Dudh Kumari Gurung

Namaskar! Today, I want to share my journey into business. As a farmer, I’ve always been comfortable taking care of animals, but I had never dared dream of running my own business. That changed when I became a member of the WAWCAS group. Inspired and motivated, I made a firm decision to become a successful businesswoman.

I live near a forest, where neighbors are few and far between. This isolation inspired me to start a pig farming business—something that suited my surroundings and would allow me to use my resources wisely. During the training sessions, I learned so much, not just about creating a business plan but also about the intricacies of livestock management.

One key lesson I took to heart during training was that desired changes are possible if we commit ourselves fully. This thought gave me the courage to embark on this journey. Yet, being my first business, I couldn’t help but feel a bit scared. What if it fails? What if I face losses? These thoughts often crossed my mind.

I shared my concerns with the trainers, and Meera, one of our trainers, reassured me. She told us that if any problems arise, we can reach out for help, and our Technical Assistant (TA) will be there to guide us. This assurance brought me immense relief and confidence.

I decided to start small. I’ve built a strong shed for my pigs—a small but solid beginning. As I look ahead, I dream of seeing my business grow steadily. I know it will take time, but I’m hopeful that, with patience and dedication, my efforts will pay off.

One day, I believe my pig farming business will flourish, and I will be able to resolve my financial challenges. This dream is no longer just a distant hope; it’s a path I’ve chosen to walk with determination.

November 2024

Namaskar, I am Dudh Kumari Gurung from the 7 Days Training Hall. Today marks the last day of the 7 Days Training , and I am filled with joy. I truly feel like I have become a more complete person. As human beings, we must seek knowledge, and today, I have taken a significant step toward that.

Growing up in a remote village in Lamjung, I never had the chance to explore the world beyond my surroundings. It was a journey of discovery for me, as I came to understand that women have their own rights. I have learned about our struggles and the strength we possess to overcome them.

During the training, I discovered the power of group dynamics and the strength that comes from seeking support from others. I learned to reduce unnecessary expenses and gained valuable insights into my strengths and weaknesses. I was truly amazed by how much I could learn in just seven days.

As an illiterate woman who struggles with the Nepali language, I found it remarkable that our trainer, Sunita Gurung, taught us in our own language. Her ability to explain concepts clearly filled me with joy and gratitude, reminding me that with the right support, we can overcome any challenge. It was not only easy for me it was easy for most of the group members because we are in the same ethnicity.

Through this training, I strongly feel that my life has been changed a lot. We learn how to manage time, how to make business plans, and very importantly to visualize where we want to be in three years from now. To speak honestly, I never think about where I want to be.

In the beginning, when we first heard about the 7 full days of training, I was unsure whether I would be able to stay that long and absorb so much information. However, time flew by, and now I feel that the training should continue for a few more days. We received seed money of 25,000 rupees, and I am committed to starting my business according to my plan.

October 2024

Hello, my name is Dudh Kumari Gurung. I am 38 years old and I live in Dordi-7, Lamjung. I have one son and one daughter. My husband works locally, and we have been managing our livelihood through farming until now. Despite working tirelessly in agriculture, we are struggling to make ends meet, even to afford two meals a day. There isn’t much work available in the village either, and sometimes my husband gets seasonal labor jobs. If not, we have to rely on farming to cover our household expenses. I, too, haven’t been involved in anything other than household and farm work.

Due to the lack of fertile land, no matter how hard we work, the yield is always low, so at the end of the day, it becomes tough to feed our families and educate our children. With no other sources of income, I once thought of sending my husband abroad for work. But the process seemed difficult, and the uncertainty of it all made me hesitant. As our children grow older, I’ve been more anxious about their future.

One day, I heard from a friend in the village that a program was coming to our area. She mentioned a meeting at the community center, and I was curious to know more, so I decided to attend. At the meeting, some women from the organization named Slisha and its program called WAWCAS explained thethe program. I learned that this program is aimed at empowering women like us who are struggling. I felt so happy! I had never gotten such an opportunity before. But now, I had this chance, and it made me incredibly excited.

Not only that, but they also offered small seed money to start up small businesses with some contribution, and women like me would be given seeds and materials to start our own businesses. This boosted my confidence and gave me hope. I returned home and told my husband everything. However, he was skeptical at first and questioned why I would join a group. I felt discouraged because I had already realized how much this opportunity could benefit us. I didn’t want to let this slip away.

Despite my initial disappointment, my husband gradually began to understand. Eventually, he agreed, and we decided to take part in this program, and with the seed money we received, we will start a business. The women in my village, including me, are very happy that such a beneficial program has come to us. Now my husband has decided not to go abroad, and instead, we are making plans to increase our income right here. Let’s see what the future holds, but I have hope that the results will be positive!

Dear Reader,

Hello and Namaskar,

I am Sunita Gurung, and I am excited to write the story of Dudh Kumari from Lamjung. I look forward to exploring the turning points in her journey. Every day, I am learning how women face various challenges, and it’s fascinating to see their resilience.

With warm regards,

Sunita Gurung

LPL Lamjung