Support Education and Livelihoods in rural Nepal

Dear supporters,

We all face uncertain times at the moment and issues can feel overwhelming. It can feel important to share stories of hope and community at this time. We'd like to share Lalita's story with you; a woman who has overcome great adversity with the support of this project. Thank you for your role in this project- without your support, women like Lalita may not have the opportunity to reach their own potential. 

Lalita is typical of most Dalit women in her community. Traditional values placed her in the role of full-time householder and child rearer while poverty forced her to work in the fields. Not owning land, with no education, daily wage labour and dependent on landlords, caring for her 3 year old son had to come second too often.

However, from donations such as yours, we have helped equip people such as Lalita with the practical knowledge and skills to achieve sustainable increases in their income. We use a variety of methods (different crops, different land, different skills) in order to adapt to different women's situations. Alongside these techniques we teach basic business, finance and saving skills, so that they get the full benefits of their work without being expolited. These methods allow them to increase their household income 4-5 times over. The simplicity of the techniques, once learned, means Lalita has more time to spend with her son. 

"I started the mushroom farming group last January to try to leave being a daily labourer. Since then we already had two harvests and we doubed what we invested. While this was good, I wanted to make something that brought me more enjoyment and was working with others more, to have more community. Recently I joined the bangle making group which suits me better.

I feel like I can do things, like I am worth something now. Before I could only write my name. Now I feel like a business woman. I enjoy so much the company of other women. We support each other and I don’t feel lonely any more. My husband supports me with my businesses and I’m so glad I can see my friends and collaborate with them. I used to be so lonely before! I make decisions for muself and my family instead of them being made for me."

Thank you again for your continued support of this project and of women like Lalita. We hope you are taking care of yourselves and we hope out of these challenging times, will come an even greater sense of community. Thank you for being a part of our community.

With warm wishes and gratitude,

Amoghamati 

Karuna Trust 

It's a real honour to share some of my recent visit to this project. Here, in her own words, it Chantin, Chairwoman of the Self Help Group in Chitwan East:

“We are a group of 15 women and I was honored to be elected chairwoman. We have been working since last year. We have set up the shed which was hard work. Now we can grow our mushrooms here many times until it collapses! We can grow 5 harvests with each pack, 3 will be good and then 2 lesser ones. Each pack brings 7-8 kg per harvest. Last harvest we made NRP 40.000 net benefit from an investment of NRP 50.000. I’m so happy that I can work in a way where I can earn my own money. 

This is such a change for us all! The social worker Binita comes once a month and we meet in the group. She shares best practices for mushroom production. Equality is important in what she teaches us about gender. We were not aware about these things, now we have become confident and support each other when there are problems. Even with the other community members we are getting better relationships. Since we earn and since we’re confident there are less issues around untouchability nowadays. 

I’m so happy for this all, thanks!”

Thank you for your support with helping women like Chantin to become financially independent, learn sustainable skills and to break the gender barriers that have held women back.