Sushila

September 2024

My name is Sushila Devi Paswan, and I come from the Dalit community. I am a proud member of Group 4 in the WAWCAS Program. My family consists of seven members: my mother-in-law, my husband, three daughters, and two sons. My eldest daughter works as a housemaid in Hetuda. Joining the WAWCAS group has transformed not only my life but also the lives of my family members. I had always dreamed of starting my own business and earning an income, but I had no capital. I tried borrowing money from local lenders at a steep interest rate of 5%, per month but no one trusted me.

In 2023, I learned that Slisha was organizing WAWCAS group meetings aimed at improving the economic and social status of women. I attended the meeting and was included in their targeted group, following their selection criteria. Trainers from the organization held several meetings and visited our homes, and soon after, a seven-day training program was announced. At the time, my family relied on daily labor for survival. My husband and I both worked at a brick kiln, but his heavy drinking made life difficult, as he rarely contributed financially to the household. My mother-in-law and I struggled to make ends meet.

Despite the challenges, I was determined to attend the seven-day training. After discussing it with my mother-in-law, I decided to participate. That training changed my life. I learned how to reduce unnecessary expenses, much like the analogy of a leaky pot—no matter how much you earn, if you don’t manage it well, it’s never enough. I understood that creating a business plan and sticking to it could make a business profitable. I had never attended any training before and was shy, but this experience boosted my confidence. I became aware of my strengths and weaknesses and gained the courage to take action.

At the end of the training, each participant received 30,000 rupees to start their business. I used the money to launch my vegetable business, following the plan I had created. Now, I earn between 8,000 and 15,000 rupees per month. It wasn’t easy at first, but with the support of my friends, it became more manageable. As I started earning, my happiness grew. Before joining the group, my children rarely attended school, but after joining, they began attending regularly. I also realized the importance of education. The organization even formed children’s groups that met twice a month for meetings and daily for the tuition class, which further motivated my children to stay in school. Most importantly, I asked my eldest daughter to quit her job as a housemaid, and she was so happy.

In our group, we started saving money individually and collectively. This enabled us to expand our businesses and access loans when needed. I was finally able to free myself from the burden of the 5% interest loan from local moneylenders. Over the next nine months, we received monthly training on problem-solving, covering essential topics such as hygiene, child rights, women’s rights, violence against women, and nutrition. These discussions helped resolve household disputes and brought greater harmony into our lives.

With the income from my vegetable business, I was able to expand my business, and therefore I purchased goats. The goat even gave birth to a kid! Now I also managed to buy a buffalo. My mother-in-law helps me feed the animals, and this has made our lives easier. My husband has significantly reduced his drinking. Thanks to the organization, I finally understood the importance of supporting the family. Not only I, but all the women in our group have seen their incomes increase, and there is now greater peace and cooperation in our homes. My husband now supports me fully.

I am deeply grateful to the Slisha organization for giving me the capital lots of trainings and the confidence to start my business. Their support has enabled me, a once very poor woman, to move forward. I wish the organization continued progress and success.

Dear Readers,

Sushila Devi’s story represents resilience, transformation, and the impact of economic empowerment. Coming from a marginalized Dalit community, she confronted significant challenges, including financial struggles, social stigmas, and family difficulties. Her husband’s drinking habits and lack of household support compounded her burdens, and initially, she had no access to capital or opportunities to improve her family’s situation. Through our trainings, support, and encouragement, she successfully emerged as an entrepreneur. Witnessing her progress fills me with pride and satisfaction, affirming the importance of the work I am doing here. I am confident that everyone is impressed with Sushila’s journey. This experience has been immensely enlightening for me.

Thanking you all.

With my personal regards,

Sangeeta Singh Thakuri

August 2024

Time flies by so quickly, almost without notice. It’s been 15 months since we formed our group, and many of those months have passed with various challenges and progress. However, during this time, I’ve learned so much about moving forward in life.

In the past, I used to work in a brick factory with little wages, but now, with the help and encouragement of my friends and trainers in the group, I’ve been able to start my own business. I can now fulfill the needs of my family without worry. The burden of always having to rely on others is gone, and the peace in my home has increased. My income has helped my family cover our household expenses.

I started a vegetable business. It was tough but gradually I managed to deal with the customers. After 10 months of my vegetable business, I have managed to start an additional business of goat farming. Now, the goat has even given birth to a kid. My mother-in-law also helps by collecting grass and leaves for the livestock. I am planning to sell the goats during “Chhath” festival.

Chhath Puja is the most prominent festival which is celebrated in Tarai. Chhath is a famous festival that starts on the 6th day of the Hindu calendar month “Kartika” after Tihar. This festival is dedicated to the worship of the Sun God and his wife Usha. This festival is celebrated to thank God for supporting life on earth and to seek the blessing of divine Sun God and his wife. According to Hindu religion, it is believed that sun heal several health conditions and offers longevity, progress, positivity, prosperity and well being. 

When we sell the goats, we will earn around 26,000 rupees. With this money, we plan to celebrate Chhath nicely.

The income from my vegetable business helps cover the cost of my children’s education and supports my household expenses. My husband works as a laborer, and ever since I started earning money from my vegetable business, my status and voice in the family was acknowledged. Even in the community, I feel a newfound respect.

As an uneducated and extremely poor woman, I am grateful to the group/WAWCAS team that has supported me, provided me with resources, and taught me the skills needed to run a business. The transformation in my life has been immense, and I am deeply thankful to WAWCAS for empowering me. I sincerely request that they continue to support other women like me so they, too, can transform their lives.

My additional business makes me so happy I feel so good and we have prepared a plan how to celebrate our biggest festival Chhath.

July 2024

During our recent group discussion and exchange program, we engaged in an insightful activity designed to illustrate the dynamics of conflict. After reviewing issue-based training from previous sessions, our facilitator introduced a game that vividly demonstrated the concept of unequal resource distribution.

A piece of paper with chocolate on top was placed in the middle, and everyone was invited to grab as much as possible. As expected, some participants ended up with more chocolate than others, and a few were left with none. This simple exercise sparked a discussion on why disparities in resource acquisition occur and how they can lead to conflict.

We explored the root causes of conflict, recognizing that unequal distribution of opportunities, resources, and power often leads to disagreement and ideological differences. Conflict, as we discussed, is not merely a lack of agreement but also the birth of disagreements and the creation of ideological rifts. It is essential to understand that conflict is sometimes necessary for driving social development, personality growth, and positive change within a community. Conflicts can arise when we don’t hear/recognize other people’s voices and always say we’re right.

Our discussion probed into various types of conflicts that could arise in our community, including land encroachment, disputes during construction, equitable resource use, and political and economic disagreements. Our facilitator illustrated these points with a story about two cows unable to eat grass. They were connected to each other by one rope around both their necks. Looking in opposite directions with their tails almost touching. In front of both was a small stack of hay. When one of the cows tried to approach the hay on her side the rope to the other cow prevented this. Same for the other cow. They were stuck. But then they agreed to eat – together – first the hay on one side, and afterwards move to the other side and eat the remaining hay together. This symbolizes that focused, positive thinking can prevent conflict.

To manage conflicts effectively, we identified several key strategies:

• Self-Resolution: Parties involved in a conflict should attempt to resolve it themselves.
• Third-Party Assistance: Seek help from a neutral third party if necessary.
• External Power: Utilize external resources judiciously to find a solution. In our households, conflicts with family members, such as spouses, children, or in-laws, can often escalate if not managed properly.

We discussed the importance of sharing our feelings, listening more than we speak, and controlling our anger to prevent disputes. Following this, we developed an action plan to manage conflicts both in our homes and communities:

• Avoid Discrimination: Treat everyone equally.
• Listen Actively: Speak less and listen more.
• Control Anger: Maintain composure in challenging situations.
• Be Transparent: Openly discuss what upsets you.
• Cultivate Positivity: Maintain a positive outlook.
• Communicate Softly: Use gentle language.
• Engage in Dialogue: Resolve conflicts through conversation.
• Timely Problem-Solving: Address issues promptly.
• Reduce Authoritarian Actions: Avoid giving orders, threats, and judgments.
• Identify Conflict Creators: Recognize and address sources of conflict.

One of our neighbors observed our efforts and expressed interest in learning from our approach to conflict management. This feedback reinforced the value of our discussions and the importance of continuous learning and sharing.

Our commitment to fostering understanding, harmony, and proactive conflict resolution within our community is unwavering. Together, we can build a more equitable and peaceful environment.

“Jai Slisha Jai WAWCAS Program” (cheers Slisha, cheers WAWCAS program)

June 2024

In May 2024, our group, RT-Wt-04, came together for an important session on violence, facilitated by our trainer Sangeeta Singh. We started by delving into the concept of violence and what it truly means. Violence, we concluded, is not just physical harm but also the way we treat each other with disrespect and cruelty. If someone mistreats us, and we in turn mistreat others, we have a cycle of violence.

Violence against women, we learned, is specifically targeted at women because of gender. This type of violence stems from deep-seated gender biases and manifests in numerous ways—from physical abuse to mental and sexual torment, spanning a woman’s entire life, from before birth to death. Both men and women, often rooted in traditional values that devalue women, can perpetrate such violence. We recognized that domestic violence is a particularly pernicious form, involving discriminatory treatment by one family member against another.

The discussion then turned personal as we shared our own experiences. I got married at the tender age of 16, and within a year, I had my daughter. The pressure to have a son was immense, not just from my family but from neighbors and relatives too. This relentless insistence that I must bear a son weighed heavily on me, causing deep sadness and a sense of inadequacy.

In our group, early marriage was a common theme—out of 29 members, only one married after completing the 10th grade. We discussed how early marriage severely affects education, health, economic independence, and maternal well-being. Child marriage, we all agreed, should be eradicated.

The conversation revealed that many of us faced significant challenges during pregnancy. We lacked proper check-ups, nutrition, rest, and care. Many of us were forced to give birth at home and endure physical violence from our husbands, compounded by scolding from family members. A member in our group voiced her anger, attributing her suffering to her husband’s ingrained habits of violence.

We discussed the importance of seeking justice through appropriate channels—ward offices, municipalities, women’s rights forums, police offices, and courts. There are laws in place to punish abusers, with fines ranging from 3,000 to 25,000 or imprisonment up to six months, or both.

Our discussion then shifted to strategies for avoiding violence:

• Report incidents to neighbors.
• Adopt preventive measures.
• Confront the abuser.
• Garner support from children or other family members.
• Plan for safety.
• Pursue independent reading and education.
• Engage in income-generating activities.
• Ensure equal education for all children.

We also created slogans for eradicating violence:

• “Son daughter – equal education!”
• “Wake up men and women from home and end violence against women through child marriage, witchcraft, and dowry.”

As our session concluded, we expressed our gratitude to each other, the Slisha organization, and the WAWCAS program for their support and guidance.

The training left us not only with a deeper understanding of violence but also with a renewed commitment to combat it. Together, we pledged to support each other, educate our communities, and work towards a future free from violence.

May 2024

Our trainer, Sangeeta Singh, reviewed our last session and we discussed what she had seen during home visits.  Sangeeta also thanked us after seeing good changes in our lives. Then, the she started to discuss HIV/AIDS. Before this, I wasn’t familiar with the subject. Here is what I learned:  Not everyone with HIV will develop AIDS.

HIV can be detected through a blood test, but may not be identifiable within the first three months of infection. This period is called the “window period.” However, an infected person can still transmit the virus during this time. An individual with HIV may remain healthy for up to 10 years or more without symptoms. AIDS is diagnosed when the immune system is significantly damaged, leading to multiple opportunistic infections such as pneumonia, skin cancer, and infections of the vagina and penis.

Current situation: There is no cure for HIV yet, but treatments are available to slow the progression to AIDS. Prevention is crucial: safe sexual practices, proper use of condoms, safe use of needles and skin-piercing tools, and ensuring blood is tested before transfusions. The Nepal government also provides medicine at no cost.

HIV/aids is still a taboo in our community, and we cannot discuss it openly. I learned a lot about HIV/aids, but I am not sure how to share those experiences with others.

We agreed and developed the following Action Plan.

Educate our Family: Share information about HIV/AIDS with family members and partners.

Will take Preventive Actions:

• Practice safe sexual behaviors and use condoms correctly.
• Use clean, sterilized needles and skin-piercing tools.
• Ensure any blood for transfusion is thoroughly tested.

Interacting with HIV-Infected Individuals:

• Treat HIV-positive individuals with respect and dignity.
• It is safe to shake hands and have normal social interactions with them.

We concluded the discussion by expressing gratitude to the WAWCS Program  and our trainer for educating us about this important health issue. Everyone thanked each other and left with a better understanding of HIV/AIDS.

Thank you for the opportunity to learn about this critical and incurable disease.

April 2024

During our training session today, we discussed child development. Our trainer asked us about both the enjoyable and tedious events we experienced during our childhood, and each participant shared their own personal experiences. As a child, we felt happy when we received love, encouragement, and praise from others, and when we had the opportunity to learn new things. Conversely, we felt bad when we were scolded or punished by others. Hence our trainer said that we should not repeat the same mistakes that were made to us when we were children. Instead of scolding, we should encourage our children with love and positivity to help them grow. When we asked others about their aspirations for their future child, they all said that they want their child to be well-behaved and successful. However, simply wishing for this is not enough. We must actively work towards making our children disciplined and successful.

Again, our trainer explained that when we plant a certain type of fruit, we cannot expect to get a different type of fruit. For instance, we cannot expect to find mangoes growing on a litchi tree or vice versa. Each fruit bears its own kind. Similarly, children exhibit both positive and negative behaviors, which are often influenced by how they are treated and the environment they grow up in.

Providing children with the best care in a positive environment is essential for their development.

A child undergoes development in five ways, with physical and mental development occurring simultaneously. Adequate nutrition, access to a child development center, love and affection, teaching them to respect others, and instilling the habit of sharing are crucial for a child’s development. Additionally, a good neighborhood environment is important for the development of a child. Politeness in speech, love and care between individuals, positive actions by elders, and good behavior all contribute to a child’s growth.

We often hear that we should inform our children when we leave the house, even if they are sleeping. But how can a sleeping child understand what we are saying? It’s important not to make promises to our child that we cannot keep, as this can lead to a habit of not believing. Similarly, by rewarding our child with chocolates, biscuits, or other items for small tasks, we develop a habit of always expecting something in return. Therefore, it’s best to avoid such habits.

By the age of 6, a child has developed around 90% of their cognitive abilities. Just like a blank sheet of paper, we can shape our child’s development through careful and deliberate attention during their early years. Children learn through observation, imitation, and positive reinforcement. They are influenced by the way we behave towards them, and so they learn good behavior when we treat them kindly and bad behavior when we display negative behavior. It is important to invest time and effort in shaping our child’s development during their formative years.

It is important to speak politely and with a sweet tone when communicating with children. They are naturally curious, so it’s important to maintain eye contact and provide meaningful responses to their questions. Praising them for their efforts and helping them when they are doing their best is also crucial. The way we speak to children should be different from the way we speak to family members.

Unfortunately, some parents have a habit of scolding and punishing their children, while also quarreling and fighting in front of them. In some families, there may be a lack of communication skills and respect for one another, leading to jealousy and other negative emotions.

After having this discussion, I decided to commit to stop scolding and beating my children. Instead, I will start supporting them in their work, and we will live together as a coordinated family. I will ensure that my children attend school regularly and provide them with a well-balanced diet after learning about the importance of nutrients. Additionally, I will share with them the vegetables that I sell in the market.

Thanks to the SLISHA Organization and WAWCAS Program, we have the opportunity to learn new things and improve our lives.

March 2024

After reviewing the previous session, we started today with the question of what do you know about safer motherhood?  We didn’t know what to say and therefore we looked into each other’s faces.

Then our trainer said that safe motherhood means ensuring that all women receive the care they need to be safe and healthy throughout pregnancy and childbirth. Safe motherhood also means women should have the right to decide if they will have a baby or not.  This, in practice, means addressing all the factors that make pregnancy unsafe. It also means that no woman, fetus, or baby should die or be harmed by pregnancy or birth. It begins with the assurance of basic safe living as a girl and a woman in society.

BUT in our society, we don’t have the right to say “YES” or “NO” !  If we don’t give birth to a son, then we must give birth to more children until a son is born. In my case, I had three daughters and after these three daughters I was very weak. Still, I had to give birth to an additional child and luckily my fourth child was a son. However, my family wanted one more son, and therefore I became pregnant again and gave birth to number five child and luckily, he was also a son.

We also discussed the importance of safe motherhood, which reduces the mortality rate of a child and improves the health of the mother physically as well as mentally. It also provides the proper care to pregnant women and the child. After the birth a proper and balanced diet should be given to pregnant woman so that a baby can get nutritious food for his/her proper body development. And the main thing is that the family environment should be a peaceful environment during pregnancy. Because the outer environment affects the baby in the womb, and it also determines the future of the baby. While discussing, I was recalling the time I gave birth to a girl, and I did not get enough food. Instead, my mother-in-law scolded me every day. Additionally, family members should also have a good role towards a pregnant woman, so that both baby and mother can get proper and sufficient care.  And a pregnant woman should also take care of their own body and health. We also discussed, never feeding milk to the baby, whenever a mother is angry. Because it passes the negative energy from the mother to the baby.

Suddenly, I remembered my past and my habit of caring for my children. My tears just flowed.

I committed myself, so that whatever happens in my life and the tradition,  I will change everything; I will take good care of my daughters-in-law after my sons get married.

February 2024

After reviewing the previous training, today’s session started with the food. Sangeeta (our trainer) asked: what did you eat yesterday for dinner? We were all surprised when she asked about the food, and we laughed and then started to share. After that she asked, what we understand when we hear the word “Nutrition”. We shared and discussed eating meat, fish, and varieties of food.

We never think that we can have nutritious food because we think nutritious food is meat, egg and fish, which are all very expensive. But there are many other local available and affordable nutritious foods, which provide both proteins and minerals. Regarding food, she also discussed cooking style, and Sangeeta informed us that if we don’t cover food while cooking then all nutrients will be diminished.

The next topic was junk food. Especially the children like it and it is very tasty as well. We discussed and agreed that junk food is costly and not nutritious. Therefore, instead of offering junk food, everyone should provide home cooked food.

After that, we were asked to make a seasonal food calendar. And while we were preparing the calendar, we discussed a lot and found that there are varieties of food that are both easily accessible and also affordable.

When the session ended, I was walking home, and I started thinking that from now on when I sell my vegetables, I will tell my customers which vegetables are good for their health.

January 2024

Hello and Namaskar! I hope you are doing well. Here in Tarai, the weather remains misty every day, and the sun is barely visible. Despite the cold weather, there are still lots of mosquitoes in our area.

Before the training session started, our trainer greeted us and began with a review of the previous day’s session, as usual. Following the review, the new session began with a question: When do we start feeling like women? Is there any gender discrimination in your family? Do you have the opportunity to pursue your interests? If you were given Rs. 100.00, how would you like to spend it? Throughout the exercise, all participants openly shared their thoughts and feelings on the central themes of perception and gender discrimination.

After that, our trainer asked us about the proverbs used for women in our community. Everyone seemed so excited to share the proverbs, and laughter filled the air during the exchange.

Proverbs expressed by us:

• Chori mari gaal tari (the daughter is dead and so is infamy)
• Chori cheli gaal ko gund (a daughter is a nest of shame)
• Bhaatko aincho ra swaasniko paincho huidaina. (The swapping of cooked rice and a wife is not done)
• Laage laag mohani nalaage gharmai chha budi. (If romance does not work, there is always the wife at home)
• Ghar khaanu chhorile, desh khaanu chhoraale. (The daughter is for managing the household; the son is for the world.)
• Mahilako Rudra Ghanti Hundaina (women never maintain confidentiality)
• Baabu chhoraa hisaapkitap, aamaa chhori aincho-paincho (Father and son doing the accounts; mother and daughter swapping things.)
• Pothi baaseko suhaudaina. (The crowing of a hen is unbecoming)

Following the collection of these proverbs, discussions were held to anlyze how these expressions mirror the situation of women in our area. “The hen should not crow” means that the decisions of women are not recognized, or the women should not speak. Antother aspects is that the women themselves are accustomed to witnessing our grandmother, mother, elder sister and sister-in-law working. Conversely, if we argue we risk being given various “alias” names. Therefore, to avoid such labeling, we refrain from arguing.

Subsequently, we were posed with the next question: “What immediately comes to mind when you talk about women or men?”

The women were asked, “Can’t the women be courageous, or can’t the men be tolerant and cowardly? In this way, distinctions and discrimination arise between women and men in terms of food, clothes, works, behaviour etc. All these distinctions have been created by our community and they could be altered. This is not a result of the nature; rather, it is a situation created by our community or society, commonly referred to as “gender”.

Therefore, it is crucial to instigate changes in our attitude and behaviors. Until the responsibilities of women in household chores are minimized, and the decisions made by women receive rightful recognition, providing them equal opportunities for education, it will remain challenging to empower women.

I was shocked upon learning about the discrimination which I never realized before. I found myself contemplating how to change this culture. However, the trainer emphasized that change is a gradual process, and it requires commitment to making small, incremental changes. Personally, I have resolved to prioritize the education of both my son and daughter, without favoring one over the other.

December 2023

Our group has a norm of conducting Issue Based Training (IBT) every second week of the month. During these trainings, we learn many practical things. We develop indicators and prioritize them based on our needs and urgency of the issue. Today’s session was focused on sanitation, and after reviewing the last session, the trainer asked us what the word “Sanitation” means. It seems easy but actually not that easy, because there are many things, which we know, but have not implemented. There are typically three levels of sanitation: personal, household, and community. Although we are aware of these levels, we often fail to implement them properly.

During a training session, the trainer asked us to show our hands, and it was discovered that out of 29 women, 21 had long and dirty nails. The trainer then explained to us how these unclean habits could lead to sickness by transferring harmful bacteria to our stomachs. It is small things but very important things. Our trainer then focused on  cleanliness of our whole body and also discussed why it is more important to be clean during menstruation period.

During a role-play activity, we acted as two families – one was clean and healthy, while the other was dirty and unhealthy. This experience helped us understand the importance of cleanliness and hygiene. We realized that being clean not only saves us money but also earns us respect from others. On the other hand, the unclean family had to spend a lot of money on their medical treatment, and people didn’t show them much respect. Overall, the activity was a great way to understand the significance of maintaining cleanliness and hygiene in our lives.

After that, we make our action plan as below:

• Prepare waste box to put all garbage and manage accordingly
• Clean tap stands areas where we take water in the community
• Clean goat shades/cow shades/shops regularly.
• Clean kitchen regularly at least once a week
• Clean utensils everyday
• Clean rooms and beds regularly

Our trainer asked us how we were feeling. I felt good, especially during the role-plays, and committed to cleaning as per our action plan.

October 2023

Today, I want to share my experience and learning about Saving Meetings and business training. Our Saving Meeting takes place every third week of the month. During the training, Sangita taught us how to conduct and attend the meeting. During the Saving Meeting, we actively participate and learn to calculate ourselves. However, due to most of us being illiterate, the task takes longer to complete.

Sangita encourages everyone in the group to boost optional and child savings for easier utilization of group loans. Following the collection and saving meeting, Sangita delved into marketing and stressed the importance of additional businesses. She demonstrated roles of a rude and soft businesswoman during the training, imparting valuable lessons on becoming successful entrepreneurs.

We gained valuable insights on expanding and sustaining our business, leading to an improvement of our overall living standards. Sangita emphasized the importance of expanding our business portfolio by adding new ventures, especially when our existing business is profitable and generating a stable income. It is important to have multiple sources of income to avoid being overly reliant on a single source. This method allows us to diversify income sources and reduce the impact of any unprofitable. As we expand our business portfolio and continue to grow, we can rely on our other sources of income to ensure financial stability.

During a discussion, she emphasized that it is important not to spend sales revenue on personal expenses when running a business. Personal expenses should only be covered by profits generated from the business. If sales revenue is used for personal needs, the business will suffer. In order to maintain a good quality of life, it is necessary to work hard and generate significant profits. She referred to this principle as the Business Entity concept.

These trainings are so effective and learning practical skills is nice. I am so happy that I managed to become a member of the WAWCAS group.

September 2023

Life is becoming easier for me. After completing a 7-day training program, I followed my business plan and opened my own vegetable shop. Despite receiving extensive training, I found it challenging to sell vegetables at first. I would often feel uneasy and nervous when it came to taking action or speaking to customers. However, with practice, it became much easier for me.

Currently, I earn around 500-800 rupees per day from my shop. I run a vegetable shop four days a week, located in two different Hat Bazars. I purchase the vegetables from the wholesale market and sell them to customers. Since I started my own business, my life has become much easier. I am now able to send my children to school regularly, which brings me great joy. To my surprise, my husband has been very supportive of my business and seems much happier. Additionally, he has significantly decreased his alcohol consumption, which is a positive change.

In a short period of time, I have noticed significant changes in my life that I never expected. My husband and I used to argue over small things, and he would often scold and beat me. However, since our trainer started making regular visits and discussing things with him, he has changed for the better. Now, he is much more positive and understanding towards me.

September 2023

There is a festival in the southern part of Nepal, similar to Teej, called Chachuchran. This year I was very excited to participate in the festival. During Chachuchran, women have the responsibility of preparing meals. To ensure that the meals are cooked efficiently and kept hygienic, I have constructed a brand new stove. In addition, women are required to fast for the entire day as part of the festival tradition. This year, I am celebrating the festival with enthusiasm since I have started my own business and can afford to do so without taking any loans.

Chachuchran is a celebration of the worship of Lord Ganesha and the Moon God. It takes place on the fourth day (Chaturthi) of the moons increasing phase (Shukla Paksha) in the Hindu lunar month, the sixth month of the Hindu calendar (Bhadrapada), usually falling in September or August.

The priest set the date for the Chaurchan puja for September 19, 2023. On 18th of September, we were very busy with the cleaning and shopping for the festival. The story behind the festival goes back to to a moment when Lord Ganesha accompanied by his faithful vehicle, the mouse, was once wandering on Kailash. Suddenly, he noticed Chandra Deva (the moon god) laughing at him. Perplexed, Lord Ganesha asked about the reason for his laughter. Chandra Deva explained that he found Lord Ganesha’s appearance amusing.  During this encounter, Lord Ganesha revealed his true form and expressed his displeasure towards Chandra Deva’s continuous ridicule. Consequently, Lord Ganesha cursed Chandra Deva, stating that his previous arrogance about his looks and attractiveness would now mean nothing as he would now appear unattractive henceforth. People would unfairly assume him to be a criminal, even if he had done nothing wrong. Chandra Deva’s pride was shattered upon hearing the accusation. He sincerely repented and begged Lord Ganesha to lift the curse. Touched by Chandra Deva’s genuine remorse, the compassionate Lord Ganesha forgave him. However, the curse could not be entirely lifted, and it was determined that anyone who saw the moon god during Ganesh Chaturthi would suffer its effects. To prevent false accusations, the people of Mithila and Newar communities worship the moon on Ganesh Chaturthi evening.

We prepared rice pudding and other delicious foods for the celebration. My sister-in-law and I fasted and worshipped the moon. We strongly believe that our wishes will be fulfilled if we worship especially on this day. During my puja, I sincerely prayed to God for the well-being, serenity, and joy of our family. After the puja, the whole family gathered together, and we enjoyed a delicious meal.

Thank you.

August 2023

During the 7 Days Training, I would not be able to go for work, and therefore I was very stressful as I had to arrange food for my family for all 7 days.  I had to manage this, and I had been saving since the last three months. But still it was hard to manage this for 7days. But I was trying my best. I also discussed this with my mother-in-law, and she told me not to worry. She would go to work. She is old and I was scared to send her to labor work.

But I am also very happy because I will soon start my own business.

Finally, the day arrived and my mother–in-law went for work and I went for the training.

After a warm welcome, our trainer said that the training would be started by giving an introduction in different ways. I felt excited and nervous. She pasted a piece of paper on the back of all members of the group and she asked us to find another similar piece of paper to pair up with our new friend. While searching my pair, I ran here and there. Everyone was laughing and we had tears in our eyes.

In that moment I remembered my childhood where I used to laugh so fearlessly.

The most interesting part was the exercise about naming a person who inspired us and a person whom you don’t like it. Trainer asked us to think about the reason for the person inspiring us. I was not sure who inspired me, because I have never thought about this. However, I did not think about the person, but I focused on the behaviors I like the most. Everyone expressed behaviors like positive thinking, honesty, trust, open-mindedness, tolerance, encourage people, never make decision in one aspect, commitments, always give good logic, simple, co-operative, listen when others speaks, give respect to everyone.

After our discussion on the inspiring people, the trainer again requested us to think about the person whom we don’t like – and the reason for that. The following points emerged from the exercise:

• Always having negative attitudes
• Show off
• Jealousy
• Backbiting
• Pulling leg
• Not cooperative

The main objective of this exercise was to inspire us so that we can be successful entrepreneurships.

The training was very meaningful. Every day I learn a lot about how to become a good and successful entrepreneur.  Then everyone shared their vision for the future. I said that my vision was that 5 years from now my children will reach 10 grade in school, and from my vegetable shop I will have 150,000 rupees in my saving account in the bank.

Every day I share what I learned from the training with my friends, and they also showed interest to be a part of the WAWCAS Program.

It was amazing how fast the 7 Days Training was completed: The atmosphere was very positive and joyful, and we played a lot of meaningful games which made us energetic and enthusiastic.

July 2023

We agreed to participate in the meeting and decided the time and date. As per schedule, I reached the venue 10 minutes before the meeting started. I saw some are already there but others are on the way. Everyone seemed so excited.

At the meeting, Sangeeta discussed with us the meaning of ultra-poor, poor, medium-poor, and rich. She explained to us the difference between poor and rich. It was not that I was unknown of the concept of rich and poor before, but the way she explained it made it much more clear. We discussed that the person, who doesn’t have access to land and doesn’t have enough money to fulfill basic needs is considered poor. In contrast, the person, who has access to land can afford a comfortable life, and can send their children to big school, and they are considered rich. After the discussion, she gave us a piece of paper where our own name was written. Then she asked us to put the paper with our name on the board according to our economic status.

As discussed, I thought I belonged to the ultra-poor as I don’t have access to land and it’s hard for me to fulfill the basic needs of my family. At first, I felt so awkward to paste my name in ultra-poor. I thought that other women in the group would laugh at me and will make a joke. But all the women present at the meeting were like me. And Sangeeta also said, that the programme of WAWCAS is for women like us. So, I pasted my name in the ultra-poor group. Likewise, other women also paste their names according to their economic status.

After the Economic status ranking, the trainer told us to make a map of the location of our house. I asked her why we should do this. And she replied that it would be much easier to find the direction of our house by seeing the map. It helps to know the way for others also. Otherwise, people might be confused. So, we started to make a map of our locality.

After the completion of the meeting, the trainer asked me about the meeting. I told her, that the meeting was very useful and gave us important knowledge. Before the meeting, I didn’t know that poverty can be categorized into different levels. Now, I know the reason behind being poor. I also know that I fall in ultra-poor group, but I am determined in my heart that I surely will uplift my economic status one day by doing my business properly.

I am Sushila Devi Hajara and I belong to the Dalit community. I am 32 years old, and I have 5 children: three daughters and two sons. In our culture a son is very important and therefore, after three daughters, we waited for our son. Now we have two sons. My husband is working in a brick factory in Kerala India. Due to being deep in poverty, my daughter who is 14 years old is also working as a housemaid in Hetunda.

For me, to become an entrepreneur and start my own business was beyond my imagination. In the beginning, I was reluctant because if we don’t work, we cannot feed our children and ourselves. My husband is in India, but he is not sending money and that’s also making me stressed. My daughter wanted to go to school but must work as a housemaid. We have not contacted her since February 2023.

The trainer told us about the WAWCAS program and its objectives. And she also gave us some examples of women who started business in January/February 2023. Now my thinking has been changed. I did not participate in the Information Sharing Meeting (ISM) but the trainer came to my house to ask why I did not participate in the meeting. Very honestly speaking, before I never thought that the program was for us, and I didn’t know how to manage it. But now I have the courage.

When the trainer left, I took care of my daily work. But my mind was not focused. I am thinking a lot and seeing some women who started the business two months back. They are earning quite well, so I decided to visit them to discuss how they manage and many more aspects.

Dear Readers,

Hi, I am Sangeeta Singh Thakuri and I have worked as a Local Program Leader (LPL) in the WAWCAS Program for almost one year in the Rautahat District. I am writing the blog of Sushila Devi Hajara. I will be writing her blog for 16 months on 16 different topics. After seeing and observing her situation I feel a big responsibility to change her socio–economic situation and I commit myself to change her life.

THANK YOU!

Sangeeta Singh Thakuri

LPL

Rautahat District