fire is the main adversary of school attendance.
Kitchen close to Jarlang. The time needed to get wood fire is the main adversary of school attendance.
Everyday a designated person reminds the villages of the importance of selecting which wood to take as fire wood from the forest. Sustainability is sang over Tipling.
Everyday a designated person reminds the villages of the importance of selecting which wood to take as fire wood from the forest. Sustainability is sang over Tipling.
"Made in China - Aja sa boli saina". Children re-watch an episode downloaded some time ago whilst a family member was in Dhading Besi.
"Made in China - Aja sa boli saina". Children re-watch an episode downloaded some time ago whilst a family member was in Dhading Besi.
Young porter carrying a bundle of fire wood. The first day is spent ascending to the forest, finding and cutting and descending to Sodding (3200m) to spend the night. The day after is spent ascending again through the Pangsang pass, finding and cutting additional wood and returning to Tipling. By the 2nd day, 4600m of altitude difference have been walked, usually wearing flip-flops. Wood porters earn an average of 70USD per month.
Young porter carrying a bundle of fire wood. The first day is spent ascending to the forest, finding and cutting and descending to Sodding (3200m) to spend the night. The day after is spent ascending again through the Pangsang pass, finding and cutting additional wood and returning to Tipling. By the 2nd day, 4600m of altitude difference have been walked, usually wearing flip-flops. Wood porters earn an average of 70USD per month.
Tamang woman feeding her newborn in yet another average day in Tipling. Their protein energy deficient diet is the main cause of the high mortality rate among newborns and children.
Tamang woman feeding her newborn in yet another average day in Tipling. Their protein energy deficient diet is the main cause of the high mortality rate among newborns and children.
Christianism showed them that they wouldn't need to sacrifice animals and food to please the gods, or take loans to pay tribute, including alcohol, to the Lama.
Christianism showed them that they wouldn't need to sacrifice animals and food to please the gods, or take loans to pay tribute, including alcohol, to the Lama.
Nearly all houses used to be built using piled stones and wood ceilings. After the earthquake, the wood was used to make walls and the tarps used to shelter the animals at higher altitudes, used as ceilings
Nearly all houses used to be built using piled stones and wood ceilings. After the earthquake, the wood was used to make walls and the tarps used to shelter the animals at higher altitudes, used as ceilings
Sheets of corrugated iron being used to shelter a small garden. Although getting the iron sheets has been full of challenges, including the cross of the Pangsang pass, due to the lower literacy level, it is common for Buddhist villages to misuse the resources provided by NGOs.
Sheets of corrugated iron being used to shelter a small garden. Although getting the iron sheets has been full of challenges, including the cross of the Pangsang pass, due to the lower literacy level, it is common for Buddhist villages to misuse the resources provided by NGOs.
Village earthquake recovery meeting in Lingjo. Each Village Development Cluster is represented by a Village Development Committee.
Village earthquake recovery meeting in Lingjo. Each Village Development Cluster is represented by a Village Development Committee.
"We used to walk to India - it would take a month." They say when they see young ones getting tired around the village.
"We used to walk to India - it would take a month." They say when they see young ones getting tired around the village.
School class in upper Tipling. The school has 12 teachers and 256 students. Retaining teachers in Tipling is difficult, as the majority comes from Dhading Besi or Kathmandu, several days away. As a result, teachers are often absent.
School class in upper Tipling. The school has 12 teachers and 256 students. Retaining teachers in Tipling is difficult, as the majority comes from Dhading Besi or Kathmandu, several days away. As a result, teachers are often absent.
The Tamang continue being one of the most marginalised ethnic communities.
The Tamang continue being one of the most marginalised ethnic communities.
The main reason parents move to the capital city, is to offer a better education for their children.
The main reason parents move to the capital city, is to offer a better education for their children.
Ambrita Ghale and her close friend walk the 1,5 hour path to school (in the background). During the monsoon season, the path from Lingjo to Laptung becomes very slippery.
Ambrita Ghale and her close friend walk the 1,5 hour path to school (in the background). During the monsoon season, the path from Lingjo to Laptung becomes very slippery.
Young girl in Pangsang Pass. At 3840m, the pass is the fastest way to transport goods to Tipling.
Young girl in Pangsang Pass. At 3840m, the pass is the fastest way to transport goods to Tipling.
The start of another day for a young family in Tipling.
The start of another day for a young family in Tipling.
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