Shuklaphanta: Bhakta Bahadur Mahara from Shuklaphanta Municipality-7, Kanchanpur, has transformed his livelihood by tapping into the potential of woodcraft, a skill he honed by watching YouTube videos. Two decades ago, Mahara worked in a furniture workshop, but the earnings from that job were insufficient to support his family, prompting him to seek alternative avenues for income.
According to National News Agency Nepal, Mahara’s journey into woodcraft began when a friend shared a video on his mobile about creating woodcraft materials. Inspired by the digital content, Mahara started crafting wooden utensils, utilizing the guidance provided by YouTube tutorials. Previously engaged in house decoration, Mahara faced irregular work and financial instability. However, he now finds crafting and selling woodcraft articles more profitable than his previous daily wage work.
For the past two years, Mahara has been producing items such as glasses, jugs, bottles, pitchers, bowls, vases, spice containers, and rolling pins from wood, particularly ‘Vijayasal,’ and bamboo. He sells these handcrafted materials for prices ranging from Rs 500 to Rs 2,000. Mahara reports a monthly income exceeding Rs 40,000, a significant improvement from his past, when periods of unemployment were frequent. His products are in high demand, with customers visiting his home to purchase them.
“The community forests here have been providing me the wood required for producing the wooden materials, praising me for my work,” Mahara stated, emphasizing the support he has received locally. Despite the high demand, Mahara struggles to meet it as he works alone. His story illustrates the potential of using social platforms like YouTube for skill development and entrepreneurship.
Reflecting on his journey from a wage laborer to an entrepreneur, Mahara expressed satisfaction with his current earnings. He highlighted the importance of diligence and utilizing one’s skills within the country, thereby avoiding the need to seek employment abroad.