Literacy and Livelihoods for 445 Women in Nepal

We would like to share Neera’s story with you. Your contributions made it all possible.

Background

Livelihoods projects were started in seven Tharu women groups in Dang supported by the Language Development Centre and Help Society Nepal, a local Tharu NGO, to improve the socio-economic status of women in Tharu communities.

Neera’s Story

Neera is a member of Sayepatri Women Cooperative. This group of 26 women has been together   for two years. Neera has two daughters and her husband works as a day paid worker in the local market when he can find work. Their income is minimal and some days he finds no paid work.  

Neera has participated in a number of livelihood trainings and along with all her group members started her own business with six goats.  Neera now has 22 goats, last month Neera sold four goats for $360.00.  Another five goats will be ready for sale within 6-7 weeks. She is very happy with her progress and built a new goat shed to expand her goat rearing business. She said that "the project help me to change my thinking, my life style, and increased my self-confidence as well as encouraging all of us to become involved in making our own small business.”

 Wider Impact

• Increased unity among the women group members
• Men are now more likely to involve women in making decisions in the family and community
• Increasing confidence among the women in the community
• Greater awareness of local resources and how to use them
• Many women have developed entrepreneurship skills

Looking Ahead

Other Women Cooperatives also need support and training to start goat rearing and skills to build improved goat sheds. All women cooperatives benefit from visits to other communities to gain new ideas for family based businesses.

Thank you for your continued support to the Tharu communities in Nepal. Please continue to check our website, http://www.ldcnepal.org/ for updates on our progress, and share this link with friends and family.