Opportunities often arrive unexpectedly, and Project Loofah was a delightful surprise. It all began with an Instagram video showcasing natural body scrubs made from dried sponge gourds—in Nepali, Ghiraula—a vegetable my grandmother often used in her daily life. Seeing it being repurposed and sold as loofahs worldwide fascinated me. For our generation, this traditional practice has become an innovation worth rediscovering.
Curiosity led me to apply to Purak Asia’s Youth Action Fund – Youth Action Grant, and to my amazement, I was selected. My project’s mission was to train participants in 6 places in Lumbini Province Ti.na.pa-13, Ti.na .pa -06 ,Ti.na .pa -08 ,Ti.na.pa -14 ,Si.na.pa 2 and Si.na.pa 1 to craft marketable loofahs from dried Ghiraula. This project was not just about skill development but about preserving tradition, embracing sustainability, and empowering communities.
The challenges began early as I started by project. Ghiraula is a seasonal vegetable, and the prolonged monsoon delayed its availability. By November, dried ghiraula was nearly impossible to find. I reached out to friends and contacts, knocking on every possible door. With persistence and some luck, I finally gathered enough raw materials to kick off my project. It was a moment of relief, but I knew the real work was just beginning.
Creating a prototype was another steep learning curve. Hours of online research taught me how to process the loofah: soaking dried Ghiraula in hot water, shaping it, and attaching a base of biodegradable bakram. This hands-on experience prepared me for the training sessions ahead.
Securing permissions to conduct training in six wards required several rounds of travel and coordination with local authorities. To my surprise, the communities welcomed the project with open arms, excited to learn and explore this forgotten traditional knowledge.
The first day of training, however, tested my resilience. Torrential rain made it difficult to even reach the location, and I was worried if participants would show up. But to my delight, they arrived, eager to learn despite the weather. Midway through the session, I realized we had too few scissors, glue, and bakram. Soaked to the bone, I ran from shop to shop, ensuring the workshop continued without interruptions.
Seeing the participants’ reactions as they crafted their loofahs was deeply rewarding. They were thrilled to personalize their products by writing their names on them, and the pride in their eyes was worth every ounce of effort.
Each training session brought its own challenges and joys. I recall one participant who initially felt overlooked when materials were being distributed. Her frustration melted into gratitude by the end of the session as she mastered the process and left with blessings and encouragement. These interactions reaffirmed the importance of such grassroots initiatives.
Participants were brimming with curiosity and enthusiasm, often asking thought-provoking questions like, “Is there really a big market for loofahs outside Nepal?” and “How aesthetic do these loofahs look when packaged for sale?” Many expressed surprise, saying, “This should have been turned into a business long ago!” Others wanted to know, “What challenges might we face while turning this into a business?” It was exciting to discuss how eco-friendly products like loofahs are gaining popularity globally for their sustainability, how thoughtful packaging enhances their appeal, and how challenges like seasonal availability and scaling production could be overcome with proper planning and collaboration.
Participants also reflected on their cultural roots, noting how loofahs used to be a common household item in Nepal. They were intrigued by the growing global trend toward eco-friendly products, with some commenting, “The younger generation is so interested in sustainable alternatives—this could be a great opportunity for Nepal!”
Many shared ideas on how to enhance the appeal of loofahs, such as using handcrafted packaging that highlights Nepali culture or promoting them as a natural product unique to the region. The excitement was contagious as participants saw this not only as a way to revive traditional knowledge but also as an opportunity to connect with global eco-conscious trends while creating a sustainable income source. These discussions, filled with pride and hope, added depth to the sessions and inspired everyone to imagine a future where local traditions meet modern innovation.
As we moved forward into our project execution, the challenge of working around festivals like Dashain required adjusting timelines and seeking permissions anew. Yet, by the end of the project, we had trained around 300 participants across six wards. Many expressed excitement about continuing loofah production, not just as a skill but as a way to reconnect with their roots and generate sustainable income.
Despite the success, the challenge remains: ghiraula is a seasonal vegetable, and preparing a marketable product in large quantities requires planning well ahead of time. However, I am hopeful. Among the hands we trained, I believe some will carry this vision forward, turning this tradition into a sustainable livelihood.
Looking ahead, this project is not an endpoint. My dream is to continue it through the plan to involve Ama Samuha (women’s groups) to take this initiative further. With their dedication and community networks, I envision this becoming a thriving enterprise, delivering loofahs to markets and making a positive impact on both livelihoods and the environment.
Project Loofah has been more than a journey of skill-building—it has been about hope, resilience, and the beauty of reconnecting with nature and tradition. I am deeply grateful for the support I received along the way and for the trust of the communities who embraced this idea.
As I look back, I feel proud of what we achieved together. And as I look forward, I am optimistic about what’s yet to come. Together, with the hands we’ve trained and the dreams we share, we can build a more beautiful, adapting to more sustainable lifestyles—one loofah at a time.

Romi Kumari Sah
Romi Kumari Sah is a veterinary student passionate about environmental sustainability and community empowerment.
This article is a product of the Youth Action Fund – Insights to Social Impact, an initiative supported by Purak Asia. The Youth Action Fund is a four-month fellowship program designed to empower young individuals to implement innovative solutions addressing critical societal challenges. The program focuses on themes such as Sustainable Future, Effective Governance, and Alternative Approaches to Rural Economic Issues. It provides essential support and guidance to youth-led initiatives, encouraging their efforts to establish social enterprises and develop creative solutions for governance and sustainability challenges.