August 2025
Hello and Namaste Dear Readers
I hope you are all doing well. Here in the Terai region, the monsoon season has arrived, but sadly, the rains have not. Instead, the scorching sun continues to burn over us. Life in this heat is difficult, and every day brings new struggles.
One day, without any prior notice, Deepak quietly visited my home. At that moment, I was busy feeding the pigs. I greeted him with respect, and he began a warm conversation, first asking about my children and husband. I told him that my children are back in school since they have reopened, but my husband, unfortunately, has no work these days. He spends his time searching for opportunities.
Deepak then asked me deeply, “Why is your husband not working?” I replied with a heavy heart, “It is very hard to find work here, so he has decided to go abroad. He has already applied for a passport and is busy with that process.”
After that, he asked me about my paddy field. I told him the crop is growing, but this is the time when fertilizers like urea are required. Sadly, there is a shortage, and the price in the market is very high. This, too has become another burden for us farmers.
Deepak then asked to see my diary. As I handed it to him, he went through it carefully. He smiled and said, “Good, you have done well.” He asked how I managed to keep the records, and I replied with pride, “My children help me in writing this diary.” That simple moment filled my heart with happiness — because it showed how my children are learning and supporting me in my journey.
Soon after, the children from the Girls Project and the Child Group also came. Deepak greeted them warmly, and they replied, “We are good. We are going to tuition classes, and it helps us a lot.” When Deepak asked about their plans, the children said with joy, “We are planning to do a rally on Children’s Day, and we will need your help.”
Listening to them, I remembered my own learnings. The tools like PCA (Pocket Chart Analysis) and SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) have truly helped me understand myself and my surroundings. And through IBT (Issue Based Training) topics — women’s rights, sanitation, children’s rights, conflict management, and more — I have gained confidence and willpower that I never had before.
Day by day, I feel myself growing stronger — not just financially, but socially and mentally as well. These months have changed my life in ways I cannot fully express. Sometimes I have so much to say, but words fall short.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you all for your continuous support and guidance. Thank you for standing beside me throughout this journey.
With love and gratitude,
Salita Devi