Suna Kasai

I am Suna Kasai. I reside in the Tuhuarepasal Ward no 6 of Bhanu Municipality with my son and daughter. My husband never really was by my side. Occasionally, he would send a little money, but for the last five or six years, he has completely stopped contacting us or showing any interest in our children. When he cut off all contact, it felt like a huge thunderstorm hit me. But I’m not someone to give up so easily.

March 2025

Namaskar,

I eagerly anticipate each training session, as they never fail to enrich our knowledge and transform the way we manage our finances. Today, we explored the vital topic of savings—how to systematically accumulate funds and strategically mobilize them by providing loans within our group. This practice not only enables us to generate income through interest on our savings but also fosters a profound sense of financial discipline and responsibility among us.

 

 

One of the fundamental principles we have established within our group is that savings cannot be withdrawn for at least one year. This commitment strengthens our resolve to save consistently while ensuring that funds are available when needed for loans. It is truly inspiring to witness how, despite our income levels remaining unchanged, we are making tangible progress by prioritizing savings. This experience has reinforced a powerful realization: when we wholeheartedly commit to something, managing our finances wisely becomes achievable.

A significant part of today’s training focused on record-keeping—an essential skill for financial transparency and efficiency. Although we had previously explored this topic during our seven-day training, revisiting the different methods of documentation has been incredibly insightful. Proper records are crucial for tracking our financial progress, preventing errors, and ensuring smooth operations. We learned about several key record-keeping tools, including:

  • Credit Book – A record of all loans given within the group, including repayment schedules and interest calculations.
  • Cash Book – A daily record of all cash transactions, ensuring accountability and clarity in financial dealings.
  • Inventory List – A detailed log of materials, products, or assets owned by the group, helping in business planning and stock management.
  • Meeting Minutes Book – A register to document discussions, decisions, and financial agreements made during group meetings.

Understanding and maintaining these records is empowering, as they provide us with a clear financial picture and help us make informed decisions. The training has deepened my awareness of how critical meticulous documentation is in sustaining and strengthening our group’s financial health.

As the training continues, I look forward to gaining even more knowledge and practical skills. Each session not only equips us with valuable financial tools but also empowers us with the confidence to shape a more secure and independent future.

February 2025

During the last days of our 7-day training, we heard a story that resonated deeply with everyone. Since it was so well received, I decided to share it again today with my mother-in-law.

The story takes place in a small village where a mother-in-law gave each of her three daughters-in-law 200 grams of maize before leaving on a pilgrimage. She told them she would return in four months and would check on the maize upon her return. The daughters-in-law were left wondering what to do with the maize.

The eldest daughter-in-law carefully placed the maize in a bag and stored it away, believing that keeping it safe was the best course of action. The second daughter-in-law thought it would be best to consume the maize immediately. She fried and ate it, telling herself that she would buy more later. The youngest daughter-in-law, however, saw that it was the planting season. She decided to sow the maize, hoping that by the time her mother-in-law returned, she would have a thriving maize crop.

When the mother-in-law returned after five months, she asked to see what each of them had done with the maize. The eldest daughter-in-law proudly brought out the bag, only to find that the maize had rotted, and insects had taken over. The second daughter-in-law admitted that she had eaten hers, thinking she would replace it later, but had not managed to do so.

The youngest daughter-in-law, however, led her mother-in-law to her small field, where lush maize plants were ready for harvest. The mother-in-law was overjoyed and turned to her other daughters-in-law, using this moment to teach them an important lesson. She explained that just like maize needs to be cultivated and nurtured to grow, money and resources should also be invested wisely for long-term benefits. She reminded them that this principle applied to everything in life, including their businesses—such as her pig farming endeavor—which required consistent care and effort to flourish.

As I was sharing this story, Meera arrived with Sudesh, our technical assistant. Seeing them brought me great joy. Sudesh took a keen interest in the pig farm, carefully examining the sheds and the pigs. He asked about the type of fodder I was providing, and I shared my current feeding practices with him.

Sudesh offered valuable advice, emphasizing that yam leaves are an excellent nutritional supplement for pigs. He explained that yam leaves are rich in protein and essential nutrients, promoting better growth and overall health. In addition, he provided some key recommendations for improving pig care:

  1. Balanced Diet: Along with maize and traditional feed, incorporating yam leaves, sweet potato vines, and leguminous plants enhances the pigs’ nutrition.
  2. Clean Water Supply: Ensuring fresh and clean drinking water at all times is crucial for their health and growth.
  3. Proper Shelter: The pig sheds should be well-ventilated, clean, and protected from extreme weather conditions however he told me that my shade is OK
  4. Routine Health Checkups: Regular deworming and vaccinations prevent diseases and ensure the pigs’ well-being.
  5. Waste Management: Proper disposal of waste and maintaining hygiene in the pigsty help prevent infections and improve productivity.

Listening to Sudesh’s advice, I realized how small but thoughtful efforts can lead to significant improvements. Just like the youngest daughter-in-law’s maize flourished through her foresight and hard work, investing time and care into our piggery will yield great rewards.

This experience reinforced the importance of knowledge-sharing and continuous learning, whether in business, agriculture, or life itself. I am grateful for these insights and look forward to applying them to make my pig farming even more successful.

Sudesh informed me to notify him if anything happened, so my business could run successfully. I am touched by the WAWCAS team, as usual, and I promised to take care of my business according to his suggestions.

January 2025

When Meera first mentioned the seven days of training, I wasn’t happy. Seven whole days? How would we manage? What would we even learn? I thought if they just provided seed money, I could start my business immediately—why waste time? I doubted if we could even stay the whole day. But when the training began, I realized how wrong I had been. Each day was packed with learning and self-discovery.

From the very first session, the atmosphere was incredible. During the introductions, we couldn’t stop laughing, but we also learned so much. The discussion about our inspirational figures was deeply moving—it made me reflect on my own life and how I could inspire others. What a powerful experience that was!

One of the most important parts of the training was learning about the significance of working as a group. Together, we selected our committee and developed group norms for the coming year. Listening to the shared stories was inspiring and gave us the motivation to work hard. The discussion about savings was especially touching. One story, in particular, left a deep impression—the tale of an elderly woman who was dependent on her children, none of whom cared for her because she had never saved for herself. That story made me vow to save more and secure my future.

We also learned about PCA (Pocket Chart Analysis), which opened my eyes to where my unnecessary expenses were going and how I could save more effectively. Every activity was meaningful, far beyond what I had expected.

The puzzle game was another powerful moment. It taught us that if even one small piece is missing, the picture cannot be complete. This resonated with us as a group—if one person isn’t active, the group becomes incomplete, just like the puzzle. We made a commitment then and there to work together and ensure our picture would be whole.

Creating a business plan and developing a vision for my future were unforgettable experiences. I had never thought about where I wanted to see myself three years from now. Visualizing my future was exhilarating—it felt like a dream coming to life.

The oath-taking ceremony was another unforgettable moment. We pledged to follow the plans we had made, honor the norms we developed during the training, and strive for success. It was a profound commitment that filled me with hope and determination.

Thank you to the entire team for organizing this incredible experience. These seven days were truly some of the most memorable and transformative days of my life.

 

Meera informed us that before starting the seven-day training, there was an important preliminary step we needed to discuss. As planned, we gathered to address this, and Meera, our trainer, warmly welcomed us. After a few informal conversations, she began by asking us what came to mind when we heard the word “situation.”

We exchanged uncertain glances, unsure of what she meant. Was it about material things or something else? Some of us seemed to have ideas, but no one felt confident enough to speak up. Sensing our hesitation, Meera explained that a situational analysis involves identifying the issues we face in our daily lives.

The room fell silent for a moment, as her words sunk in. Then, Meera resumed, guiding us to focus on five specific themes: personal hygiene and sanitation, child rights and child development, women’s rights and empowerment, resource identification and mobilization, and marketing. She elaborated on each theme, describing the challenges we might encounter.

For instance, under women’s rights and empowerment, she highlighted the various forms of violence women face—mental, social, financial, and political—as well as the discrimination they endure. She gave us relatable examples that opened our eyes. We realized we had never considered many of these issues as part of our struggles, and the discussions made us recognize how limited our understanding was.

 

Meera also emphasized the importance of speaking up. If we remain shy or reluctant to share our challenges, the issues will persist unresolved. She encouraged us to build trust within the group and assured us that everything shared would remain confidential within the room.

As she spoke, I felt hopeful and inspired. It became clear that identifying our problems and discussing them openly could lead to meaningful solutions. Meera then explained the next steps: we would pinpoint our key issues and create indicators to measure progress toward resolving them gradually.

For me, everything felt new and enlightening. This experience offered a fresh perspective, and I am eager to learn more and see how we can bring positive change together.

November 2024

During this period, I have been focused on when the training will start. After hearing from our trainer that there are still many processes to complete before we begin, I realized the importance of building a strong foundation. Our trainer emphasized that to establish a solid base, we need to prepare and understand all the situations that could arise, ensuring that everyone is ready to start their businesses after the training.

I have participated in all three Information Sharing Meetings (ISM), which was not necessary, but I chose to engage while waiting for the other processes. The team conducts home visits and engages with my children; however, I feel an internal frustration and struggle to remain patient during discussions. When I heard about the Economic Status Ranking (ESR), I didn’t fully understand it, but I am more hopeful now that training will start soon.

When I arrived at the meeting place, a few women and our trainers had already gathered and were preparing for the session. The meeting began with a warm welcome from Meera, who explained what we would be doing that day and how we should participate. It was clearly stated that everything had to be done by us, not by the trainers. Meera then asked us to define who we consider to be ultra-poor, poor, medium-poor, and not poor. We shared our thoughts, and it was concluded that we would have four categories: ultra-poor, poor, medium-poor, and not-poor.

After finalizing the categories, the trainer provided us with nametags that needed to be posted in the appropriate sections. Initially, I thought I belonged in the ultra-poor category. However, when I started to post my nametag, I was asked if I was sure about my placement. All the members agreed that I indeed belonged to the ultra-poor group, which made me very happy, knowing that the group will be formed soon.

After we posted everyone’s names, it was confirmed that 26 members had been finalized for the group, and all the women looked very happy.

 

October 2024

Namaskar.  I am Suna Kasai. I reside in the Tuhuarepasal Ward no 6 of Bhanu Municipality with my son and daughter. Despite having lived here for many years, the past continues to intertwine with the present and future, no matter how challenging it may have been. This means that wherever one goes, their past remains connected to their life.

From the moment my husband married me and brought me into his life, he never really stayed by my side. Occasionally, he would send a little money, but for the last five or six years, he has completely stopped contacting us or showing any interest in our children. When he cut off all contact, it felt like a huge thunderstorm hit me. But I’m not someone to give up so easily. During that time, I climbed many steps of hardship and happiness, though I don’t have a clear account of them.

For my children, I had to play the role of both father and mother, navigating through both joys and struggles, to make ends meet. My husband’s absence left an undeniable void, not only emotionally but also financially. Even though my son and daughter are grown now, as a mother, the responsibility still rests on my shoulders. It was always a challenge to earn enough through small labor work to cover household expenses.

One day, a younger sister from the village told me about an organization called Slisha that had come to our village and shared some information about the WAWCAS program. She mentioned an upcoming meeting of the women, and I decided to attend.

That day, I went to the meeting, and the staff explained what the organization does and how it operates. They detailed how Slisha empowers women like us—women who have the desire to do something but lack the necessary financial resources. They provide a 16 months program with many trainings and offer seed money to start up their business, enabling the women to become economically independant. I was so impressed by this initiative! Hearing about this WAWCAS program, which was designed to support women, filled me with renewed hope. I returned home feeling like a new strength had been added to my heart.

Now that I understood the WAWCAS program, I was eager to join a group and start my journey with WAWCAS. The mere thought of the possibilities ahead filled my heart with joy.

 

 

Dear Readers,

Namaskar,

Hi, I am Meera Achhami, and I’m writing the blog for Suna. I will be with all of you for the next 16 months. During this time, I will share Suna’s journey—the ups and downs she experiences as she transforms her life through the WAWCAS program. I am very excited to see her progress, and I’m sure all readers will enjoy her stories.

 

Warm regards,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meera Achhami

LPL Tanahun