Stories from the Field: Socioeconomic Empowerment Program for Women and Marginalized (SEWAM)

Meet Jamuna, our SEWAM Hero for 2018.

"Getting trainings and loans on low interest gave me confidence me to start my own business", says Kriti Lama.

Kriti Lama, age 28 lives in Kumroj, Chitwan. Her family consists of 4 members which includes her two children and her husband. They had a difficult life as her husband and herself worked as a daily wage laborers and could not earn enough to feed the family. They used to take loans in the village in a very high interest.

Before becoming a member of Srijana Women group she was a shy person with very low confidence. She hesitated to speak in front of others.  The motivator of WPD Nepal encouraged Kriti to join the women group. After joining the group she participated in various trainings such as poultry farming, bamboo chair making, literacy classes, cornerstone training and women reproductive health. 

After receiving various trainings Kriti was confident to take loans from the trust fund and started buffalo raising and goat raising business.  She got encouraged to start her own business taking loans from the trust fund in low interest. Today Kriti has her own small house and saves Rs. 20,000 every month.

Kriti shares, "Getting trainings and loans on low interest gave me confidence to start my own business". Today, she is a confident and independent woman who is contributing to her family as much as her husband. Kriti thanks her supporters World Accord and Women for Peace and Democracy Nepal who motivated her to become a self-dependent woman.

Marni Devi Sada shares, "Now, I feel that we should all work for building our community."

Marni Devi Mahara, aged 55 is a member of Puja women group. Her family consists of 6 members who include her husband, her two sons, her two daughter-in-laws and a grandson. Her husband used to work as a laborer and Marni as a house wife. With the limited amount of money her husband earned, it was difficult for them to fulfill basic requirements. Whenever they were in need of money, they used to ask loans with the villagers in higher interest rate.

Before joining the Puja women group, s Marni was very shy and introvert. She hesitated to speak in front of others. She had no skills nor received any training.  After joining the group, Marni participated in trainings and awareness programs, which made her confident enough to speak up her mind and even raise her voice against discriminations and women violence. She received trainings on literacy, cornerstone, goat raising, awareness on women health and sanitation. After the trainings, she took loans from the trust fund and has started goat raising. Today, Marni Devi is very satisfied and happy as she is able to earn for her household expenses as well as is encouraged to do something for the community. She shares, "Now, I feel that we should all work for building our community." She extends her heartfelt gratitude towards all her supporters WPD-Nepal and World Accord for the life changing support.

"If women are given opportunities they can make a difference as well", says Bhagwati Upreti..

Bhagwati Uprety age 32, Kumroj, Chitwan had a troubled life. Her husband worked in the field as a laborer and didn’t earn enough to support the family. Bhagwati had no work and lived as a housewife. They had difficulty fulfilling their family's basic needs. They usually ended up borrowing money from the villagers who usually charged them huge interests.

Bhagwati had no special skills and moreover she had no confidence to do something on her own until she became a part of Milijuli women group. After becoming a member of the group she received various trainings like organic farming, animal husbandry, incense sticks and women health. After receiving those trainings, Bhagwati felt confident to initiate small scale business.

Bhagwati took loans from the trust fund and started goat raising, vegetable farming and cow farming. Today she earns approximately Rs. 25000 in a month and she is very happy that she can meet the household needs and can send her children to school.

Bhagwati shares, "If women are given opportunities they can make a difference as well". She says that she feels so proud of herself when she looks at her happy family and thanks World Accord and WPD Nepal for believing on her.

"My life would still be full of struggles and hardships if I hadn’t joined the Phulbari women group”, says Reeta Theeng.

Reeta Theeng, age 32 lives in Makwanpur district and is a member of Phulbari Women Group of Handikhola village. Her family consists of five members, which includes her two sons, a daughter and  mother-in-law. Four years ago, Reeta Theeng’s husband left her for other women. Reeta belonging to the minor community and also not having any skills had to face a lot of difficulties. Having no support from her husband, it was difficult for Reeta to feed her children and mother in law. She worked as a laborer, which is usually a seasonal job. Due to her bad financial situation, she could not get loans even if she was ready to pay back with high interest. Reeta was an introvert and always hesitated to speak in front of others.

"My life would still be full of struggles and hardships if I hadn’t joined the Phulbari women group " says Reeta. Reeta says that her life has changed after joining this group. She shares, “After receiving various trainings like goat raising, animal husbandry, awareness on health and hygiene and doll making, I am now confident to do something on my own”.

Reeta Theeng took loans from the trust fund and started vegetable farming, which is running very well.  Today, Reeta is a confident and independent woman. She is able to manage the household expenditure on her own. reeta says " I have left my past behind me, and this was all possible due to SEWAM program”. She promises to continue to work and inspire other women in her village to work and become independent. She thanks her supporters; World Accord and WPD-Nepal for help and support she has received.

“I used to feel my future was dark but now I can see it bright, no one knew me before but today everyone respects me." Says Anju Budhathoki

Anju Budhathoki aged 22, is a member of Kailashpuri Women Group since. She lives with her husband. She got married at the age of 16. Due to her early marriage could not complete her studies.

After Anju became a member of the group, she got the opportunity to take tailoring training. After the training she started her tailoring work at her house. After few months attended advance tailoring training and has become a very perfect tailor in the community. Today she not only runs her own tailoring shop and hires staff but also gives trainings in and outside the community. Anju, she earns monthly net Rs. 25,000.

 “I used to feel my future was dark but now I can see it bright, no one knew me before but today everyone respects me." says Anju Budhathoki. She is thankful to WPD-Nepal and World Accord for giving her the opportunity and all the support.

Anu says, "Thank you, for helping me to get the skills and to become independent and serve my family"

Anu Budathoki, aged 32 is a member of Kailashpuri women group formed under SEWAM program. She got married at the age of 17. Her husband works as a laborer overseas. Before joining the group, Anu had tough times. After her husband left the country, she had to take care of her house alone. Anu didn’t had any skills to initiate generate income generating activities. When she was in need of money she had to go and request for loans where they charged higher interest.

Anu shares, "I had no idea how a women group worked. I always wanted to be a part of a women group but I was too shy to step forward". One of the members of the group encouraged Anu to join the groupAnu's life took a positive turn when she joined the Kailashpuri women group. Anu took part in various trainings like organic farming, pig raising and tailoring. Anu loved the tailoring work and decided to do the tailoring business and support her family. After the training she took a loan from the trust fund and bought a tailoring machine. Today she is actively involved in tailoring business. She earns Rs. 25,000 – 30,000 in a month. Anu is happy as now she doesn’t have to ask for loans from others in her village and can feed her family and send children to school. Anu says, "Thank you, for helping me to get the skills and to become independent and serve my family"