By Sophie Stephens | Digital Fundraiser
Gandhali is a mother of four children living a challenging life in a rural village in Bajura. Her husband travels to India to work as a labor migrant. He must work away for six months every year, meaning Gandhali is often alone with her children. Whilst his earnings go towards their children’s education, food, and clothes, it is barely enough to sustain them. Gandhali has a small patch of land to grow grains and vegetables, she also keeps some goats and buffalos. She wants to generate more income for her family by selling the produce. Sadly, due to the discrimination of the local community, no one buys milk or vegetables from her house, as she is a Dalit.
Gandhali says, “My father and forefathers spent life here being suppressed by some members of the upper cast. We are also living in the same way because there is no place us to go”.
Struggling with isolation, Gandhali was relieved when a new neighbour moved in. Little did she know that they were about to change her life!
She discovered that her neighbour was a social mobiliser of Green Tara Nepal- our partner’s project. She encouraged Gandhali to set up a women’s group, giving her a boost of confidence and determination Gandhali needed. In a small amount of time, a women’s group were flourishing and growing by the day, this empowered Gandhali to realise her potential and influence in a community.
“All the women of this village gather every month to learn more about menstrual health, gender, social discrimination, and other current issues. The social mobiliser also belongs to a Dalit cast so I am much attached to her…I feel that meeting her was a blessing” Gandhali shares.
Thanks to the support of the women’s group, Gandhali no longer feels alone. She now has a community of women- who nurture and uplift her! She feels her voice is not only heard but valued. She is even speaking to community leaders about how to develop this project- encouraging more women and people who menstruate, to get involved and feel a vital part of something incredible.
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