They are up before the sun, working all day in their homes and fields, tending to their children, men, and livestock. And they do this high in the Himalayas, up and down shingle-filled hill paths, carrying heavy loads of produce and fodder on their backs. Meet the hill women of Uttarakhand.

Umang is a collective of Self Help Groups (SHG) and producer shareholders in the Himalayas engaged in promoting livelihoods to improve the lives of hill women and their families.

Catch Escandita share her experience of interning with Umang across the achingly beautiful and pleasant Himalayan summer. Find out more about the rich melange of food preservation methods and why the lives of independent women across the hills should be an inspiration.