July 2026
My name is Bhawani, and today marks three months since I became part of the SLISHA’s WAWCAS Program. Although it has only been a short time, these three months have brought remarkable changes to my life. The knowledge, encouragement, and practical skills I have gained have transformed me personally, strengthened my family, and inspired me to contribute positively to my community.
As a single woman, life was not easy. I used to be afraid to speak with people because I constantly worried about what they might think or say about me. I kept my feelings to myself and lacked the confidence to express my opinions. Today, I proudly say that I have overcome that fear. I can now speak confidently with anyone, express my thoughts openly, and participate actively in discussions. This change has not only transformed how I see myself but has also changed how others see me. Even people who rarely spoke to me before now greet me with respect and appreciation. I have realized that confidence begins from within, and changing my mindset has changed my life.
During the past three months, we participated in learning sessions on hygiene, nutrition, and child development. These sessions opened my eyes to many things that I had never considered before. I understood that real change begins at home, so I started by improving my own daily practices.
I now clean my house, surroundings, and animal shed every day. I separate biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste and manage household waste more responsibly. In my kitchen garden, I grow organic vegetables and fruits, and before eating them, I wash them carefully with salt water. I have also started sprouting beans and including a variety of nutritious foods in our daily meals. These may seem like small changes, but together they have made a big difference in the health and well-being of my family.
One of the greatest joys has been sharing what I learned with my two daughters. They have embraced these new practices and are now teaching the same lessons to their own children. Seeing my grandchildren grow up with healthier habits fills my heart with happiness. Even more encouraging is the positive change in parenting within our family. There is now more patience, understanding, and positive communication with children instead of constant scolding. Watching these changes unfold has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.
Through the project, I received seed capital of NPR 25,000 to start a small livestock business. With this support, I purchased one mother goat and two young female goats. The mother goat was pregnant, and I eagerly hoped she would give birth to twins. When she delivered only one kid, I felt disappointed. Later, my goats became sick and started losing weight despite my best efforts to care for them. There were moments when I felt discouraged and questioned whether my hard work would ever succeed.
However, the four-day livestock training gave me knowledge that became my strength. Instead of giving up, I prepared homemade herbal medicine based on what I had learned during the training and treated the goats myself. Slowly, they began to recover. That experience taught me an important lesson: every challenge is an opportunity to learn, and knowledge gives us the confidence to overcome difficulties.
I now have a clear vision for the future. Once my goats reproduce, I plan to sell some of the offspring and invest in an improved breed to expand my business. Alongside goat farming, I also earn additional income by making and selling cotton wicks during my free time, which helps support my household expenses. My next goal is to start raising local chickens to diversify my income and make my business more sustainable.
As my income slowly grows, so does my confidence. I no longer believe that my age or my circumstances define my future. I firmly believe that anyone who is willing to work hard and continue learning can build a better life. I now dream of expanding my business, becoming financially independent, and creating a secure future for myself and my family.
Looking back, I realize that this journey has been about much more than increasing income. It has been about discovering my own strength, rebuilding my confidence, and believing in my potential. Today, I am not only improving my own life but also sharing my knowledge with others in my community. Being able to inspire and support other women gives me immense pride and purpose.
SLISHA has helped me see possibilities where I once saw only limitations. The changes I have experienced in my personal life, family, and livelihood have given me hope for a brighter future. I am deeply grateful for this opportunity, and I am committed to continuing this journey of learning, growing, and helping others.
This is only the beginning of my story. I believe the best chapters are still ahead.
Thank you.