Our Work

Data Gathering

Spiny Babbler knowledge center professionals have traveled across Nepal, from Ilam in the far-east to Dadeldhura in the far-west to gather data, qualitative insights, images, sounds, and video. From Rukum to Taulihawa, the team has processed youth violence, enterprise development, radio programming, to data on alternative media and its impact on life and development.

Data has been derived from grassroots minorities, those in leadership positions, and key stakeholders of studies, programs and projects. The cross-section of society involved in data gathering has been representational: from those who have no education, those from ethnic minorities, those involved in

• In 1996, SBPP, a small enterprise development program needed data collection from Bhairahawa, Butwal, Chitwan, and Bhaktapur.
• Extensive data was collected and individual research reports prepared on youth violence in 8 districts in English and Nepali languages for Search for Common Ground.
• Women involved in the civil war in Ramechhap, Sindhuli, and Kavre districts of Nepal and their peaceful transition was documented for ILO.
• 270 women from six nations talked about challenges faced by women of the Hindu-Kush Himalayas. What they shared was documented for ICIMOD and later published in book form featuring Hindi, Nepali, and English languages.

Mainstream progress to those who help run districts and zones, Spiny Babbler knowledge center has worked effectively and sensitively to come up with clear and tangible insights.

Key informant interviews, focus group discussions, workshops, non-interventionist observation, action research have been used to collect data. Data is collected using paper or devices, filtered and uploaded to cloud environment for better access and sharing, material organized and saved, and packaged into packages appropriate for local, national, and global audiences.

Information Management

Organizations may need new data or, alternatively, they may have existing data needs to be managed and converted into information. Spiny Babbler knowledge center helped convert data collected over 13 years by sectoral experts in development of the Netherlands Consulate in Nepal into a 350-page publishable manual. Institutional, program, project, or event related information may need to be streamlined and made shareable such as in the case of the earliest violence against women and girls manual for UNICEF regional office for South Asia.

Spiny Babbler knowledge center and filter, analyze, organize, and manage information, memories, and sitting knowledge or additionally complete and update the information. This sector builds on the following expertise:

• Writing in English and Nepali: Technical as well as creative writing is the base upon which Spiny Babbler is built. Research in some of Nepal's most remote as well as urban areas, regular publication, appreciation by the independent media as well as established writers: the knowledge center has a very strong base in writing. Whether a script for Habitat for Humanity, annual report for Lutheran World Federation, book on women trafficking, leaflet or prospectus text, PowerPoint presentation, the knowledge center has covered significant ground over the years.
• Editing in English and Nepali: Initially legalized as Editorial Services in 1994, the knowledge center has processed documents for other editorial teams as well as global institutions such as the International Red Cross. Besides copy and substantive editing, the team has led projects such as creative writing on mountain issues from 20 nations across the world (Iran, China, Bangladesh to Switzerland) for APMN, networked with more than 83 schools of Central Nepal as for its Child-to-Child project with ILO and other products.
• Translation from English to Nepali or the other way. One critic commented that our translation personnel capture, "the fog's moisture and the light of a million fireflies." In the meanwhile, health, governance, conservation, gender, and more than 100 documents have also been translated over the years. RTI international's security related document, Heifer International's animal husbandry related issue, or Redd Barna's health manual, Spiny Babbler knowledge center has provided excellent quality.
• Imaging in the form of still photos, full HD videos, illustration on paper, computer generated 2D or 3D imaging and films. Exhibitions, technical documents, professional documentaries and docu-dramas that the knowledge center has produced have been discussed and shared at the international level. New approaches, innovative presentations, and clear messaging are strengths of the knowledge center. More than 1000 illustrations have been prepared and published over the years.

Media and Products

Specific input such as editing or translation to a full range of media use, Spiny Babbler knowledge center is experienced in generating quality output. It has completed projects involving single as well as multiple media formats. Its products have supported national, bi-lateral as well as multi-materal organizations. Multiple languages, print, web, and video was required by ARD. Urban Development through Local Efforts (UDLE) required a folder containing video and a report.

Content Design. Content and design are linked to audiences. Choice of language, the look and feel, level of detail are determined based on previous on-field product testing. Spiny Babbler knowledge center is known for culturally sensitive yet globally appreciated designs.

Print Media Products include leaflets, brochures, reports, manuals, posters, folders and books. From formatting, designing, color separation, to high quality printing, Spiny Babbler has prepared more than 100 products in the print media.

Web and New Media Products. Spinybabbler.com was among the first entries into the world wide web from Nepal. Transition from tape to digital media, CDs, DVDs and other new media have been handled early on by the knowledge center.

Video and Animation. Full HD documentaries and dramas have been prepared for United Nations programs, SAARC business organization, Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation and others. Spiny Babbler was the first organization to integrate video into 3D and come out with a full product in Nepal (for UNESCO).

Alternative Media Products. Direct contact and reach through art shows - view our program with 92Y, music and dance, theatre, and other creative means disseminates knowledge effectively. In early the 2000s a 3-year Alternative Media Project was implemented with ICIMOD and the Ford Foundation.