MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME Copyright Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies (MoICS), Micro Enterprise Development for Poverty Alleviation

First Edition May 2018

All rights are reserved No part of this Anthology of 108 Successful Entrepreneurs in Nepal can be reproduced by any means, transmitted, translated into a machine language without the written permission of the MoICS or UNDP Nepal

Published by Micro Enterprise Development Programme (MEDEP)

Design & print process : TheSquare Design Communication Pvt. Ltd. Jwagal, Kupondole, Lalitpur, Nepal Tel. +977 1 5260 963 / 5531 063 [email protected] www.thesquare.com.np CONTENT

Monetizing entrepreneurship 13

Entrepreneurship to leadership 65

Rising from the rubble 79

Beyond economic empowerment 105

Wider Horizons 137

Taking the leap to small from micro 185 6 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

This compilation of 108 success stories contains prosperity for the whole family. Husbands of women accounts of micro-entrepreneurs supported and entrepreneurs have returned from abroad to help promoted by the Micro-Enterprise Development in their enterprises. Children are getting a good Programme (MEDEP). A majority of micro- education. The family has access to nutritious food. entrepreneurs established by MEDEP support are They have built a new house and have bought land, running their enterprises successfully. Some of them gold and in some cases vehicles. The entrepreneurs have graduated and are now capable of managing have savings in banks and cooperatives and are their businesses independently. providing employment to others like them. Their success has helped them win recognition and The stories documented in this publication have awards from the government and private sectors. highlighted the women entrepreneurs, is evidence Some are also elected representatives of wards, of MEDEP’s approach of supporting women, which is a testament to their social investment especially those who have been marginalized, by through micro-enterprise. providing them training to develop saleable skills. Many of the women share the same stories of being We celebrate the success of all these successful born into poor families. They are barely educated entrepreneurs who have managed to break live under poverty and struggle to make ends meet, the vicious circle of poverty through injustice (Women entrepreneurs get married at a young age and discriminations through entrepreneurship into poor families). Some women entrepreneurs development. We offer our sincere thanks to the are widows, some are single mothers, while some funding agencies, United Nations Development are divorcees. But they also have another thing in Programme (UNDP), Department of Foreign Affairs common, and that is a burning desire to improve and Trade (DFAT) of the Australian Government, and their lives through entrepreneurship and economic the implementing ministry: Ministry of Industry, empowerment. Each story is one that portrays their Commerce and Supplies of the Government struggle, determination, hard work, and ultimately of Nepal. Also, special thanks to all MEDEP staff their success. engaged in writing, editing, compiling and taking photographs of these successful micro- These entrepreneurs have fought long and hard entrepreneurs. battles to gain respect and a sense of identity among their family members and communities. Enjoy the stories. Their success has translated into economic

DR. LAKSHMAN PUN DR. RAMJI PRASAD NEUPANE Chief Technical Advisor National Programme Manager MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP) 7

FOREWORD

For over two decades, UNDP in partnership with focused on poorest among poor, marginalized and the Government of Nepal and with the support the women, resulting in 73 percent of the total from the Governments of Australia, Denmark, beneficiaries being women. New Zealand and United Kingdom haves worked towards the goal of eradicating poverty by helping The programme has also successfully supported the those living below the poverty line to become Government of Nepal to internalize this approach entrepreneurs. The support extended through through Ministry of Industry, Commerce and the Micro-enterprise Development Programme Supply, which has launched the Micro Enterprise (MEDEP) has reached over 131,000 individuals Development through Poverty Alleviation (MEDPA) and has had transformative effect in their lives. within government structures in all 77 districts of A majority of them have become successful and Nepal to make the micro enterprises sustainable empowered entrepreneurs not just providing for beyond the scope of UNDP project. their own families but also employing people on either part-time or fulltime basis. Many have gone UNDP remains committed to supporting Nepal in on to become leaders in their own right: some are achieving all Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) active in the community, some in businesses and by 2030, including through development of micro some even in local and national politics. enterprises.

This collection of 108 stories is a sample of many As MEDEP marks 20 years of tireless work towards successful entrepreneurs and also provides beautiful ending poverty, I would like to congratulate and insight into the journey each of them undertook, thank everyone involved for their hard-work with its hardships and opportunities. and dedication. I hope this compendium of 108 beautiful stories of successful entrepreneurs will Their success is a result of both direct and indirect continue to inspire thousands of others. support that the project has extended. MEDEP has helped to bring about improved policies and reformed institutional frameworks for inclusive RENAUD MEYER growth. The support has been first and foremost Country Director, UNDP Nepal 8 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

FOREWORD

Being successful in any field is much harder than it by creating employment opportunities. This is looks. Those who see successful people from the achieved through rigorous social mobilization, skills outside often do not see the full picture: countless and business trainings, while offering support to hours and days of hard work, at times failure and establish micro-enterprises, creating platforms for having to begin again. Success is a culmination of favourable policies through advocacy and estab- struggle, failure, hard work and overall a dogged lishment of business associations. It is therefore determination. Therefore I am pleased to see this heartening to see the model now being owned and collection of stories of 108 triumphant entrepre- internalized by the Government of Nepal. neurs supported by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) through the Micro The entrepreneurs featured in this anthology are Enterprise Development Programme (MEDEP). role models in their communities who have not only created employment for themselves but also I feel proud that the Australian Government has opportunities for other rural poor, particularly supported thousands of micro-entrepreneurs in women, youth and people from marginalized social Nepal —helping to reduce extreme poverty—in groups. The socio-economic empowerment of partnership with UNDP and the Government these micro-entrepreneurs has meant that a good of Nepal. I would hope that the stories of these number are now elected in leadership positions in micro-entrepreneurs will inspire countless others, the local governments, while others have gone on including individuals and institutions, to support the to develop small and medium sized enterprises. goal of ending poverty and promoting socio-polit- This book presents powerful stories of their journey, ical transformation here and everywhere through which I am sure you all will enjoy reading and feel entrepreneurship development. inspired! Our sincere congratulations and best wish- es to these ever-growing entrepreneurs. The micro-enterprise development (MED) model developed by MEDEP has been widely hailed as an effective tool for supporting those living below the AINSLEY HEMMING poverty line and turning them into micro-entre- Head of Development Cooperation, preneurs—who in turn help thousands of others Australian Embassy, Nepal MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP) 9

FOREWORD

I am pleased to know that Micro-Enterprise important than a successful micro enterprise. Development Programme (MEDEP), a joint initiative The Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies of the Government of Nepal and the United Nations (MoICS) has replicated the micro-enterprise Development Programme (UNDP) is publishing the development model through all local governments anthology of 108 successful micro-entrepreneurs of Nepal to reduce poverty. The Anthology of 108 in Nepal. Successful Entrepreneurs is not only the story of the MEDEP supported entrepreneurs but also a legacy MEDEP’s overarching goal is poverty alleviation documentation of what MEDEP is doing in Nepal to through micro-enterprise development and overcome the underprivileged people from vicious employment generation targeting the excluded poverty cycle. and low income group. MEDEP not only supports the rural people in providing training in enterprise I would like to thank the Department of Foreign creation, but also supports them to become Affairs and Trade (DFAT) of the Australian successful entrepreneurs. I trust the book reflects Government for their continuous support, UNDP for the image of MEDEP beyond the project period. successfully implementing the project since 1998, colleagues from MoICS for their support and MEDEP MEDEP is a poverty alleviation programme using staff for their dedication and hard work. I specially micro-enterprise as one of the instruments of thank MEDEP colleagues involved in writing the economic empowerment of deprived and excluded. stories to make this book happen. MEDEP promotes entrepreneurship culture that leads to sustainable enterprise development. If an entrepreneur fails to run the enterprise profitably then she/he switches over to another enterprise YAM KUMARI KHATIWADA which has more potential than others, until they are Secretary successful. Being a successful entrepreneur is more Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies 10 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

BACKGROUND

The micro Enterprise Development Programme their traditional occupation as an enterprise are in (MEDEP) has played an important role since 1998 course of social transformation. MEDEP’s 19 years in reducing poverty and hunger by increasing of experience have proven that the development the income of poor rural households. This has of entrepreneurial skill and taking up an enterprise Mbeen done by promoting gender equality definitely enhances women’s socio-economic and empowering women and men through status, which ultimately contributes to social micro-entreprise development and economic transformation. empowerment. Since then, Australian Aid, DFAT/ Australian Government has been providing A total of 389 micro-entrepreneurs have financial and technical support to implement participated and triumphed in the local-level MEDEP through UNDP. In recognition of the success elections, of which 75% are women and 38% and positive impacts of the Micro-Enterprise from the Dalit community, which is a significant Development (MED) model in alleviating poverty, achievement for MEDEP. The MED model has been the government has internalized the model since tested and is able to transform power relations and 2008/09 into its own Micro Enterprise Development empower both men and women. MEDEP supported for Poverty Alleviation (MEDPA) Programme, with women micro-enterpreneurs have been able to the Ministry of Industry taking up the role of develop self-confidence regarding their status and implementing agency in all 77 districts of Nepal role in their families communities. through 753 local governments. Mobility, economic security, ability to make As of December 2017, a total of 130,692 micro- purchases with their own hard earned money entrepreneurs had been created through MEDEP/ are some of the key indicators of women’s MEDPA. Among them, 72% are women, 25% empowerment. Similarly, involvement in major belong to the Dalit community, and 40% are decisions, relative freedom from domination and people of indigenous nationalities. MEDEP is not violence within the family, political and legal only promoting entreprise development but also awareness, and participation in public protest and upholding gender and social inclusion in Nepal. political campaigning are the other indicators of Women, Dalits and indigenous nationalities women’s empowerment. The book is a garland of occupied 61%, 21% and 45% respectively of 108 successful entrepreneurs, who have bloomed decision-making positions (such as President, in different parts of the country with the support of Secretary and Treasurer) in District Micro MEDEP. Entrepreneur Groups Associations (DMEGAs) in 51 districts. Those entrepreneurs who developed MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP) 11 12 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP) MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP) 13 Monetizing entrepreneurship

Cultivating change Small is good Passing on her skills A sense of identity Strawberry fields forever Self-reliance, stitch by stitch A class apart The invention of wings Allo opens doors Opportunities galore Good for the soul Sweet returns Never give up Pride and persistence Tapping the mushroom market An apple a day Season of prosperity Made by MEDEP A taste of entrepreneurial success A hot community Cutting through social expectations Breeding Hopes Hand-made happiness Entrepreneurship as a lifeline 1. A stitch in time 14 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Ashmita Tamang “From a small patch of land, Ashmita has expanded Okhle, Kakani, Nuwakot her business to a large plot, and has added off - season vegetable farming to her enterprise”.” MONETIZING ENTREPRENEURSHIP 15

Cultivating change

Ashmita Tamang from Okhle, Kakani in Nuwakot is living proof that economic empowerment gives women the freedom and power to make informed choices to improve their family’s prospects. Her three daughters and husband enjoy a good and comfortable life, thanks to the choices Ashmita made almost 12 years ago.

SHE WAS identified as a When things did not work out says Ashmita. The combined prospective micro entrepreneur with the other members, she income of the two has provided a and selected for a Start and and her husband opted to leave. comfortable home for their three Improve Your Business (SIYB) “We left with nothing,” she says. daughters who go to boarding training program by MEDEP. A They had no utensils, no warm schools, something of a symbol whole new world opened up to clothes, not even a proper home. of prosperity in her community. Ashmita at this point. She realized They lived in a bamboo and straw She has made some good her potential and was motivated hut and worked as labourers investments with the money she to start an enterprise right away. for daily wages. Now she makes earns. “I have a savings account She chose to cultivate strawberries NPR 300,000 to 400,000 annually. and have bought shares in three and took an intensive five-day From a small patch of land, she cooperatives,” Ashmita explains. training to learn more about has expanded her business to a strawberry farming. Meeting this larger plot. She has added off- Ashmita is among the graduates motivated and successful woman, season vegetable farming to her of MEDEP’s micro-entrepreneur it is difficult to imagine the difficult enterprise, which is yielding good program, who have been times she had to go through. “We results. “I am thinking of cultivating successful in establishing their were barely surviving”, she recalls. mushrooms also,” she says. own micro enterprises. The micro- enterprise program has had a Ashmita, 31, got married at a Ashmita’s husband works as a significant impact on the lives of young age and went to live with mason. “I encouraged him to the women and their families. her husband in a joint family. take up construction work”, 16 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Bishnu Maya Limbu “She gives credit to MEDEP for her success. Tehrathum She says she got “lucky“ the day she heard about MEDEP and the skills training the programme provided.” MONETIZING ENTREPRENEURSHIP 17

Small is good

Bishnu Maya Limbu, 37, is a micro enterpreneur from Laligurans municipality in Tehrathum district. A recipient of skill development training from MEDEP, in 2014, she was able to start a successful dairy enterprise.

BISHNU MAYA LIMBU learned never want to experience extreme to make ghee, sweets and poverty again.” Bishnu Maya is an She gives credit to MEDEP for chhurpi on a commercial basis example to other women like her her success. She says she got in a seven-day training held in who had given up hope of ever “lucky“ the day she heard about Ilam. From 200 litres of milk that rising out of poverty. Till 2010, MEDEP and the skills training the she buys from local farmers, she Bishnu Maya had also thought programme provided. Besides produces various products and the same. She considered herself supporting her to start her has expanded her business to to be a simple housewife with no enterprise, MEDEP helped her make a comfortable life for her saleable skills. Especially after her to get a food license to make it family. Bishnu Maya, who is also husband returned home from easy for her to sell her products the chairperson of the Srijansil abroad and all his savings were on a larger scale. Bishnu Maya Micro Entrepreneurs Group (MEG), depleted, she had felt helpless. has also transferred her skills to provides employment to three But hard work and perseverance her children who are helping her people and pays each of them Rs. has seen her expand her clientele meet the high demands from her 4000 per month. from Tehrathum to Ilam and even clients. Though her business is still to Kathmandu. Traders come to run on a small scale, she is happy She recalls her early struggle when her home to buy her products with it. “Small is good”, she says. she started out,“I started small and sell these in the capital city. and never imagined my business Bishnu Maya cannot contain would be so successful. I am very her happiness as she shares this happy but I have to do more. I information. 18 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Bishnu Rokka “Encouraged by its success, I was motivated to invest Tarakhola, Baglung in other pursuits and hence opened a cloth-weaving training center. ” MONETIZING ENTREPRENEURSHIP 19

Passing on her skills

Bishnu Rokka, 40, of Tarakhola, Baglung is active on Facebook. “I discovered it is good for business,” she laughs. She owns a successful allo yarn processing center in her hometown. She says, “ My product covers a large market area from Baglung to Butwal.”

“ENCOURAGED BY its success, life was challenging to manage. at me with respect,” she shares. I was motivated to invest in other She was desolate and desperate Bishnu continued to receive pursuits and hence opened a for respite. training as graduation support. cloth-weaving training center.” She also got a handloom from She enjoys training other people Fortunately, as part of efforts MEDEP in 2012. When a Common and passing on her skills to others. targeted at members of Facility Center (CFC) was built in Many government offices and indigenous group by the Micro her community with support from NGOs have mobilized her as a Enterprise Development Program the Swarnim Micro Entrepreneurs resource person for their training (MEDEP), she was offered Group (MEG) and MEDEP in 2014, programs. enterprise development and allo she was an active member. yarn processing training. She also To Bishnu, who was born into received technological support in Her life has changed drastically, a poor Magar family, the life 2009. This training gave her new and she is able to take good care she lives now would have been hope. “I started to believe that I of her husband and her step son. unimaginable back then. Her too can have a comfortable life. I Bishnu says, “I am very thankful to family was poor; there was not too can enjoy the good things in MEDEP which led me to this path much at home. She could not go life.” That is exactly what happened of success at a time when I was to school and was quickly married when her enterprise started to financially vulnerable and socially off to an older man who already thrive. “The very people who marginalized.” had a son from his first wife. Daily hardly spoke to me before looked 20 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Chukki Mahatara “Chukhi is happy with where she is today, Patarasi, Jumla and says she will “never forget how MEDEP helped her gain a sense of identity”.” MONETIZING ENTREPRENEURSHIP 21

A sense of identity

Chukki Mahatara of Patarasi in Jumla, who is 55 years old, did not know farming could be a profitable enterprise. “We grew vegetables and grain to feed our family. That was it,” he says. “Today she is an award-winning farmer, recognized and felicitated by the National Agricultural Research Council in 2016. “The Minister for Agriculture provided me a cash prize of NRS 5,000,” she says proudly.

AFTER YEARS of struggling, she started using all her land for daughter in a poor household, I chukki’s life had transformed in growing carrot seeds and seasonal could not continue my studies 2016 when Rural Situation Nepal and off-seasonal vegetables. Two after fifth grade,” she says. “I was (Gramin Paribesh Nepal) staff years ago, she was given irrigation married at the age of 16 but organized a MEDEP training on water pipes from the District my first husband passed away entrepreneurship development Micro Entrepreneurs Groups in two years. I was alone and known as Start and Improve Association (DMEGA), Jumla. As scared.” Later, she got married Your Business (SIYB) in her area. Chukki’s enterprise grew, she for a second time, but then lost After the training, she received started selling carrot seeds to her first child. “I thought I would technical skill development a local business, the Himalayan never recover from this loss.” Now, training on carrot seed production Cooperative. Now she sells to chukki has a daughter and two and vegetable farming. She also bigger business houses like the sons, one studying for his MBBS received technology support Chaudhary Group, and exports to and the other studying pharmacy and counseling and started Bangladesh, with the help of the in Kathmandu. commercial farming. In her first DMEGA. Her seeds are recognized attempt, chukki made a profit as high quality and pure. Chukki is happy with where she of NRS 40,000 by growing carrot is today, and says she will “never seeds in a small plot of her land. Chukki never imagined she would forget how MEDEP helped her But seeing how profitable it was, reach this position. “As the eldest gain a sense of identity.” 22 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Dhana Maya Tamang “I really appreciate MEDEP’s policy Kakani, Nuwakot of supporting micro-entrepreneurs consistently, not just at the beginning.” MONETIZING ENTREPRENEURSHIP 23

Strawberry fields forever

Nuwakot is well-known for its strawberry fields. MEDEP is one of the major promoters of this enterprise, geared particularly at encouraging low-income families to grow the high-value crop and improve their livelihoods. Dhana Maya Tamang, 33, from Kakani, Nuwakot, is one such entrepreneur for whom it has proven a real life-saver.

DHANA MAYA had lost her was the best decision I ever made.” policy of supporting micro- husband seven years ago. “I was She enrolled in a week-long skill entrepreneurs consistently not shattered and did not know what development training and opted just at the beginning,” she says. to do. I had three small children to to learn strawberry farming and The enterprise has given her care for,” she says. She and her kids processing like her friends and much-needed exposure as she lived in a temporary shelter made neighbours. When she first started, deals with buyers. “This enterprise of bamboo and straw back then. she did not make a good profit, has saved me. It not only provides She was bogged down with loans but nowadays she makes as much me financial security but also with no way to pay them back. as NRS 150,000 annually. This learning opportunities.” Like many The small piece of land she owned allows her to have a comfortable farmers around her, Dhana Maya hardly yielded anything. She grew lifestyle and meet small expenses. has also taken up off-season rice there, barely enough to feed Her biggest priority was sending vegetable farming to add to her her family. She was at her wit’s end her children to good schools, income. She is also an executive trying to keep her head above which she has accomplished. member of two cooperatives and water. has investments in four more. “I Dhana Maya keeps herself am involved in a profession I love, In 2011, Dhana Maya heard of updated by taking various am financially secure, my children MEDEP through some friends. refresher and advanced trainings are happy and healthy, what more They encouraged her to go and that MEDEP offers from time to could I ask for?” meet the staff. She did and says, “It time. “I really appreciate MEDEP’s 24 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Dhani Mahatara “I had to ask my husband for money Swargadwari municipality, Pyuthan for personal expenses, which was very awkward for me.” MONETIZING ENTREPRENEURSHIP 25

Self- reliance, stitch by stitch

Dhani Mahatara, a 27-year-old resident of Swargadwari municipality, Pyuthan, is concentrating hard on a piece of cloth she is holding in place with a wooden ring. She is weaving colorful threads into a design etched on the piece. “It is a sari for my neighbor,” she explains.

DHANI MAHATARA runs a very Instead of going to school, she activities in her village, she popular embroidery enterprise had to support her family in requested to participate but her from home, which she started the household work. When she family initially did not give her after receiving a 45-day advanced was 17, her family in the she get permission. She had to work hard skill development training from married. Life was no different to convince them, but finally they MEDEP. Her neighbors and people in her husband’s house either. relented and she became a part of in the village bring her kurthas, Dhani’s husband worked in India the training program. blouses and saris for embroidery. to sustain his family of nine. Her work has become so popular The family worked as farmers Dhani is very thankful to MEDEP that she is thinking of expanding to provide for their basic needs. for the support and training. She her business. “We have already Dhani says, “I had to ask my says the first training she took discussed some terms with a husband for money for personal for eight day was very effective. bigger store to display some of expenses, which was awkward MEDEP also provided her basic my work on a buy-back guarantee for me. I was thinking of ways materials and technology to start basis,” she says. to earn some cash so I could do her enterprise. Whats more her something and not rely on my family is very supportive of her Due to the poor economic state husband so much.” When she enterprise today and help her out of her family, her education heard about MEDEP and its efforts as much as they can. had been limited to grade five. to promote income-generating 26 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Ganga Bitalu “Financial serurity has given her the freedom Kanksundari, Jumla to live life on her own terms, and she thanks MEDEP for providing her the opportunity to experience that.” MONETIZING ENTREPRENEURSHIP 27

A class apart

From the time she took part in MEDEP’s skill development training, Ganga Bitalu, 36, of Kanksundari, Jumla had showed an aptitude for business. She learned the intricacies of knitting woolen bags faster, better and with more dedication than the other members in her group.

GANGA’S CURIOSITY means Ganga, who is 35 years old, feels all the time, I had to take care of she would often practice the “independent and happy that I everything”. Financial security has art beyond training hours. “I can now provide for my children’s given her the freedom to live life really enjoyed knitting the bags. education. Things are a lot better on her own terms and she thanks I helped the others whenever I as I have access to things that MEDEP for providing her the could,” she says. When given the I could not afford before. My opportunity to experience that. chance to gain additional skills, husband, who works in India to she took further training for three supplement the family’s income, months. Jumla gets very cold in is also pleased with my work and winter and the clothing market says he will help me find new can get very competitive. So markets for my products.” she had to devise clever ways to market her products, which her Acquiring a new skill and making trainings in marketing. This has a living out of it is a dream come helped sell her products proved true for Ganga, who had a very helpful in. MEDEP also supported different and difficult life just a her by providing her hand looms, few years ago. “I thought taking which enabled her to work from care of my family and working in home. the house would be my whole life. As my husband was gone 28 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Ganga Chauhan “Back in the day, people used to hesitate to Surkhet give her loans, but now Ganga finds people asking her for loans.” MONETIZING ENTREPRENEURSHIP 29

The invention of wings

31 years ago, Ganga Chauhan was born into an economically downtrodden family. she was deprived of education and married at a young age to a boy from an equally poor family. She had to work on daily-wage basis and her husband used to go to India for work. It was still difficult to meet their basic necessities and provide education to their children.

IN 2014, she was one of a farming and referred her name to Ganga finds people asking for group of women who got the other organizations to help her loans. opportunity to participate in the sharpen her skills in the enterprise seven-day skills development of her choice. She has addditionally been training on enterprise. She learned working as a Chairperson of the here that the market for enterprise Soon Ganga’s husband came Shrijansheel Mirco Enterprise doesn’t necessarily always have to back from India permanently group. be urban, it can also be rural. and started helping her with her poultry enterprise. Ganga has learnt that hard When she studied the demands work and willingness can of her rural community, she Ganga had started with five put anyone on the path of realized that people were walking chickens and now she has 200 success. Her children have been for two hours to buy meat. That fowls. She has managed to earn receiving good education just motivated her to start with poultry Rs. 150,000 (US $ 1500) this year. two years following enterprise farming. MEDEP helped her to Back in the day, people used to establishment. get advanced training on poultry hesitate to give her loans but now 30 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Indra Kunwar “Indra is a certified trainer in allo-processing Darchula and recognized for her skills and dedication towards work .” MONETIZING ENTREPRENEURSHIP 31

Allo opens doors

Indra Kunwar from Byas rural municipality in Dhangadi is an energetic 45-year-old micro entrepreneur blessed with an insatiable curiosity and willingness to learn more. Indra has an allo (himalayan Nettle) plantation, from which she produces the allo fiber.

SHE DOES this through the allo’s utility, she worked in her was over, MEDEP provided the Siddheshwari Micro Enterprise own small piece of farm but the participants with spinning wheels. Group, of which she is the volume of production was not This inspired indra to take up chairperson. The group of 24 enough. She also tried working on the trade on a commercial basis. women make Rs 800 per kg other people’s farms and received “Finally I found my area of focus,” for fiber. It is the sole source of payment in grains after the she says. Indra has helped build income for Indra’s family of 10. harvest, which she did a not feel the Common Facility Center (CFC), “My family supports my business was worth her while. Her family which was constructed for Rs. wholeheartedly,” says Indra, who considered picking the yarsa herb, 275,000. Her record-keeping skills regularly travels to various places but that idea was also dropped during the project’s construction to share her knowledge and learn as it was considered a dangerous and transparency of its account new technologies related to all. task. She also took up quilting in set an example amongst her her quest to earn a decent living. peers. Indra has been familiar with the allo plant all her life. She used Indra was still confused about Indra is a certified trainer in allo to harvest allo stems and make what do when in 2007, she, processing and recognized for fiber for household use. “I was along with 14 other women, took her skills and dedication towards totally unaware that allo fiber part in a MEDEP-conducted skill work. She is very proud of her could be a source of money,” development training on allo successes in entrepreneurship for she says. Before she discovered processing. After the training which she gives credit to MEDEP. 32 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Laxmi Tamang “In the seven-day training. Laxmi learned Dharapani, Ramechhap various leadership and bussiness tecniques to run a successful enterprise in pig farming.” MONETIZING ENTREPRENEURSHIP 33

Opportunities golare

Laxmi Tamang of Dharapani in Ramechhap district strongly believes there is no need to go abroad for employment. There are several opportunities in Nepal, one only has to look and work hard.

THIS WAS not her belief four Just when they started setting micro-entrepreneurs affected by years ago. Back then she was tired up their pig farm, however, the the earthquake. Since then her of being poor. “My family went earthquake of April 2015 struck. business has been flourishing. She through difficult times due to The Common Facility Center (CFC) sells the meat in the local market poverty. We did not have enough that MEDEP had constructed to and makes NRS 50,000 annually. food. I was struggling to send my meet the increasing demand of From that she saves NRS 500 every children to school,” says Laxmi, space for micro-entrepreneurs month. This has enabled her to who has studied up to grade 10 was demolished. Laxmi’s support her family and provide herself. Four years ago in 2014, she dreams turned to rubble. “I quality education to her children. got an opportunity to join a skill was devastated, but there was development training provided by nothing I could do,” she says. “I She is happy that she chose this MEDEP. In the seven-day training, turned to my family and friends enterprise because she says, Laxmi learned various leadership for support. All of us were in a “the demand is increasing.” She is and business techniques to run similar situation.” But soon, the grateful to MEDEP for choosing a successful enterprise in pig building was reconstructed her for their training and support farming. Thirteen other women through the Rapid Enterprise and for providing her with joined her for the same training. and Livelihood Recovery Project necessary skills. “I hope they will (RELRP), another UNDP project on continue to give refresher courses quick impact, which supported in the future also,” is her wish. 34 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Lila Pun “I have to increase investment gradually and Dandathok, Myagdi search for more opportunities. I am planning to increase the floor space of my enterprise and hire more people.” MONETIZING ENTREPRENEURSHIP 35

Good for the Soul

Lila Pun, a resident of Dandathok, Myagdi feels extremely proud and lucky that she gets to run her dhaka business with her daughter, whom she trained herself. The business, established with MEDEP’s technical support in 2006, helped change her economic status earning her a monthly profit of NRS 25,000 to 30,000. Besides running the enterprise, she also works as a trainer transferring her skills to others who want to learn.

LILA HOPES to expand her her husband’s income, but did funded Jyamrukot Community business soon and says, “I have to not know how. As the eldest of Facility Center (CFC). As a member, raise investment gradually and three children, she had spent her I helped to develop the business,” search for more opportunities. I childhood caring for her siblings she says. This turned the group am planning to increase the floor and was unable to complete into a successful dhaka micro- space of my enterprise and hire school or vocational training. As a entreprise. During this time, she more people”. result, she had no confidence and also became the chairperson was shy. of the Myagdi District Micro- Lila and her husband had Entrepreneurs Groups Association. problems providing for their three In 2006, she was selected to children prior to her involvement participate in training programs Lila feels she now has a “special in MEDEP. Her husband’s salary organized by MEDEP and did the identity as a successful dhaka was just enough to cover their Start and Improve Your Business entrepreneur, which has given housing needs, food and school (SIYB) training along with a her recognition. My business is fees for the children. “We had dhaka-weaving training. “When my soul”. She is grateful to MEDEP no money for emergencies. I graduated, I started a group for supporting her to develop her And that is a must if you have enterprise, the Namuna Dhaka career and learn to lead. small children,” she reasons. She Production Micro-Enterprise wanted to work to supplement Group with the help of the MEDEP 36 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Maya Devi Bhandari “As part of skills training in the program, Bansgadhi, Bardia I chose bee-keeping, which ended up changing my life forever.” MONETIZING ENTREPRENEURSHIP 37

Sweet returns

Maya Devi Bhandari, 47, of Bansgadhi, Bardia has 20 beehives that produce between 100 to 150 kgs of honey every year. She had started with just one beehive seven years ago in 2011. “I have managed to expand my enterprise considerably,” she says, explaining that success has brought with it additional opportunities. One of these opportunities is in the form of leadership in the Sneha Honey Micro Entrepreneurs Group, where she serves as a Secretary.

MAYA DEVI’S family moved to Finally, she got some respite in the a hospital in Banke. She plans to Nepal from Assam in India when form of a Start and Improve Your ask him to come home to Bardiya she was just 12 years old. She Business (SIYB) training, provided and help in her business. Her got married and soon became by MEDEP in 2011. “As part of daughters are fully involved in a mother to three girls, one of skills training in the program, I business. whom was born with a disability. chose bee-keeping, which ended Life was hard for her and her up changing my life forever,” she “This is not just my enterprise, it family. Though she was educated, recounts. Honey being a lucrative has become a family business. I jobs were hard to come by. She product with a high demand, want to be known as a leading could not leave the house due to she sold it for NRS 500 per kilo. entrepreneur of bee-keeping in her small daughters. Finally, her With these earning she could this area”. She appreciates the fact husband decided to go to India finally support her family, thereby that MEDEP helped her identify for work. But things remained the increasing her self-confidence. Her a suitable skill and encouraged same at home, with the added last annual earning amounted to her to build on that. She firmly burden on Maya to look after her NRS 75,000 believes that women need to be children and manage the house financially secure and MEDEP’s singlehandedly. Maya devi’s husband is now back initiative to meet that goal is in Nepal and works as a guard in commendable. 38 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Mina Angdambe Limbu “Mina took up the complete package of the Letang, Morang micro-enterprise traning that included training of Potential Entrepreneurs, Training of Starting Entrepreneurs, financial linkage, appropriate technology and marketing trainings.” MONETIZING ENTREPRENEURSHIP 39

Never give up

Mina Angdambe Limbu, 30, knew only poverty during her childhood and half of her adult life. Her parents did not have much to spare. Whatever little they had, had to be shared between eight siblings. So she learned to live without a lot of things, education being one of them. She was married off at the age of 18 to Ghanendra Limbu who came from an equally big family with limited resources. This prompted the newly-migrate from Tehrathum in the hills to Letang in Morang.

CONTRARY TO their to know of MEDPA and joined other machines, and employed expectations, moving to Letang their skill development training. two more people. Mina works did not improve their financial She took up the complete from home in the mornings and situation. “We were still struggling. package of the micro-enterprise evenings, and comes to the CFC This is when I decided to take training that included Training during the day to work with other up weaving dhaka.” She joined of Potential Entrepreneurs women who use the space to a community of women who (TOPE), Training of Starting run their own enterprises. She worked in a neighbor’s weaving Entrepreneurs (TOSE), financial makes enough money to pay center. “The money I made was linkage, appropriate technology her employees, send her sons to barely enough for the two of us. and marketing trainings. Mina a boarding school, manage her Then I gave birth to two boys, then bought two dhaka weaving household expenses and set aside and the fund were stretched even machines, hired staff and started some saving for a rainy day. She more,” she recounts. Her husband her enterprise. Within one year she has also purchased a piece of land eventually went overseas for work, made NRS 15,000. She also got an and dreams of building a house. but the money he sent was not opportunity to use the Common According to her, all the credit for enough for their growing needs. Facility Center (CFC) supported by her success goes to MEDPA. At this point in her life, she came MEDPA. There, she installed three 40 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Mohima Tamang “I am more positive and encourage women Lamagaun, Kavrepalanchok in my community to start their own business. There is nothing more rewarding than being able to make own decisions.” MONETIZING ENTREPRENEURSHIP 41

Pride and persistence

Mohima Tamang from Lamagaun in Kavrepalanchok district was born to a large family. “I have seven siblings,” she says. To supplement the household income, she learned to weave carpets with her brother while very young. This skill proved to be useful after her marriage, when she worked at a carpet factory in Bhaktapur. But her quality of life was slipping. “My husband spent all the money I made buying alcohol,” she says.

THE FAMILY moved to panauti, devastating earthquake of 2015 expanded my repertoire to include and mohima started weaving struck. Her house was damaged photo frames, decoration items,” carpets again, but didn’t get paid. and her business greatly affected. she says proudly. Her whole family “After going through all that, I At this time, she came into is involved in her business today. felt the need to start my own contact with Rapid Enterprise Economic empowerment has enterprise rather than depending and Livelihood Recovery Project changed Mohima’s outlook on others,” she says. And so, (RELRP) geared to support towards life. “I am more positive Mohima started a broom-making micro-entrepreneurs formed by and encourage women in my enterprise, which she ran for two MEDEP. She received psychosocial community to start their own years. By this time her husband, counseling to recover from business. There is nothing more who had gone to Malaysia, the earthquake-induced stress rewarding than being able to returned when the company and start her business afresh. make my own decisions.” She had shut down. Now she had the She also received additional gives credit to MEDEP and added burden of paying off his skill development training on RELRP for supporting her in her loans too. bamboo products. “This helped hour of need. “Without their me run my enterprise in a more encouragement and support I Mohima had just started a new organized manner. I developed would still be struggling,” says bamboo business, making racks good linkages, and my products Mohima. and other products, when the are more widely distributed. I have 42 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Muna Subedi “Mushroom farming is the main source Chandrapur Nagarpalika, Rautahat of income for my family. It pays for a lot things, including my children’s education.” MONETIZING ENTREPRENEURSHIP 43

Tapping the mushroom market

Five years ago, Muna Subedi from Chandrapur Nagarpalika in Rautahat got a chance to take part in a seven-day skill development training organized by MEDEP in 2013. The training came as a blessing to her as poverty and unemployment were taking a hard toll on her family, since the food grown in her farm was not enough to sustain them.

MUNA WAS planning to send In the beginning, her family she doesn’t have to rely on the her husband abroad for work, did not support her, but as she sun during winter and monsoons. while she herself wanted to became successful, they are Muna now makes around NRS go to Kathmandu and look for helping her out and are now fully 25 to 30,000 per month from employment there. involved in the enterprise. In fact, mushroom farming. Seeing her she says, “mushroom farming success, others in her community The seven-day skill development is the main source of income have also started their own training is a part of MEDEP’s for my family. It pays for a lot of mushroom farms. strategy for the economic things, including my children’s empowerment of women by education.” The enterprise keeps Muna gives credit to MEDEP providing them necessary them busy as Muna has added off- for bringing her out of poverty. skills to start their own micro- seasonal vegetable farming to her “I would not have been able enterprise. Muna chose to learn repertoire. She has found a good to succeed if MEDEP had not the technicalities of mushroom market for both her products provided me the training. it farming. “I had analyzed the locally. MEDEP also supported her gave me the confidence to start market and knew they were in to purchase a solar drier, which my own business and become demand,” she recalls. The first year she uses to “treat” the off seasonal financially secure,” she says. She itself saw her making a profit of vegetables to meet the demand in hopes that more other women NRS 10,000. the market. The machine helps in too can benefit from such drying the mushrooms faster and schemes. 44 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Pabitra Neupane “MEDEP provided pabitra and other women Patarasi, Jumla in her group the right guidance, training and opportunity to do something in life.” MONETIZING ENTREPRENEURSHIP 45

An apple a day

Pabitra Neupane is building a life processing apples in Patarasi, Jumla. She says proudly, “I had no clue that a home-based enterprise could be an option. Apple processing has made me capable of supporting my husband and family.”

PABITRA, WHO is 39 years old, Her life started changing for necessary equipment required sells around 90 kgs of apples a the better in 2007 when she for processing apples. After week, making a profit of NRS 60 got a subsidy from the District completion of the training, she per kilo. She earns about NRS Agricultural Development Office along with other participants 20,000 per month, which she (DADO), for apple farming. “I started an apple farming and has invested in her children’s bought and planted 150 apple processing enterprise. Pabitra education among other things. trees in my garden. But I had no bought more machines by herself idea about harvesting, storage and when she realized the growing The youngest of six children, processing apples to make them demand for apples and its by- Pabitra was married at a very into jams and jellies. I had to store products. “The machine we had young age. Soon after marriage, the excess apples underground. was not enough to meet the she became a mother of three. Most ended up rotting.” demand,” she explains. Because of financial difficulties, they were unable to provide Then, in 2013, MEDEP selected Pabitra says that MEDEP provided nutritious food, good education Pabitra as one of the participants her and other women in her and healthcare to their children. in their seven-day business group the right guidance, training This created tension with her awareness training. MEDEP also and opportunity to do something husband, constant fights and held a five-day session on apple in life and raise their standard of arguments. She had to borrow production, which she actively living. “Without that, I would still money from friends, neighbors participated in. During the be poor and fighting with my and relatives to make ends meet. training, MEDEP also provided the husband,” she laughs. 46 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Pramila Buda “Pramila’s future plans include expanding Patarasi, Jumla her farming activities to utilize her six ropanis of land, building a water tank for the entire village, and also to start fish farming.” MONETIZING ENTREPRENEURSHIP 47

Season of prosperity

Pramila Buda, 28, from Patarasi, Jumla, is part of the the Milan Vegetable Entrepreneur’s Group. She says she feels privileged to have been elected the secretary of the group, adding, “I can now financially support my family through this business. My network has also grown and I have gained social status and recognition in my village. I am very happy that my husband has also started helping me instead of wasting his time playing cards.”

COMING FROM a poverty- Applying the technologies she of their expenses and income. stricken background, Pramila learned through the training, “We have developed a good had always been determined to Pramila was able to produce five system of tracking the progress improve her financial state, but quintals of tomatoes from two of our business,” she says proudly. this was not possible through kilo. She sells her tomatoes for NRS Pramila’s future plans include traditional farming. MEDEP, 40-60 per kilo, which enables her expanding her farming activities however, turned that dream into to earn an income of NRS 15,000 to utilize her six ropanis of land. a reality when they organized per month. In the future, she She also dreams of building a a seven-day training and hopes to produce 1,700 kilos of water tank for the entire village development session for the Milan tomatoes. Besides tomatoes, she for irrigation, and also start fish Vegetable Entrepreneur Group in also grows and sells cauliflower, farming. 2015. She, along with10 others, cabbage, eggplant, radish and participated in the program cucumber, earning a profit of She strongly believes her aimed at both seasonal and off NRS 10,000 monthly, a welcome success is due to the support seasonal vegetable farming. addition to her income. and guidance she received from Additional training was provided MEDEP. on using plastic tunnels. After the She and the others involved in completion of the training, the this enterprise have set up a participants were given plastic savings scheme and set aside tunnel, seeds and other necessary up to NRS 200 every month. resources by MEDEP. The group maintains a record 48 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Prem Kumari Shrestha “I can afford to have luxuries like television, Mithila Bengadabar, Dhanusha motorcycle, and a cycle, all of which I bought with my own earnings.” MONETIZING ENTREPRENEURSHIP 49

Made by MEDEP

Prem Kumari Shrestha of Mithila Bengadabar in Dhanusha district doesn’t like dwelling on her past. “It brings tears to my eyes,” she says. “I only want to focus on the good things.” In 2000, MEDEP had give her a new lease on life, lifting her out of poverty and despair.

PREM KUMANI was selected from which she invested NRS were days when I couldn’t feed for the Training of Prospective 4,000 in rearing goats and NRS them properly,” she recalls. Those Entrepreneurs (TOPE), and 2,000 in poultry. days are well in the past now. Her Trainingof Starting Entrepreneurs monthly transactions reach up to (TOSE). Prem kumani selected As Prem Kumari started selling NRS 200,000 from which she saves dhaka weaving as her chosen chickens to hotels on the highway NRS 25,000. She even gives loans enterprise, but had to abandon near her home, her business to her Micro Entrepreneurs’ Group it as, “I could not get loans and I picked up. Soon her husband and (MEG) when they need it. could not find raw material.” She other family members started was, however, encouraged by helping her. In 2002, she took Prem Kumari has emerged as a MEDEP to invest in a different another loan to open a teashop leader in her community. People enterprise, and this time she in her house. Both her businesses look up to her and seek her advice. chose goat-rearing and small- are doing well, so much that she She was a member of the former scale poultry farming. MEDEP has managed to build another Ward Citizens’ Forum and hopes helped her get a loan from the house. “I can now afford to have to get involved in social service to Agricultural Development Bank luxuries like television, motorcycle, help disadvantaged women. She (ADB). “I deposited my citizenship and a cycle, all of which I bought proudly claims, “I am a made by certificate as collateral as I did not with my own earnings,” she says MEDEP entrepreneur!” have any other asset,” she recalls. proudly. Her children are also She initially borrowed NRS 6,000 getting a good education. “There 50 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Samati Rai “Today samati’s market is no longer comfined to Biratnagar local shops, she sells her products in Tarahara, Itahari and Dharan.” MONETIZING ENTREPRENEURSHIP 51

A taste of enterpreneurial success

Samati Rai’s fits the typical profile of micro entrepreneurs who benefit from MEDEP’s business interventions. She belongs to a poor family and was struggling to make ends meet. Her husband was jobless, her children’s future did not look bright as she had no money to educate them. Samati was looking for opportunities to earn to provide basic necessities for her family.

SHE GOT a chance in 2002 when help her register her enterprise in the money she earns. “I save NRS she came in contact with MEDEP the Cottage and Small Industries 5,000 every month in the Micro and joined the training programs Office (CSIO) and get a food Entrepreneurs Group (MEG) and it offered. “I went through a license from the Department of other cooperatives,” she says. She rigorous process of screening Food Technology and Quality also invested NRS 160,000 to build as a potential entrepreneur. Control (DFTQC), Biratnagar. a house. She sends her sons to First I started with the Training a reputed boarding school, and of Potential Entrepreneurs Her products are of good quality has additionally become a trainer (TOPE) and Training of Starting and have become popular. Her for MEDEP programs as well as Entrepreneurs (TOSE), given for labeling and packaging is also for other I/NGO and government entrepreneurship development. impressive, prompting people programs in Sunsari. “My only wish I was better prepared to decide to buy them to bring as gifts. is to call my husband back from on the kind of enterprise I wanted Today, her market is no longer Qatar and get him to help me to run based on these trainings.” confined to local shops. She sells in my business,” Samati says. Her She chose to learn about dalmoth her products in Tarahara, Itahari husband had gone to Qatar when and bhujiya-making. Once the and Dharan. The demand is so she started her business and has training was complete, MEDEP high she is unable to produce reinforced her savings with the supported her by giving her the enough. Her monthly transactions money he sends back. necessary machines. In 2015, go upto 45,000. And she has made MEDEP came to her aid again to some good investments with 52 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Shanti Malla Thakuri “She was recognized for her excellent Banganga municipality, Kabilvastu entrepreneurial skills by the Ministry of Industry, who awarded her the national award for most successful entrepreneur in Kapilvastu.” MONETIZING ENTREPRENEURSHIP 53

A hot commodity

Shanti Malla Thakuri of Banganga municipality in Kabilvastu district remembers the time she used to talk to her neighbors all day. “We talked about family, our lives, and people,” she recalls. Nowadays, she is a busy entrepreneur with no time to spare. She does miss those days, but wouldn’t change her current situation for anything.

SINCE 2014 after participating business provides employment had no confidence. I cannot in a skill development training to three women who help her believe the change that has come offered by MEDPA, Shanti says, collect various vegetables, grade over me. I can even keep track of “I make 12 kinds of pickles and them, and pulp them before the financial side of business,” she have registered my enterprise, processing. Her pickles are sold in says proudly. Sidhartha A-One Acchar the local market as well as in all Udhyog, in the Cottage and the neighboring towns and cities The change started on a fateful Small Industries Office (CSIO) in of Kapilvastu. Her annual turnover day in 2014 when she received Kapilvastu”. is six to seven lakh rupees. With information on entrepreneurship that money, she has started development training that MEDPA Her enterprise is well managed, savings up, a habit that is she says, was providing in her village. She and her pickles are a hot “sure to come in handy in my old went for it and got selected. After commodity. She was recognized age.” She is thinking of diversifying the training, she starting the for her excellent entrepreneurial into producing tomato ketchup, pickle enterprise from her home. skills by the Ministry of Industry, dalmoth and other food items. Her family of four supported her who awarded her the national wholeheartedly. She gives credit award for most successful For a woman who has completed to them for her success, “I wouldn’t entrepreneur in Kapilvastu. “I only primary level education, have been able to start were it not was honored and motivated owning an enterprise that for MEDPA and the support my to work much harder with this employs people and has a good family gave me.” recognition,” she says. Shanti’s return is fantastic. “I was shy and 54 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Shiva Khadka “Her friends advised her to give up her Khadgawada, Dailekh scissors, thread and serving machine, but she refused to listen to them and continued to work hard.” MONETIZING ENTREPRENEURSHIP 55

Cutting through social expectations

There are people who believe in luck, and there are those who believe in work. Shiva Khadka from Khadgawada in Dailekh belongs to the latter group. “No one can take away your hard work, even caste cannot affect,” she says. Shiva runs a tailoring enterprise, and this small effort has become a major factor in changing the lives of her four family members.

SHIVA WAS married at the age caste (Chhetri), she was ridiculed built a small home, and bought a of 15, and now at 26 is the mother for engaging in work meant for piece of land in Birendranagar. Her of two children. Her husband those from the lower caste. Her children go to a boarding school, works as a laborer in India. Things friends advised her to give up and she takes care of other major started looking up for her after her scissors, thread and sewing household expenses. She makes she received the seven-day machine, “but I refused to listen around NRS 10,000 per month. Start and Improve Your Business to them and continued to work That earning income increases (SIYB) training offered by MEDEP hard. MEDEP supported me in my during festivals when people line in 2010. She picked tailoring as endeavor,” she says. Since getting up at her shop to get new clothes her micro enterprise of choice the advanced-level training, she made. and participated in the month has expanded her business and long technical skill development has opened a shop in the market. “It gives me pleasure to have training for sewing. But she She persevered and answered her an enterprise of my own, which had to face numerous social detractors with success. allows me to make enough challenges when she started money for a comfortable life.” She her enterprise. Since Dailekh is a Now that the business is wants other women like her to get mountain district with regional established, she says, “I am earning in touch with MEDEP and acquire disparity, coming from a higher more than my husband.” She has skills to start their own enterprise. 56 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Sita Bista “‘I am really thankful to MEDEP for bringing Lakuri Village, Dailekh such change in my life.” MONETIZING ENTREPRENEURSHIP 57

Breeding hopes

Sita Bista from Lakuri Village of Dailekh, was the youngest child in her family, had gotten married at a young age. She Soon became the mother of three children and it was difficult to sustain the household just by working in the farm.

SO, her husband left for India. She herself selected poultry as an community and they often come Eventually the whole family went enterprise. She look up 25 another to see her enterprise. She has to India in search of work where detailed training on poultry employed two people to look they managed to earn Rs.30,000 farming. Initially, MEDEP provided after her poultry farm as she is (US$ 300) within a year. Returning 20 chicks as well as the necessary more occupied with her newly to Nepal, with that amount, they equipments. Sita also made an established fresh house. She has started a small retail shop but this initial investment of Rs.20,000. She been selling about 5-8 kgs of also wasn’t sufficient to feed and earned a profit of Rs. 10,000 from chicken per day. clothe the family. Fortunately, a her first sales within two months. day came when she, along with 25 She immediately expanded her ‘I am really thankful to MEDEP for other women, were selected for a enterprise, buying 200 chicks bringing such change in my life,” skills training organized by MEDEP. raising and selling them in Sita says. She passed on the skills acquired batches. She has been earning in the training to her husband, Rs.25,000 to Rs.30,000 in profits which helped him to run their from each lot. Her enterprise retail shop in managed way. has set a good example for the 58 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Sushma Shrestha “There are so many prospects here. You just Jiri, Dolakha have to be patient and look around you.” MONETIZING ENTREPRENEURSHIP 59

Hand-made happiness

Sushma Shrestha from Dolakha is a vociferous advocate of local employment. She feels Nepalis have enough job opportunities in their own country; there is no need to go abroad. “MEDEP is doing whatever it can to promote this, and I am proud to say I am one of the lucky ones to have benefitted from this endeavor,” says Sushma, who makes a range of products from lokta paper.

BESIDES COMMON products with a skill-development training. consuming. “One piece of jewelry like stationary and lamps, Sushma Sushma took up lokta paper as the takes three days to make.” She has come up with innovative raw material was easily available in wants to expand her business designs that have boosted the her village. “There are others in the “to meet the high demand popularity of her wares. One of community who were engaged while retaining the quality of these is jewelry. This has become in the business and I thought the products.” For this, Sushma a hot seller as they are light, they would help me with mine,” is relying on MEDEP’s advice waterproof and a reasonably says Sushma. She took several on business expansion and priced artifact to give as gifts. other trainings to enhance her establishing linkages. skills, which is reflected in the Sushma Handicrafts has trained high quality of her products. Her She urges young people to seek many women and given clientele consists of organizations out opportunities in Nepal before employment to 15 people who and corporate houses who use taking the leap of leaving the help in her business. Recalling her the paper files and folders for their country for foreign employment. past, Sushma says, “I went through work. She is also a wholesaler and “There are so many prospects difficult times due to poverty. exports her products. here. You just have to be patient There was no one to guide or and look around you,” she says. support me.” Finally in 2012, However, her enterprise is still MEDEP provided that support small. The work is also time- 60 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Usha Balami “Not only was usha able to earn sufficient Babiyachaur Surkhet money to sustain her life, she was also able to save in different cooperatives.” MONETIZING ENTREPRENEURSHIP 61

Entrepreneurship as a lifetime

Usha Balami 125, from Babiyachaur Surkhet has five members in her family. She was married at the age of 18, and went from one financially-struggling family to another.

IN ORDER to support their family, decided to go for other training for her to coordinate and work her husband went to India to earn sessions as well. Once these together with other women to money. Usha too started working were complete, she hoped to produce noodles. in other people’s home and farms. start a noodle enterprise that There would barely be enough could meet the demand of the At present, she has been earning money to put together a square whole of Surkhet. In addition to between Rs. 15,000 (US$ 150) to meal. that, MEDEP added value to the Rs.20,000 (US$ 200) on a monthly training by customizing it to their basis. Through a combined effort She had traditional farming interests, as well as their skills. with her husband, Usha has skills but there were no water She enrolled in another 60-day bought land in Babiyachour. sources so she had to rely on advanced noodle production She has a vision of making her rain for farming. She also sold training. enterprise more systematic and some seasonal vegetables. But also provide job opportunities. she always dreamt of becoming Not only was Usha able to earn She is very grateful towards independent by utilizing her skills. sufficient money to sustain her MEDEP and the District Micro- life, she also was able to save Entrepreneurs Groups Association In 2012, she was selected as one in different cooperatives. With (DMEGA) for their helping hand in of a women for a training session the help of MEDEP and Awaz her journey. organized by MEDEP. After she Organization, a Common Facility attended her first session, she Center was built so it became easy 62 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Yamuna Thapa “I remember when I was going through Baglung Bazar, Baglung difficult times trying to find a job to feed my family. Now I am capable of hiring two employees.” MONETIZING ENTREPRENEURSHIP 63

A stitch in time

Yamuna Thapa is a 35-year-old entrepreneur from Baglung Bazar, Baglung, known for the intricate design she embroiders on kurtas, blouse, sarees and shawls. Hers is a popular name in Baglung Bazaar: There are always customers at her store, buying clothes, or just admiring her designs.

“I MAKE NRS 35,000 per month a business. Just when she was She also says that at the initiation from this business,” Yamuna says deliberating about what to do, of MEDEP, the Cottage and Small happily. She is also a trainer and fate took a U-turn. She jumped Industry Development Board conducts boutique trainings in at the opportunity to take part in (CSIDB), Baglung provided her coordination with the municipality a training on skill development one handloom worth NRS 10,000 office, Cottage and Small conducted by MEDEP in 2013. It to scale up her micro-enterprise Industries Development Board took her two months of training in 2015. She thanks MEDEP for Office (CSIDBO), MEDEP and other before she started making providing her the opportunity and local NGOs as a resource person. boutique articles. transforming her from “someone She recalls her past, “I remember untrained to a Master in her when I was going through difficult “MEDEP provided the training field.” Her two sons are happy times trying to find a job to feed along with a handloom to a group and go to a good school they my family. Now I am capable of of micro-entrepreneurs living love. Daily life has become more hiring two employees.” below the poverty line. I worked convenient. Yamuna’s next dream in a group and produced different is to purchase a vehicle for her Yamuna was born in a poor family. boutique articles for some time. husband and buy land in Baglung She got married to a driver, but Soon after I opened my own shop, Bazaar. his earnings were not enough to June Tara Boutique Center, which feed the family. She herself had turned me into an entrepreneur,” no skills or knowledge to start Yamuna says. 64 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP) MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP) 65

Entrepreneurship to leadership

Undaunted by failure A catalyst for change The vision of an engaged, productive community Think like a leader Added responsibilities The journey of a lifetime 2. 66 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Bina Devi Sunar “Bina has good relations with eveyone in her Khajura Rural Municipality, Banke community, as a result of which her products are popular and sell fast.” ENTREPRENEURSHIP TO LEADERSHIP 67

Undaunted by failure

Bina Devi Sunar, 39, a resident of Khajura Rural Municipality in Banke has a chowmein enterprise. She also makes vinegar and different kinds of sauce. Her enterprise, the Srijanshil Khadya Udhyog is registered in Cottage and Small Industry Office (CSIO), and also at the Regional Food Quality and Technology Controller Office (RFQTCO), Banke. She sells her products mainly in Rimjhim Chowk and Nepalgunj.

“THE ENTERPRISE has eased to complete her education and stools, or mudas. This too failed my financial burden. I make she passed high school. “As my due to shortage of raw material. around NRS 175,000 a month, of husband had started working Despite facing multiple hurdles, which NRS 55,000 is profit.” Bina fulltime it was difficult for me to she continued to push further. is a treasurer of the District Micro continue my studies, so I decided Finally, in 2011, with support Entrepreneur Groups Association to stay at home,” she says. from MEDEP, she took up the (DMEGA) and chairperson of chowmein business. “I thought I the Micro Entrepreneurs Groups In 2005, she came in contact with would fail in this enterprise too, as Association (MEGA). “I have staff from MEDEP who had come it did not do well initially. But then managed to build a house from to conduct a Participatory Rural it picked up,” she says happily. my earnings. I also bought a Appraisal (PRA) in her community. scooter to market my products,” She participated and qualified The next step for her was she says. She has good relations to become a participant. “That is participating in local elections as with everyone in her community, how I managed to attend the skill a Dalit candidate for her ward, but as a result of which her products development training,“ she says. she did not win. However, she is are popular and sell fast. “I chose to learn how to make happy. “I have a thriving business dalmoth, a savory snack. I thought thanks to MEDEP. There is always Bina got married at a young age it would be a success, as it was next time for the elections.” and soon became a mother. popular. But I did not succeed”. Her husband encouraged her She switched to making bamboo 68 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Chinimaya Lama “The training that MEDEP provided Kavrepalanchok, Nepal me were a catalyst for my career as a politician.” ENTREPRENEURSHIP TO LEADERSHIP 69

A catalyst for change

Chinimaya Lama was elected as a ward member in the recently-held elections for local government from Chaurideurali 7, Kavrepalanchok. From a shy person with no confidence, to a leader who now gives motivational speeches to hundreds of people, Chinimaya’s journey has been exceptional.

CHINIMAYA JOINED MEDEP Chinimaya never knew her Things are a lot better now that in 2009. She had taken a skill mother. She had passed away she has a saleable skill, which development training for thanka when Chinimaya was six. Her she utilizes to the maximum. painting with seven other people. father raised her as best as he Chinimaya has taken part in Since then, she has never looked could. But he got remarried when exhibitions and trade fairs where back. “Thanka painting is very she was 14 and had a second she showcases her talent and also intricate and requires a lot of family and his priorities shifted. sells her work. This has been an patience,” she says. This has trained Soon she too got married but her important learning opportunity her to be a good listener, a trait financial struggle continued. Her and a training ground for her she is utilizing now that she is a husband left for Malaysia to earn, current pursuits in politics. leader. She enhanced this training but the money he sent back was with another 45-day training, and not enough as she had to look Chinimaya, who is a board soon started a thanka enterprise after the added needs of two member of the District Micro with others in her group. MEDEP small children. She wanted to give Entrepreneurs Groups Association supported her group to use the them good education as she had (DMEGA), credits MEDEP for her Common Facility Center (CFC) for never gone to school herself and success. “I don’t know what I their enterprise. Today She makes can barely write her name. “I know would have done were it not for up to NRS 10,000 a month from the importance of education and that initial training that MEDEP selling thankas. I don’t want to deprive them of provided me. The trainings were that,” is her feeling. a catalyst for my career as a politician.” 70 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Laxmi Pariyar “According to Laxmi, part of the budget the Kavre, Nepal municipality gets from the Government will be separated for enterprise development.” ENTREPRENEURSHIP TO LEADERSHIP 71

The vision of an engaged, productive community

Recalling the past feels like a dream to Laxmi Pariyar. This mother of four was born in a poor family and was married at a young age. Her husband didn’t have any source of earnings and she too had no skills. There was always scarcity of money. The people of her village also didn’t use to trust in the family’s ability to pay back loans, and therefore refused to help them.

NOW, HOWEVER, Laxmi is an her community but she was not become a member. Now she also elected member of the Mundaan allowed to join in. After MEDEP has the opportunity to uplift the Devpur municipality in Kavre. She came in contact with her, it gave life of marginalized Dalit women. has her own tailoring shop. She her the opportunity to learn. She According to her, part of the saves around Rs.1,500 on a daily is very thankful to MEDEP for its budget that the municipality basis from her earnings. Women continuous help and support. gets from the Government will of her community comes to visit be separated for enterprise her with the hope of learning Her husband has also supported development. She will also tailoring skills. She is always invited her in achieving this success, and investigate whether or not to meetings held in groups, in every other aspect of her life. the targeted budget reaches school management committee He also started working with her the intended purpose. She as well as other public meetings. in the business helping to support has a vision of everyone in her Everyone respects her and hears their family. community getting employment her out. opportuniteis. After Laxmi got elected in the Not too long ago, her life had local polls, she got an invitation been in limbo. There was already from District Micro Enterprise a group of micro-entrepreneurs in Group Association (DMEGA) to 72 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Seti Mahat “Seti’s one wish is to support women and Modi, Parbat create employment opportunities for them like MEDEP did for her.” ENTREPRENEURSHIP TO LEADERSHIP 73

Think like a leader

Seti Mahat, from Modi in Parbat district, cultivates ginger. This enterprise has brought her fame and money. People in her community look up to her as someone to learn from. Her popularity helped her win the post of deputy chairperson in her rural municipality in the recently held local elections. Talking about finances, she says, “I make a comfortable living to be able to send my children to school, and provide for my family.”

BESIDES FARMING ginger, Seti “There was so much, I had to 2008. The cooperative has sent processes them to make candy. divert to producing other things a proposal for NRS 1 crore to a “My ginger candy won the first from ginger, hence the candy.” big INGO to fund their vegetable prize in a local competition,” she enterprise. Seti is journey has been says. She has also started an Her positive rexperience in ginger incredible. From a small enterprise off-season vegetable farming production has encouraged her to president of a big cooperative, business along with ginger to venture into farming seasonal to a leader, and an award winner, production. She had established and off seasonal vegetables using Seti has experienced it all. But her her enterprise 18 years ago innovative methods such as biggest achievement, she says in 1999 when she took a skill plastic tunnels. Her production has is, “enjoying what I do and being development training on ginger grown with technology, and she able to provide for my family.” farming and processing with sells vegetables worth NRS 10,000 Seti’s one wish is to support MEDEP. She took a refresher to 15,000. women and create employment training in 2002, which gave her opportunities for them like skills in storage. She bought fifty Seti is the president of the MEDEP did for her. “This is my life’s kilos of ginger seed to begin with. Ratikhola Multipurpose ambition,” she says. The result was overwhelming. Cooperative, which she joined in 74 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Suntali Maya “According to Suntali, rather than going Rasuwa, Nepal aboard for work, it is better to work in own country and see what opportunities are available.” ENTREPRENEURSHIP TO LEADERSHIP 75

Added responsibilities

All guardians want their children to be engaged in good work. Suntali Maya is no exception: This mother wants her two sons to do something in life and become capable. She herself had learned vegetable farming skills from MEDEP and she taught those skills to her elder son which has led him to lease a land in Kathmandu and start a vegetable farm.

INTHE PAST, no one used to had saved so far made it easier for countries. According to her, it believe in her to lend her money. her to restore her home and also is better to work for oneself, be Though she used to farm, it was to restart her vegetable business. independent and capable enough not sufficient to sustain her family. to earn for oneself. She requests Now, the situation has flipped. Her When the local elections came, youths of her community to work husband as well as her younger she was requested by everyone in their own country and see what child also helps her in vegetable to take part. She did and won as prospects and opportunities are farming. And people of her village a ward member and now she has available. also trust her enough to give her an additional responsibility. She is loans up to Rs. 2 lakhs. In case happy to take it on. If she had not met MEDEP on anyone needs help, she has also 2009, she would have neither become capable of providing After she got elected, Suntali become an entrepreneur nor help to them. During a single has taken the initiative to make a political leader. MEDEP gave season, she makes a profit of more her village an agriculture pocket her skills that made her what than Rs. 2 lakhs from the sale of area. She has also planned to she is today. It supported her to vegetables and Rs. 1 lakh from the separate funds for agriculture. become an entrepreneur. It made sale of goats. She additionally wants to provide her capable enough to win an skills training to others so that election so she is very thankful The 2015 earthquake had affected they can also be employed. She towards MEDEP for everything. both Suntali’s livelihood as well as has heard had about the trouble her home life but the money she one faces when working in foreign 76 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Sushma Darnal “A lot of people came to my shop, which gave Baraha municipality, Sunsari me the opportunity to talk to them about various issues. I wanted to help them as I learned about their problems. This is how my interest in social issues grew.” ENTREPRENEURSHIP TO LEADERSHIP 77

The journey of a lifetime

Sushma Darnal is an elected representative of ward number 7, Baraha municipality in Sunsari. She is a representative of the Dalit community. Her journey level is a real testament to MEDEP’s support in the economic empowerment of women and those belonging to marginalized groups.

SUSHMA HAS been a micro- She is ever ready with a smile Though her political career entrepreneur since 2006 when on her face and a kind word to started with the 2016 local she took MEDEP’s seven-day anyone who comes to her shop. government elections, she was Training of Starting Entrepreneurs She has been heavily involved already showing leadership (TOSE) and Training of Prospective in community service since she qualities as an executive member Entrepreneurs (TOPE). She was became an entrepreneur. Her of District Micro Entrepreneurs given a tailoring machine as part enterprise and the money she Groups’ Association (DMEGA), of technology support. made from it increased her self- Sunsari. She was also the esteem, changed her livelihood chairperson of the Abhaa Sushma’s tailoring business and gave her the confidence Cooperative in Mahendranagar, provided her a base to act on her to give back to the community. which is promoted by micro- other passion of helping people. People’s attitude also changed. entrepreneurs. Besides this, she “A lot of people came to my shop, “I used to be discriminated against is also a member of the Micro which gave me the opportunity to due to my caste,” she says. “Though Enterprise Group Association talk to them about various issues. untouchability still exists, younger (MEGA) of Mahendranagar. She I wanted to help them as I learned people are more open and ready gives credit for her win at the about their problems. This is how to change. It will take some time local elections to the 221 micro my interest in social issues grew. for the older generation, but that entrepreneurs who voted for My shop provided the foundation too will happen, though slowly.” her, “my membership in all these for my political career.” Financial security also enabled micro enterprise cooperatives was her to build a concrete house instrumental in my winning the and send her two sons to a good ward seat,” she says. boarding school. 78 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP) MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP) 79

Rising from the rubble

Blooming business Weaving dreams A long way from war Where there’s a will An inspiration to others Pickled to perfection Discovering her inner strength Third time’s a charm Magic carpets Unfazed by adversity A pioneer in her field 3. From politics to an enterprise 80 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Chandra Kala Basnet “I worked hard to get to this point in Tehrathum, Nepal my life. I love nurturing the plants and seeing them grow.” RISING FROM THE RUBBLE 81

Blooming business

Every morning 39-year old Chandra Kala Basnet from Laligurans, in Tehrathum, wakes up with a smile. She looks forward to her day, working in her vegetable farm. “I worked hard to get to this point in my life. I love nurturing the plants and seeing them grow and sprout,” she says. This vegetable enterprise had been started after Chandra had participated in a training conducted by MEDEP.

THE TRAINING equipped Chandra Kala, is also a member of in the course of his work. She Chandra with the technical a farmer’s group. Her group took struggled a lot, both economically know-how and motivation to a loan from their own cooperative and socially. Being a single start farming vegetables in her to start this endeavor. They have woman, in a rural setting was not five ropanis of land. Before MEDEP already paid off their loans and easy. started conducting trainings in still have enough savings. Besides this area, farmers would cultivate farming, Chandra Kala reinforces The first skill training she took with only corn and potatoes. But her income by selling milk from MEDEP was for making tikas. But now the fields are filled with an the one buffalo she has. she had to abandon this idea as assortment of vegetable plants her business did not take off due from cabbage to cauliflower, Life wasn’t so rosy for her before to lack of raw material. She then radish, beans, spinach, and other she took the skill development switched to vegetable farming. seasonal vegetables. Chandrakala’s training from MEDEP. Chandra Kala Money from farming has made it vegetables are organically was widowed at an early age, just possible for her to provide for her grown as she only uses compost four years after she got married. family. “I got my daughter married manure and herbal pesticides. Her She had just had her two small with my savings and am looking vegetables have found a lucrative daughters when her husband, forward my other daughter’s market and she is making a neat who migrated seasonally to India wedding”, she says. profit. for employment, passed away 82 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Debaki Dhamala “I enjoyed weaving intricate designs on cloth Bidur municipality, Nuwakot and seeing them come to life.” RISING FROM THE RUBBLE 83

Weaving dreams

Debaki Dhamala of Bidur municipality, Nuwakot has suffered two major natural disasters in her life. The first was in September 2004 when a landslide took away her house and her farm land leaving her family destitute and vulnerable. The second time it happened was two years ago, when the 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck the country.

THIS TIME around, the damage and made just enough money Debaki has encouraged a lot of to her house was not too severe to survive.” Just as things were women to join her in enhancing but affected her enterprise worsening, Debaki heard about their skills by providing them significantly. Both times, MEDEP MEDEP and the skill development trainings. Some women have came to her rescue with trainings training they were organizing for started weaving in a group. They and technical support. prospective micro-entrepreneurs. use the Common Facility Center She met all the criteria for (CLC) provided my MEDEP to “When we lost everything we eligibility. Taking the training and gather and weave. The women owned in 2004, our neighbor gave she says, “it turned her life around”. have also started a savings group. us shelter for a few months. Finally, She acquired a skill she found Besides this, Debaki also provides the District Administration Office she was good at: dhaka weaving. training to women in her district (DAO) provided us a piece of “I enjoyed weaving intricate and gets a good salary. She also land where we build a temporary designs on cloth and seeing them earns around Rs. 25,000 selling shelter. It was very traumatic for come to life,” she says. Seeing her her products in the market. “Life my family, especially my three commitment and dedication, is finally good. I am loving it,” she children, who were very young MEDEP provided her further says with a smile. at that time. Both my husband training. and I used to work as laborers 84 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Gita Thapa Acharya “When she had been a combatant back in Libang, Rolpa the conflict era, she had never imagined she would one day have a family and a business caved for.” RISING FROM THE RUBBLE 85

A long way from war

The Rolpa Community Allo Thread and Cloth Enterprise provides employment to nine women entrepreneurs in Libang, Rolpa. Some of these women were actively involved as Maoist combatants during the ten-year conflict in the country. One of these women is Gita Thapa Acharya born in 1984.

GITA IS now a successful and her husband did not have any trainings. I took extra trainings entrepreneur with a thriving other skills, they started farming to become more qualified in my business. She earns well and takes but barely enough to scrape by chosen enterprise of allo thread care of her family’s expenses. Her on. weaving”. Members of her group children go to good schools, she make different products like has savings in the bank, she has She had been at the lowest shawls, mufflers, caps, and purses a nice house. What more can she point in her life when she came as well as weaving cloth. ask for ? in contact with MEDEP in 2013. MEDEP was conducting a Apart from MEDEP, the group When she had been a combatant Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) also received support from back in the conflict era, she had in her community, which was how the Government and other never imagined she would one she became affiliated with MEDEP. organizations. As a result, her day have a family and a business “Thank god I got this opportunity. business along with those of she cared for. “Life was difficult. We It was really important for me other members of her group, has were never sure of our future,” she to be selected.” Connecting expanded to a large scale, making says. Her first husband died within with MEDEP brought much- Gita very busy. But she says five months of the marriage. needed change in her life. She she will never forgets MEDEP’s And when the peace accord was says, “MEDEP provided me with contribution in her success. signed, she went home to Rolpa various skill development and with her second husband. As she entrepreneurship development 86 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Kaili Tamang “I was just a person with disability Khada Devi, Ramechhap whom people thought would be a burden to my family. But now they look at me with respect.” RISING FROM THE RUBBLE 87

Where there’s a will

Kaili Tamang’s life story is a lesson in never giving up, having a positive outlook, and always believing that the best is yet to come. She was born with a disability in Khada Devi, Ramechhap, to a very poor family. Though just getting out of the house was a struggle, Kaili managed to study up to grade 5. But due to her disability and also because of her family’s weak economic condition, that was the end of her education.

WHEN MEDEP came to her Kaili is now established as a She credits MEDEP for this. village in March 2014 with the successful entrepreneur, working MEDEP also helped her to buy offer of a seven-day skill training eight hours a day. Her reach has technical equipment to increase package, she was keen to take extended to Kathmandu. She her production and ultimately her part. Dhaka weaving was her makes NPR 15,000 per month and sales. She still hasn’t been able to chosen enterprise. “I took an feels proud that she is supporting meet the market demand. She is additional three-month skill her family, and not letting her planning to hire people to help training in dhaka weaving with disability come in her way. her in the work. nine other members of my group.” These trainings made her She says, “I feel a change in the Kaili wants to pass on her good confident enough to ask for loans way people look at me and luck to other women. She is also from the group and her relatives behave with me. I was just a a trainer. “I like teaching other and kick off her own weaving person with disability whom women skills that I have so they enterprise. She further took part people thought would be a too can make a better life for in an additional 45-day training to burden to my family. But now, themselves, like I did with MEDEP’s improve her skills. they look at me with respect. That support,” she smiles. is the best gift I have received.” 88 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Kalyani Ghising “MEDEP guided me, from moving my shop Barhabise, Sindhupalchowk to a more strategic location to providing entrepreneurship and technical skills training that helped to improve my business.” RISING FROM THE RUBBLE 89

An inspiration to others

Kalyani Ghising could not finish her studies beyond grade seven due to the commonly held belief that girls did not need education. On top of that, her family’s poverty became a push factor. But good fortune was headed her way. She would learn tailoring and open her own shop in 1995.

“I HAD no idea about business suggestions and act accordingly. the need of a Common Facility nor about tailoring,” Kalyani, “Initially, it was difficult. I used Center (CFC) and requested for 45, a resident of Manesuanra, to work 22 hours a day to finish the same. Under UNDP’s Rapid Sindhupalchowk, says. From 1995, orders.” When her business Enterprise and Livelihoods Kalyani has come a long way as started to take off in 2010, Kalyani Recovery Project (RELRP), an owner of the Prerana Tailoring completed her 10th grade. earthquake-resilient CFC was built Center to being one of the 17 “Graduating high school was one for NRS 992,000. Apart from the shareholders at the Bhairabkund of the happiest moments of my CFC, micro-entrepreneurs were Garment Industry; a journey she life”. With support from MEDEP, also supported with technologies, argues is tied with her hard work Kalyani has trained more than technical skill trainings, and MEDEP’s support. 1,800 women in tailoring. Of psychosocial and business them, 150 are operating their own counseling, among others. “MEDEP guided me, from enterprise in the district. “It gives moving my shop to a more me immense pride to see them Kalyani feels that entrepreneurship strategic location to providing doing so well,” she said. has helped her to become entrepreneurship and technical independent. It has also afforded skills training that helped to She suffered a setback when her recognition; she was awarded improve my business,” she says the earthquake of April 25, 2015 the “Best Entrepreneur Award” by adding that her determination, damaged the rented office space the Ministry of Industry in 2011 hard work and receptiveness and some equipment. With no and 2015. also helped her to internalize the space to work, the group felt 90 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Laxmi Bhatta “From earning NRS 25 a day to making Garukhola, Baitadi more than NRS 35,000, the choices she made changes her life.” RISING FROM THE RUBBLE 91

Pickled to perfection

Laxmi Bhatta has become a household name in Garukhola, Baitadi district. She runs three successful enterprises providing employment opportunities to many people in her locality. Her ventures include pickle production, a small hotel and a grocery store. She explains with a wide grin, “My enterprise is worth NRS 1,500,000. Two of my businesses are registered as small and cottage industries while the third one has a PAN number.”

IT IS because of her hardworking To think she was struggling to But she is still not done. She nature and determination that make ends meet only a few years has visions of making pickle a Laxmi has managed to succeed ago, is hard to believe. She has specialty of Baitadi district, and has in all her ventures. She is good truly come a long way. The first been working diligently towards at networking, a useful skill for income she earned was only NRS this goal. She has been orienting an entrepreneur, and is a part 25 per day. But her curiosity and many people on pickle production of different organizations and courage led her to branch out in her district. Knowing her, she cooperatives, despite having only into various kinds of work, until will definitely make this a success a basic educational background. she finally came into contact with too. She is the founding secretary MEDEP in 2002. The skill training of the Baitadi District Micro she received from them has a big She only has good words to say Enterprise Development Group, hand in making her what she is about MEDEP, whom she credits and the president of the Patal today. From earning NRS 25 a day as encouraging her to become Bhumeshwor Multipurpose Micro to making more than NRS 35,000, self-employed and independent. Enterprise Cooperative. the choices she made changed her life. 92 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Masanti Nepali “Being a part of this CFC has enable me Churpa, Dailekh to earn NRS 20,000 to 25,000 monthly, helping me fund my daughter’s education and give her a better” life. RISING FROM THE RUBBLE 93

Discovering her inner strength

Masanti Nepali, 44, from Churpa in Dailekh is a victim of casteism. She belongs to the Dalit community, but her husband came from a higher caste, thus the tension. “My in-laws never accepted me. In the beginning, my husband had no problems, but gradually he started getting swayed by his family. Ultimately he left me and refused to acknowledge our daughter,” she says.

MASANTI IS literate but, hall supported by the Poverty entrepreneurs. She has also according to her, “did not have Alleviation Fund. In 2014, MEDEP extended her enterprise and skills for a good job, or any farm helped them build a Common registered it as an enterprise for land to grow food in.” Facility Center (CFC) with Dhaka cloth order and supply. contributions from the Village She says, “MEDEP supported me In 2008, MEDEP had come Development Committee. She and others in the CFC when our to their village to assess the explains, “being a part of this lives were limited to household socioeconomic status of people CFC has enabled me to earn NRS chores. They provided us and identified eight women to 20,000 to 25,000 monthly, helping entrepreneurship skills, technical participate in an entrepreneurship me fund my daughter’s education skills and equipment. I will always development training. Masanti and give her a better life.” The be grateful to them.” was one of them. MEDEP provided Fulbari Dhaka Cloth Weaving CFC a 45-day dhaka weaving skill has become a beacon of hope to Her skills translated into economic training to the women. Other many local women. And Masanti is empowerment, which in turn gave additional trainings were also the chairperson. her strength to fight her former offered. They also gave the husband in court for the rights of women hand looms to start their Masanti’s life has definitely her daughter. “My daughter finally enterprise. changed for the better. She has got her citizenship ID,” she says become a trading entrepreneur, happily. Initially, Masanti and the others supporting backward and started working in a community forward marketing among 40 94 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Menuka Ramtel “The change in Menuka is palpable. She has Panauti municipality, Kavrepalanchok established linkage with other entrepreneurs and is providing training to women who want to start their own enterprise.” RISING FROM THE RUBBLE 95

Third times a charm

Menuka Ramtel from Panauti municipality in Kavrepalanchok is only 28 years old. But she has a vast reservoir of knowledge on micro-entrepreneurship. She is a successful entrepreneur with experience of running three enterprises.

LIKE MANY who are a part Menuka then switched to poultry opted to work in making fiber of MEDEP’s skill development farming. She was doing well bags,” Menuka says, explaining training, Menuka belongs to a with the support of her family her switch to a third enterprise. poor family. Her father died when and making a name for herself. Fiber bags are verymuch in she was in grade six, hence she She became the Treasurer of demand as many villages and could not continue her education the District Micro Entrepreneurs’ towns are becoming plastic-free beyond that. “My mother had Groups Association (DMEGA). zones. Menuka is doing well and four other children to look after. Everything was running smoothly, makes NRS 15,000 on an average As I was the oldest, some of that when the earthquake struck in in a month. She uses this money responsibility fell on me. I had 2015. “I lost everything in the to help her family and to build to leave school to help her at blink of an eye. My poultry farm savings in cooperatives. home.” To help provide food to collapsed, so did my house. My her siblings, she started going family, like many others, fell into The change in Menuka is palpable. to work with her mother. Soon, despair.” The Rapid Enterprise She has established linkages she was selected for a week- and Livelihood Recovery with other entrepreneurs and is long skill development training Program (RELRP), a UNDP and providing training to women who as a prospective entrepreneur. Australian Government project, want to start their own enterprise. “I was very skeptical as I had no and MEDEP were able to help “I think that the Government idea what was going to happen,” micro entrepreneurs re-establish should promote micro-enterprises Menuka recalls those early days their destroyed enterprises with for women to make them self- in 2008. Initially, She learned to financial, technical and psycho- sufficient and financially secure,” make candles with seven other social support. “Psychosocial she says. people. “We ran the enterprise for counselling was a big relief just two years as we were running as it helped us to accept the at a loss.” The market was full of devastation and move on with modern electric goods, and selling our lives. However, I could not candles was just not viable. recover my poultry business and 96 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Rupa Atwal “My reputation as a successful entrepreneur means Byas municipality, Darchula that I can access loans easily. This has prompted me to add new equipment, raw material and buy more carpets from others.” RISING FROM THE RUBBLE 97

Magic carpets

Rupa Atwal lives in Byas municipality, Darchula, and has a carpet business. Weaving is a traditional occupation in the Sauka ethnic group, of which Rupa is a member. Skills and knowledge about weaving on basic looms have been handed down from generation to generation in this community.

RUPA STARTING selling her and she also teaches people how and received entrepreneurship carpets in 2009, when she took to make intricate designs, like the training through MEDEP. She part in an exhibition held in map of Nepal, on carpets. also got newer equipment. She Kanchanpur. Since then, she has received further training says, “I have sold carpets worth Rupa’s mother had died when on mixing colors and designs. more than NRS 100,000.” Most of she was very young, so at the age MEDEP has provided Rupa her products cost between NRS of 10, she learned how to weave support to market her carpets in 6,000 and NRS 25,000. She also and make carpets from her aunt. Kathmandu and Nepalgunj where works as a wholesaler, buying By age 12, she was well into it. Darchula’s woolen carpets are carpets from other people and After her husband died some 16 well-recognized. She is a great selling in bulk, helping her years ago, this has been the sole example of how a single mother earn profits of NRS 35,000 per source of income for her family. who has the necessary skills and consignment. “My reputation as The income has enabled her to the spirit of enterprise can support a successful entrepreneur means educate her children, who also her family on her own and bring that I can access loans easily. This help her make designs, up well-educated children. has prompted me to add new equipment, raw material and buy Rupa joined the District Micro Rupa is happy with her more carpets from others.” Her Entrepreneur’s Groups Association occupation and very thankful to products are sold in 14 districts (DMEGA) in Darchula in 2007 MEDEP for supporting her. 98 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Miss. Sanumaya Gurung “I have received a successful entrepreneur Chautara, Sindhupalanchok award and a best entrepreneur prize from the Government of Nepal and the credit goes to MEDEP.” RISING FROM THE RUBBLE 99

Unfazed by adversity

Twelve years ago, Sanumaya Gurung’s family couldn’t afford to her in school. She had eventually come into MEDEP’s contact when looking for a job to support her family. After receiving basic training, Sanumaya further advanced her skills through a three-month tailoring technical skill training in Chautara. Her family could not buy a sewing machine so she worked for others, earning around NRS 40,000 per month. With that income, she bought one machine and one pressing iron and started her own enterprise.

DEVASTATINGLY, the also making NRS 80-90,000 per She said,”I cannot forget the devastating earthquake of April month from this enterprise,” she investment done by MEDEP to 2015 damaged her residence, says. She has invested NRS 300,000 get me to where I am. I feel happy along with all her properties. in a hotel enterprise and bought because my enterprise provides She lost some relatives too. 50 grams of gold from her earning. job and produces trained micro- The tailoring enterprise was entrepreneurs’. impacted, including the machines, “I am proud because I am able to raw materials and readymade manage all the expenses of my Sanumaya happily adds, ‘I have products. She says, “My enterprise family,” 33-year old Sanumaya said. received a successful entrepreneur was physically damaged but my award and a best entrepreneur spirit was not broken.” Sanumaya is also leading the prize from the Government of District Micro-Entrepreneurs Nepal and the credit goes to With persistence, Sanumaya Association and the woman MEDEP.” Sanumaya has more plans successfully upgraded her entrepreneurs’ association of to expand the tailoring enterprise enterprise and established Federation of Nepal Cottage into a garment industry and offer a training center after the and Small Industry (FNCSI) in more employment opportunities earthquake. Now, four women Sindhupalchok. She also filed her for youths. She is now seeking (1 master, 2 sewing workers and candidacy as woman member in appropriate place/land to build 1 assistant) are involved in her the local elections but was unable a working shed as a Common enterprise as employees and they to secure the seat. Facility Center. are making good money. “I am 100 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Sundevi Rokaya “My enterprise has given me the Masta, Bajhang confidence to speak out about social ills.” RISING FROM THE RUBBLE 101

A pioneer in her field

Sundevi Rokaya, 39, from Masta, Bajhang, runs the Sundevi Micro Enterprises Group, previously registered as Nanadev Agriculture Finances. The vegetable farmer once used to have just Rs 100 in savings at the end of each month, now she saves NRS. 3,600 a month. Sundevi, who until recently rented land for farming, now has her own land, which she bought with a loan of NRS 50,000. In the first six months of this year, she says, “I sold vegetables and mushrooms worth more than NRS 101,000”.

SUNDEVI BROUGHT up her two also received skills training and commercial vegetable farming. sons and a daughter by herself a training on running a business, Sundevi, who is the director of since her husband passed away which covered maintaining of the Nanandev Micro Enterprise seven years ago when she was 31.” accounts, improving business Group, which has 25 members, When he was alive, I was engaged performance, registering, says, “My enterprise has given me in small-scale vegetable farming collaborating with other people, the confidence to speak out about which helped me support the and searching for new markets. social evils. I have become an basic household expenses. But After the trainings were over, advocate for women’s economic after his death, this has become Sundevi says, “MEDEP gave empowerment and work for the the only source of livelihood,” she trainees plastic tunnels, watering good of my community”. Sundevi says. buckets, and spray for spraying is a well-recognized member pesticide and nutrients.” of the society and says she is She has been affiliated with determined to work on her farm MEDEP since 2014 when MEDEP Sundevi has become known as till her last breath. She gives credit organized a seven-day basic a pioneer in vegetable farming. to MEDEP for helping her raise her training and 15-day refresher Seeing her success, a lot of people family’s standard of living. training course in her area. She in her village have switched to 102 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Tirtha Pun “Tirtha now has three employees who help her Sisne, Rukum collect hemp thread from 50 entrepreneurs from different parts of Rukum. This is her way of helping the community.” RISING FROM THE RUBBLE 103

From politics to enterprise

Tirtha Pun, 42, from Sisne in Rukum, had lost her father when she was just seven years old. Life as she knew it stopped at that point. She along with her mother and seven siblings had to struggle for every single thing. When her mother starting learning how to make thread from the hemp plant that grew all over their village, she also acquired the skill with her. But this did not improve their lives all that much.

“I HAD to drop out of school after and market development. She some money and also to loan it to my SLC. I was desperate at the underwent a 45-day training people for a small interest. time. Since I was well known in my on hemp-based cloth weaving community, I joined the Maoist business. “I got machines like The most interesting part of party as a politician. I thought I a warping drum set, loom set, her story is that she used the could work for the people.” boiling pot for raw material, platform of a politician to become and charkha under MEDEP’s an entrepreneur instead of the Entering politics did not solve her technology support program,” she other way around, which is the problems. She knew she had to recounts. Though she had started more common practice. “This develop skills that were saleable. in a group, she decided to take the is all thanks to MEDEP,” she says. She wanted to explore the business forward by herself. However, she is still continuing her possibility of making clothes from social work, as the chairperson of hemp. In 2014, she joined a Micro Tirtha now has three employees Putha Himal Micro Entrepreneurs Entrepreneurs Group (MEG) and who help her collect hemp thread Group (MEG) and Executive received the Training of Potential from 50 micro-entrepreneurs Member of District Micro Entrepreneurs (TOPE) and from different parts of Rukum. Entrepreneurs Group Association Training of Starting Entrepreneurs This is her way of helping the (DMEGA) Rukum. (TOSE) from MEDEP. Here, she community. She earns well from learned about business selection her enterprise, enough to save 104 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP) MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP) 105

Beyond economic empowerment

The turning point The grass truly is greener for Anita Devi Down a new path A model entrepreneur Lives of dignity Nettle doesn’t always sting Reinforcing a respectable status The golden touch Giving back to the community A natural born leader Out of the confines of her past Serendipity and success No slowing down Triumph of perserverance Sumitra preserves Tharu handicrafts 4. The beginning 106 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Ambika Paudel “I am not only running a noodle-making Pyuthan Municipality enterprise but also venturing into mushroom production.” BEYOND ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT 107

The turning point

Ambika Paudel, from Pyuthan Municipality, is the founder of the Swargadwari Chowmein Enterprise, selling stick noodles worth more than NRS 300,000 per month. She has managed to not only successfully promote her product in her own district, but has also expanded her market base to neighboring districts like Argakhanchi and Rolpa. She proudly explains, “I produce noodles using more than 3,500 kilos of fine flour a month and make a profit exceeding NRS 25,000.” Her two children are attending boarding school and her elder daughter is currently pursuing her +2 in Science.

AMBIKA, who is 36 years old, The turning point in their lives entrepreneur employing two remembers a time when she used came when the Micro Enterprise young local women from her to struggle to meet her family’s Development Program (MEDEP) district. daily expenses. She had not been came to their village in 2010. “I able to complete her education learned that MEDEP is coming “I am not only running a beyond class 10 due because to our village to support people noodle-making enterprise but she had gotten married at the like us. I was selected for stick also venturing into mushroom age of 16. Her husband too had noodle-making training.” Ambika production,” she says happily. only studied upto grade 10. He says MEDEP followed up the “All of this has been possible too could not find a decent job. basic noodle making training, due to MEDEP’s support. Together, as a family of four they with on-the-job training with Entrepreneurship and skill worked hard for 12 years farming technology in 2015. This helped development training helped me in an infertile patch of land just Ambika expand her enterprise to a turn my life around.” so they could at least feed their larger scale operation. Seven years family. down the line, she is a successful 108 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Anita Devi “I used to make traditional mats and baskets Koshi rural municipality, Sunsari before the training, but started using pater afterwards the training, when I found how durable and resilient it was.” BEYOND ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT 109

The grass truly is greener for Anita Devi

Anita Devi Sardari, a resident of Koshi rural municipality in Sunsari district, is a busy woman. There are 15 people in her household, and taking care of their needs take up a lot of her time. As soon as the housework is done, she heads to the Common Facility Center (CFC) where her enterprise is based.

ANITA DEVI makes pater mats. Soon enough, she found to work in and store their material. Pater is a grass like material that the perfect outlet to sell her “The CFC has made it easy for us grows wild in the Terai. It is used to products. She was linked with to focus on our enterprise,” says make ropes, mats, baskets, brooms Nut Handicrafts in Kathmandu. Anita Devi, as she works on a mat. and similar household products. “I She now makes a neat profit of started this enterprise in 2009 after Rs. 20 to 25,000 in a month. “Just Her entrepreneurial and taking a skill development training imagine, the grass that grows wild leadership skills have made her an organized by MEDEP,” she explains. is helping me look after my family asset to her family. The family has “I used to make traditional mats and send my children to school,” started a hotel, fresh house, and a and baskets before the training, she says grinning. Economic grocery store and have registered but started using pater afterwards, empowerment has also made these at the Cottage and Small when I found how durable and her confident enough to lead Industries Office (CSIO). Her family resilient it was.” Besides developing various organizations. She is the now looks to her for suggestions her skills to start this enterprise, chairperson of the Kusaha Laghu and advice. “I am grateful to Anita Devi says, “MEDEP provided Udhyam Cooperative, and also of MEDEP for bringing me this far,” me technical skills to run the her CFC, which MEDEP helped to she says she wants to scale up her enterprise, develop linkages and construct. Entrepreneurs engaged pater business and diversify it to interact with people.” in pater production use the facility include other products. 110 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Bharati B.K “I learned a lot about business selection, Chhera, Rukum planning and enterprise, all of which has led to the smooth functioning of my organization.” BEYOND ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT 111

Down a new path

Bharati B.K is the vice president of the Hariyali Micro Entrepreneurs Group (MEG) in Chhera, Rukum. She is involved in farming and produces chilly, cabbage, cauliflower, tomato and various other vegetables and supplies them to the local markets of Solabang and Khalanga. Her earnings from veg. farming alone per month is NRS 30,000.

“NOW THAT I have a reliable and was married by the age of 13. After the trainings from MEDEP stream of income, I have invested As a house-wife her life became all she even took part in a seven-day NRS 0.6 million in a rice mill and a about household responsibilities. vegetable farming technical skill small furniture business earning an She spent a lot of time in development training to learn additional NRS 40,000 a month.” All traditional farming, but was barely how to maximize her products’ of this has played a big role in her producing enough food to feed a value by reducing unnecessary socio economic transformation. family of seven. Compelled by this costs. MEDEP also provided her a Both of her children are studying helplessness, her husband even tunnel and a sprayer through their in college. Members of other went to India to earn a living. technology support program. organizations request her to join their group to learn from her. She “Training of Potential “I had not trained on running a is serving as the chief for the Digre Entrepreneurs (TOPE) and Training business before. This training and Sai Kumari Micro Finance Ltd and of Starting Entrepreneurs (TOSE) the farming enterprise played is also the Chairperson of Chatana training in 2013 is really what a big role in making my life the Community Organization. changed my life and helped way it is now,” she says with me gain knowledge about satisfaction. She credits MEDEP for Her life a few years ago was enterprise selection and operation her success and wishes the same drastically different. She spent procedures. All of which has led for other women who are looking most of her childhood supporting to the smooth functioning of my for a way to make some money. her parents in household chores organization.” she explains proudly. 112 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Bishani Mahato “Our house was swept away by floods. Nawalparasi We lived under a plastic tunnel for two years after that as we had no land and no home.” BEYOND ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT 113

A model entrepreneur

Bishani Mahato, 38, of Nawalparasi could not complete her studies beyond grade nine because her family did not have enough money to pay for her school. Her mother passed away when she was still young, and she recalls sadly that her life changed for the worst. She got married at the age of 17, but her bad luck persisted. “Our house was swept away by floods. We lived under a plastic tunnel for two years after that as we had no land and no home.”

OF COURSE, good things come and started providing training to Bishani who was awarded the to those who wait, and Bishani’s women who were interested in successful entrepreneur award by good days came in 2001 when gaining a skill to earn a livelihood. the Ministry of Industry in 2014. she enrolled in MEDEP’s skill Currently she owns 22 sewing development training on tailoring. Over the years, she has trained machines that she uses to stitch “Once the training was over, I 2,356 women. About half of them clothes for her clients, both bought two sewing machines have opened their own tailoring men and women. Her monthly and started my business with shops and enterprises. She has earnings from her business is an investment of NRS 4,000.” She become so popular that she has NRS 80,000. She owns land, and scaled it up in a few months by increased her fee from NRS. 800 a house. Her children are getting adding four more machines. to NRS 2,000 per trainee. She good education. MEDEP continues to support provides them cloth and other its trainees and that is how it materials needed for starting In the future, she dreams of happened with Bishani. She their businesses and helps with opening her own garment also got additional training to financial aid as well. industry. “Without MEDEP’s strengthen her skills, which helped support this would still be a her market herself better. As a “I also have another tailoring dream,” she concludes. result, she established the Sushma center in Rajahar where I have Atmanirbhar Silai-Katai Talim, employed eight women”, says 114 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Dil Kumari Thapa “The MEDEP model is very important for Banganga municipality, Kapilvastu us because it gives better opportunities and shows us different ways to earn money.” BEYOND ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT 115

Lives of dignity

Dil Kumari Thapa runs a successful duna tapari (leaf plate) enterprise in Banganga municipality, Kapilvastu. She produces 3,000 to 4,000 pieces of different-sized taparis. Her customers are very satisfied with the quality of her plates, which has led to a huge boost in demand through word-of-mouth publicity.

“I MAKE almost NRS 30,000 on a the local cooperative where I have and inspired to start her own monthly basis. I had taken loans a savings account and invested enterprise. Success soon followed. from my relatives to start this in pig farming, which I do from enterprise, but now I have paid home as well.” The money she “The MEDEP model is very back everyone,” she explains. As earns from this enterprise provides important for us because it gives her business expanded Dil Kumari her the freedom to indulge a little better opportunities and shows had to employ people to help her. bit. Before her life turned around, us different ways to earn money Five women work with her every she was a struggling woman from and also gives employment to day helping her make, pack and a poor household who depended jobless youth in rural areas.” She sell the product in the market. She on daily labor for her livelihood. “I says she is happy to be a member has 20 other people helping her was buried in debt,” she says. Her of the Micro Entrepreneurs Group indirectly. She sells her products husband barely contributed as (MEG) and says, “ Entrepreneurship in the local haat bazar, and also in the shop he was running was not education is necessary for Butwal, Pokhara and Kathmandu. doing well either. uneducated people in the context of Nepal so that they can live their Dil Kumari is a smart investor. “I After receiving technical skills lives with dignity”. didn’t want to rely on just one and technological support business. So I took out a loan from from MEDEP she was motivated 116 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Ganga Kumari Khatri “We are actively promoting our products by Neptechaur, Myagdi coordinating with funding agencies and have succeeded in getting a solar dryer from the Myagdi District Forest Office.” BEYOND ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT 117

Nettle doesn’t always sting

Ganga Kumari Khatri, 34, from Neptechaur, Myagdi was the recipient of the Most Successful Micro Entrepreneur award given by the Cottage and Small Industry Development Board Office (CSIDBO) in the Myagdi trade fair in 2014. She is the proprietor of a successful nettle-powder enterprise. She recently established a wholesale shop in Beni that sells nettle powder, as well as other locally-produced spices.

AS CHAIRPERSON of the is readily available in our village. a potential entrepreneur. She Galeshwor Nettle Powder When people found out its value, received a seven-day Start and Making Micro-Entrepreneurs everyone wanted to take it up as Improve Your Business (SIYB) and a Group, Ganga led the search an enterprise. I train them on how five-day nettle powder production for potential markets in Beni, to make the most of it,” she says. training. When she was ready Pokhara, Kathmandu and Butwal. to start her enterprise with the “I succeeded in linking up with Ganga had been neck deep in group, MEDEP provided them a number of wholesale traders worry just until a few years ago. with a grinding machine and solar in various districts,” she explains. She had been married at an dryer. “MEDEP has been very good The co-operative sells their nettle early age into a family that was to me. It is with their support that I power to traders in bulk. “We are also poor, and depended on have managed to succeed.” actively promoting our products subsistence farming to survive. by coordinating with funding Soon, her husband migrated to Now that her enterprise is a agencies and have succeeded Oman in the Gulf to look for work, success, she wants her husband in getting a solar dryer from the and the teenage Ganga was left to come back to Nepal and help Myagdi District Forest Office,” to work on their farm with two her in her business. “This way the Ganga says children. children will have their father at home and I will have someone to She earns NRS 20,000 per month In 2007, her village was selected help me in my work,” she reasons. from her shop and makes extra for MEDEP implementation from her work as a trainer. “Allo and Ganga was identified as 118 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Krishna Nepali “When rural women don’t have access to Lakuri, Dailekh livelihood skills, they miss out on opportunities like earning income, providing for themselves and their families and becoming more respected in their communities.” BEYOND ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT 119

Reinforcing a respectable status

Pragatisheel Sajha Subidha Kendra (Progressive Community Facility Centre - CFC), located in Deurali Bazar of Lakuri in Dailekh is always busy with the clatter of sewing machines. This is a haven for women with difficult family lives, where they are trained in tailoring and other skills. The CFC is managed by a group of women entrepreneurs and is geared not only to help women overcome personal and social obstacles, but also to make them financially independent.

WOMEN LIVING in rural Seven years ago in the Micro purposes and make enough communities have a great many Enterprise Development money for my family’s wellbeing.’ struggles in sustaining their lives. Program (MEDEP) identified 25 This was also true for Krishna poor women in her village, and “When rural women don’t have Nepali, who used to work for provided business awareness access to livelihood skills, they others as a daily wage laborer, orientation to them, motivating miss out on opportunities like hardly making NRS 5,000 per them to start their own enterprise. earning income, providing for month. Now she earns more Ten of them, all from the Dalit themselves and their families, and than NRS 15,000 and deposits community, chose tailoring. becoming more respected in their NRS 100 per day in cooperatives. MEDEP then provided 45 days of communities,” Krishna Chaudhary, She says,“I was neglected by the advanced training to the group Government Support Specialist community because of my caste and also took the initiative to build at MEDEP, says. “We are dedicated (Dalit - a so-called “untouchable”). a house for the CFC. to empower women not only But now I am invited by the rural economically but also socially municipality office to discuss the “Learning to operate and to reinforce a respectable status planning process. I also share maneuver sewing machines for Dalit and other marginalized my experience and talk about for the first time was a great women in Nepal.” women’s empowerment in experience,” Krishna recalls, “Now different forums. I feel good when I am able to use my skills for I do that.” both personal and commercial 120 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Lalmati Rana Tharu “Her positive attitude and quick Dhangadi, Kailali thinking did not let her give up in the face of difficulties.” BEYOND ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT 121

The golden touch

When life closes a door, it opens multiple windows of opportunity. Lalmati Rana Tharu of Dhangadi in Kailali district is an expert at identifying and making use of these opportunities. Life has thrown a lot of obstacles her way but she always manages to land on her feet. That’s what makes her story one of success. “I was lucky, I was able to continue my studies even after marriage,” she says. “This was because of my father-in-law, who is a teacher.”

HOWEVER, HER luck only lasted With the desire to earn even give up completely and ventured a short while, as she had to drop more to support her big family, into mushroom farming, that out of school when she became a she acquired training to produce would allow her to take care of her mother. Her family was struggling bamboo decorations only to soon husband and work at the same financially as her father-in-law’s realize there was no demand for time. She registered her enterprise sole income had to sustain 16 it. But her positive attitude and under the name of Multi family members. In 2007, the first quick thinking did not let her Agriculture Mushroom Farming opportunity came knocking on give up and she pursued training and even established herself as her door in the form of MEDEP’s in making bamboo houses. a qualified trainer. She now sells skill development training. After The profit she made from this more than 200 kilos of mushroom this, she further received training amounted to a whopping NRS and earns a profit of NRS 7 to 8 in fish farming and even got 8,000,000. She soon became lakhs yearly. She even provides to attend an educational tour. famous and a book titled Bamboo employment opportunities to Lalmati was part of a group at Master was published based on locals. that point and they earned a her success. profit of NRS 40,000 a year with Her success has been recognized this enterprise. She was happily However, she met with another by the National Home Foundation, involved in the business for the obstacle when her husband fell ill. and she was awarded by them in next four years. She was forced to put the career 2011. on hold. But Lalmati refused to 122 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Laxmi Saru “Women need to start their own business. Banganga municipality, Kapilvastu This helps not only to uplift the family’s condition, but also that of the nation.” BEYOND ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT 123

Giving back to the community

Laxmi Saru, 45, from Banganga municipality in Kapilvastu district is an inspirational woman. She is the owner of an enterprise that produces various kinds of dhaka products. Her wares have a successful market in and around her municipality. She employs five women from her community to help her in the business, and she trains girls and women in weaving so that they too can earn their own money and not depend on anyone.

“ONE OF the reasons for my you have the option to make so households. Since she qualified success is my community, who many choices,” says Laxmi. One for the trainings, she took all that help me whenever they can,” of the choices she has made is to was on offer. MEDEP also provided says Laxmi. She also praises her advocate for women’s economic technology support by giving husband and says, “he is my empowerment. “Women need her hand looms. She took a loan biggest support.” Impressed by his to start their own business. This and started her enterprise. She wife’s hard work, he has started helps not only to uplift the family’s deeply feels that, “MEDEP gave his own pig farming enterprise condition, but also that of the me a great opportunity to start an near their house. Her success has nation,” says Laxmi. enterprise through their training led to an increase in her family’s programs. In the context of Nepal, income. She earns NRS 20,000 per There are nine members in her it is a very important for improving month currently and owns seven family. Her eldest son is overseas the livelihoods of people living sets of dhaka-weaving machine. for work. Her husband was in poverty. I am very happy with “It is amazing how good it feels unemployed as was she when the trainings and I wish women in to be financially secure. When she came to know of the trainings other places would benefit from it.” you have a thriving business, that MEDEP was providing poor 124 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Meena Kumal “This parlor is my lifeline. I am grateful to Kailali MEDEP for making all this happen.” BEYOND ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT 125

A natural-born leader

A 33-year old Meena Kumal has two identities: one as a successful micro- entrepreneur and another as a leader of micro-entrepreneurs through the District Micro Enterprise Group Association (DMEGA) of Kailali. Belonging to a very poor indigenous family, Meena’s life found a turning point and changed dramatically.

“I GREW up in a 12 membered Initially, she suffered many she adds more to this through joint family, where we relied on problems, such as lack of market, the training she give to other daily wage work for survival.” shortage of money for investment enthusiastic women looking to and difficulty in earning the start their own parlors. In 2006, she came in contact trust of customer, but continued with MEDEP and was selected attention helped her business to Mina claims she is happy to be a as a potential entrepreneur take off and now she is known beautician and to have her society by the project. After receiving as a successful entrepreneur/ recognize her as a leader. “This training, she decided she wanted beautician in her area. Alongside parlor is my lifeline. I am grateful to to become a beautician, so she her business, she continued MEDEP, for making all this happen,” took up another three-month to pursue her studies and was Mina says. She is also committed, long training in Dhangadhi. After selected vice chairperson of the through the DMEGA Kailali, to completion of the training, she DMEGA Kailali in 200, a position create more entrepreneurs in established a small beauty parlor she retains to this day. this field focusing to young girls with the support of her family and who are deprived, poor and friends in 2007. Her monthly income is NRS 20 to unemployed. “It is my wish to help 25,000 from the beauty parlor and them improve their lives,” she says. 126 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Parbati Chaudhary “The awards have encouraged me to Dhangadi, Kailali become an active member and serve in various positions.” BEYOND ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT 127

Out of the confines of her past

For 36-year-old Parbati Chaudhary from Dhangadi, Kailali, life was all about being a good house- wife. “I have studied only up to eighth grade. I did not think having a job was something I could do, forget running my own enterprise”. Few years down the line, however, she is busy running her own business, receiving multiple awards and making appearances on radio shows. All this was possible thanks to entrepreneurship skills she acquired from MEDEP’s trainings in 2007.

“MAKING bamboo furniture award for Successful Woman At first they trained to make helped me support my family Entrepreneur by Care Nepal bamboo decorations but when financially. Daily expenses are not in 2016. “The awards have they realized this did not have a a problem anymore. My daughters encouraged me to become big market, MEDEP provided them are getting a good education an active member and serve an additional five-day educational in a boarding school,” she says. in various positions like the tour and 12-day skill development She makes a profit of NRS 20,000 treasurer of the Kailali Chamber training on bamboo furniture. every month. Her business has of Commerce and Industries, and MEDEP even built a Common grown so much that her husband vice president of the Micro and Facility Center (CFC) for them, is supporting her in making Small Enterprise Federation.” She contributing NRS 435,000, while deliveries. is now in a position to provide the women contributed NRS subsidy loans to 47 women in her 88,000 from their earnings. Parbati Her success and hardwork district. donated the land. have been recognized by many organizations. The Kailali Chamber She gives credit for her success Parbati is happy with MEDEP for of Commerce and Industries to the entrepreneurship skill bringing her out of the confines presented her an award in 2009 training she received from of her home and helping her And during a festival in 2015, MEDEP. She, along with eight become an entrepreneur and she was recognized with the other participants, presently run trainer recognized by all. Honorable Woman Entrepreneur the Srijana Micro Entrepreneur award. She also received an Common Facility in Dhangadi. 128 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Rita Bogati “I like focusing on single women like Solpathana rural municipality, Sindhuli me, who need all the support they can get.” BEYOND ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT 129

Serendipity and success

Rita Bogati is a good example of grace under pressure. She runs a popular tailoring shop in Solpathana rural municipality in Sindhuli. Desperation had driven her to this profession, which in turn has taken her to unimagined heights of success. She is a successful entrepreneur, trainer and homemaker and very much content with life. It was not always like this.

RITA had gotten married at a very abilities. As she improved her who has also become a tailoring young age. But married life was skills, her confidence grew and instructor, has already provided not easy. To get away from the she started to slowly expand her training to more than 150 women. stress at home, she started taking business. Rita bought a machine “I like focusing on single women lessons in tailoring. When her to increase her production. like me, who need all the support husband left her and remarried, Gradually she started adding more they can get.” She has bought she as a single woman found machines and also employed her own house and runs her solace in the tailoring shop that more people. Her new-found tailoring shop from there. Her she had opened in the market. confidence coupled with the former husband’s family, who she potential new technology meant is still in touch with, have been Ten years ago in 2008, she got she could produce attractive very encouraging throughout her an opportunity to participate and up-to-date designs that are struggles. They too are happy that in trainings for potential and popular among her clientele. She she has achieved success with the starting entrepreneurs. She also makes almost NRS 2,000 per day help of MEDEP. Rita gives credit underwent a training on skill now. “I myself cannot believe how to MEDEP for helping her find her development, honing her tailoring lucky I have been,” she says. Rita, footing. 130 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Sabitri Devi “MEDEP provided me with training to start Duhabi my jute carpet enterprise. All I am today is because of that.” BEYOND ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT 131

No slowing down

Sabitri Devi Chaudhary is busy listening to a group of people who have come to seek her advice. Some want to know which business would suit them, some want information on forthcoming trainings, while others want to take out a loan and want details from her. Sabitri loves this role and the influence it brings with it. “This is because of my enterprise, which has given me an identity and I am very proud of it,” she says.

SABITRI HAS worked extremely She cannot stop praising MEDEP Bangladesh on an exposure visit. hard to reach this position. She and support it still provides her. She is now engaged as a micro- has gone through difficulties, but “MEDEP gave me training to start enterprise trainer with various has emerged stronger and better my jute carpet enterprise. All I am associations and makes additional due to her determination and today is because of that.” money from that. She managed to persistence. The 51-year old micro- achieve all this while still looking entrepreneur remembers a time Her list of accomplishments is after her home, her children and when no one trusted her. “I had to endless. She helped establish her ill husband who suffered undergo two surgeries to remove the District Micro Entrepreneurs’ paralysis while she was growing a tumor in my stomach, but no Groups Association (DMEGA), her enterprise. Her carpets are sold one would lend me money,” she and later the National Micro in cities including Kathmandu and recalls. She had to sell her land to Entrepreneurs Association. With even exported to some countries meet the expenses. As soon as she additional help from MEDEP overseas. recovered, she started working she expanded her business on a daily wage basis to make and became the president of a “I will remain active as long ends meet. Then MEDEP came Common Facility Center (CFC). The as I can. I love my job and the into their area, which proved to Ministry of Industry recognized recognition I get. Why would I be the big turning point in her life. her contribution and sent her to want to retire ?” she laughs. 132 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Sochmani Chaudhary “Sochmani has trained 119 women in Kailali, Kailali District, Dhangadi Kanchanpur, Dang, and Salyan to make furniture from bamboo. ” BEYOND ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT 133

Triumph of perseverance

Sochmani Chaudhary of Kailali District, Dhangadi, has been in the furniture-making business since 2006. Her enterprise, Kailali Saugat Griha makes and sells furniture like mudas (stools), tables, chairs, hangers, racks, garden swings, and baskets. From their sales, she makes around NRS 35,000 a month. “At a recent fair I sold NRS 51,000 worth of bamboo furniture,” says Sochmani who received the hard-working micro women entrepreneur award at a ceremony held on the occasion of the 107th International Women’s Day.

SOCHMANI’S FAMILY of seven Sochmani asked around her Saugat Griha. Through the District used to grow crops in their field, area and learned there may be Micro-Entrepreneurs’ Groups but the harvest would barely demand for tika. So she joined a Association (DMEGA) she received last them three months. “This training session on tika-making. the necessary equipment and prompted my husband to go “But I had to walk long distances material. She also buys furniture to India to find work.” During every day to sell them, and the from other enterprises and sells this time, Sochmani suffered a low margin “was not worth the them in Butwal, Kathmandu, and miscarriage which was attributed labor”. even as far away as Dipayal. to lack of nutritious food. Finally, she heard about a training As her business flourished, her “I later joined one of MEDEP’s in making bamboo furniture, husband has stopped going to seven-day training sessions on an extension of the skills she’d India for work. She provides job enterprises in 2006,” she says. learned in making bamboo opportunities to others and also She went on to join a 45-day skill mudas. The 12-day training works as a trainer. She has trained development training on making changed her life. Noticing her 119 women in Kailali, Kanchanpur, mudas (stools) and immediately skills and her enthusiasm, she Dang, and Salyan in making started production. However, she was given the opportunity to furniture from bamboo. found there wasn’t a large enough exhibit her work at a fair in Fun market for them. With retail prices Park and later at an enterprises lower than the cost of production, exhibition in Nepaljung. she gave up the business. Chaudhary then reopened Kailali 134 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Sumitra Chaudhary “I was skillful in coming up with new designs, Banke which helped me become a trainer. I left my job in the radio and decided to devote my entire time in helping others.” BEYOND ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT 135

Sumitra preserves Tharu handicrafts

Sumitra Chaudhary of Banke, was working as a news reader on the radio when she happened to read the news of twenty Tharu women who received a training on making handicrafts. This got her thinking, “what happened to the women after the training? What happened to their products?” “I decided to find out and see if I could be of any help,” she says.

SHE STARTED her own business, There were days when I had Here she learned skills related Harchali Handicraft Enterprise in nothing to eat, just some chiura to handicraft, and marketing. 2013 to help manage and market (beaten rice) and water. I had one Soon she says, “I started training their products. She has become rug which I sometimes used as a people on making handicrafts so successful in her endeavor mat and sometimes as a blanket,” and gave them marketing tips.” that now she is the one who she shudders remembering those Her gift shop became the place is interviewed on radio all the days. Sumitra lost her parents where the women could sell their time. The Ministry of Industry at a young age and had the handicrafts. recognized her hard work and added responsibility to take care she was awarded a certificate of her seven step brothers and “I was skillful in coming up with for being an outstanding sisters. Her salary of Rs.7500 as a new designs, which helped me entrepreneur in Banke district. The newsreader did nothing to help become a trainer. I left my job in certificate came with a cash prize her look after them. the radio and decided to devote of Rs. 10,000. “The recognition was my entire time in helping others. great, and the cash prize solved a But everything changed when she She makes up to Rs. 30,000 to lot of my financial problems,” she read the news about the women. 40,000 from the training programs laughs. She realized that if she wanted and the exhibitions she holds. “It to help others, she should be is through MEDEP that I became All this success came after a lot good in the business. This is when successful,” she says. of struggle. “I came to Nepalgunj she discovered MEDEP (in 2013) from Bardia for higher studies. and the trainings they provided. 136 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Yam Kumari Thapa “MEDEP helped me write my Baglung own success story and become confident and self reliant.” BEYOND ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT 137

The beginning

At any given moment you have the power to say: This is not how the story is going to end. Yam Kumari Thapa, 40, from Baglung bazar in Baglung, wanted to write her own story; a story that would be about living life on her own terms. And she did just that. She did not let the tragedies in her life define her.

YAM KUMARI’s husband died which proved to be a turning Her financial situation also in a bus accident and soon after, point in her life. “I became changed as she started earning her in-laws abandoned her. “My self-reliant,” she says, explaining NRS 35,000 to 40,000 per month. son was just two at the time. I had that this was the first chapter of She is the Vice-Chairperson of no money and I was shunned her success story. “MEDEP was the District Micro Entrepreneurs’ by the villagers as widowhood is providing training on dhaka Groups Association (DMEGA) considered bad luck. But I never weaving and I grabbed the Baglung. With the support of let the contempt I faced from a opportunity,” she says. Along with MEDEP, she alsobegan to work as conservative community affect this she also received a handloom a trainer and has registered her me.” as technical support being that enterprise at the Cottage and she was a part of the targeted Small Development Board Office Now, Yam Kumari is a successful indigenous group. (CSDBO), Baglung. Her son is entrepreneur running her own studying science and she hopes dhaka-weaving enterprise. She has Slowly gaining confidence, she he will one day become a doctor. three handlooms and has hired started a dhaka enterprise at an employee to help her run the Baglung market. Initially she had She says,“MEDEP helped me business. She has her own outlet just one handloom. She soon write my own success story and to sell the products she makes. became skilled, which helped in become a confident and self- The change happened in 2009, increasing her customer base. reliant woman.” 138 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP) MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP) 139

Wider Horizons

Wresting control over life A portrait of resilience Wild about mushrooms Hard work pays off Bamboo Bonds Family Tailoring happiness Cultivating a healthy and happy life Kalpi’s pater creations A different tune Grabbing at opportunity Looking for that silver lining Charging through obstacles Breaking age-old barriers Learning to lead Will to work Plating up a new life Entrepreneur Par Excellence A mix of motivation and determination Revolutionary in her own right A financial and social transformation Where tradition and modern enterprise meet On her own feet A little help goes a long way 5. small support, significant impact 140 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Anari Devi “I am the primary breadwinner of my family. Inaruwa, Sunsari My husband and son help me in the ceramics business that I have started.” WIDER HORIZONS 141

Wresting control over life

Anari Devi, 43, from Inaruwa, Sunsari, has broken a lot of barriers. She comes from a patriarchal society where social structures, systems and practices dominate, oppress and exploit women. Despite these obstacles, she has managed to create her own identity as a micro entrepreneur.

“I AM the primary breadwinner ceramics as it was something she which would have otherwise of my family. My husband and was familiar and felt comfortable been almost impossible in her son help out in the ceramics with. community. “I have taken control business that I have started,” she of my life, and I feel happy,” she says with pride. Anari Devi, who MEDEP supported her with says. She gives credit to her belongs to the Kumal community, technology and provided her husband for supporting her. a Madhesi indigenous group, had three electronic wheel chakkis. Anari Devi has bought a rickshaw started working as a daily wage In 2015, MEDEP helped her get for her husband, and a piece of labourer with her husband. Both a pug machine, which mixes soil land. She is an active member of them hardly made enough at 250 kgs/hour. Besides this, in her community; people money to make ends meet. But, Anari Devi could use the local acknowledge and appreciate her her luck turned in 2005 when Common Facility Centre (CFC) entrepreneurship skills. She is also she came in contact with MEDEP. to manage her work. Support by a member of theInaruwa Rural She became a part of a micro- MEDEP made her work efficient Market Center (RMC) and Ceramic enterprise group (MEG) and took and easy. She now earns around Production CFC. Her son could a seven-day entrepreneurship NRS 30,000 to 35,000 per month. not complete his education due development training along with She says she makes more during to poverty. But Anari Devi says, other MEG members. It was a festivals. “I once made NRS 125,000 “I want my daughter to study as Start and Improve your Business in a month,” she says. Economic much as she can so that she can (SIYB) training, at the end of which empowerment has enabled her choose what she wants in life.” she chose to start a business in to make decisions in her family, 142 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Dhanadevi Soyal Sarki “In 2007, a life-changing opportunity Triyuga, Udaypur landed at her doorstep in the form of MEDEP’s training.” WIDER HORIZONS 143

A portrait of resilience

For Dhanadevi Soyal Sarki, 46, from Triyuga, Udaypur, life has always been a struggle. Born to a Dalit family, she suffered the effects of poverty right from childhood, and education was a distant dream. However, her determination to provide a better life for her children was what motivated her to push forward and look for opportunities.

THIS was the starting point as her family of seven depended enterprise. However, like any new of her journey in micro- solely on her husband’s daily business, she struggled to get entrepreneurship. According to wages for their livelihood. She customers initially. “But I never her, “even though my husband herself had to work as a daily wage lost hope.” And her perseverance and I are both illiterate we don’t laborer in order to supplement her paid off. want that for our children. We husband’s income. But no matter cannot read or write but we will how hard they worked, their Dhandevi produces bamboo make sure our children are well financial problems never seemed mudas (stools) and racks from educated.” She did not give up to end. which she earns NRS 20,000 on her dreams and now sends to 25,000 a month. With the her two daughters and a son to In 2007, a life-changing expansion of her business, she good schools. She has even built a opportunity finally landed at her has hired two skilled employees beautiful home for her family with doorstep in the form of MEDEP’s to keep up with the demand. She her earnings. training. She participated in their says “A lot of changes have come entrepreneurship development in my family since I started making Recalling her early years, she says programme. “I chose to learn mudas. This led me to make it my she lost her father when she was bamboo craft,” she says. With her main enterprise giving me the five. Her mother remarried, which newly-learned skills, knowledge ability to be self-reliant.” Dhandevi, only increased her burden. Life and a business-oriented attitude, who is also a trainer, credits was the same even after marriage she started her bamboo craft MEDEP for her success. 144 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Gauri Sah “My only dream is to educate my children Chandrapur municipality ward no 1, Rautahat and keep on with my mushroom enterprise.” WIDER HORIZONS 145

Wild about mushrooms

Gauri Sah, 38, is a successful entrepreneur who cultivates mushroom to sell it in the local market. She is a resident of Chandrapur municipality in Rautahat district. She was married at the young age of 16 to a person in Bihar, India. As her husband’s family was big, she faced numerous challenges. Every day was a struggle. After six years of marriage, she decided to come back to Nepal. Her husband came with her and started selling ice cream in various villages in Rautahat. With their combined income, they managed to look after and provide for their family.

GAURI’S JOURNEY from a life This was very motivational for field.” Most of the income from her of extreme poverty to that of her. Gauri decided to expand enterprise goes to educating her an entrepreneur is peppered her business. “I asked for loan four children, who all go to private with challenges. But she forged from a relative and leased land to schools. She also invests part of on, hoping that one day she cultivate mushroom,” she recalls. her earnings back in the business, would find success, which “I cultivated 3000 to 4000 balls of which she wants to continue for she did in August of 2014. mushroom regularly.” as long as she can. Micro-Enterprise Development Programme (MEDEP), a UNDP and Currently, Gauri makes a net profit “My only dream is to educate DFAT (Australian Government) between NRS 25,000 – 30,000 my children and keep on with supported programme, provided a month from her enterprise. my mushroom enterprise. I am a seven-day entrepreneurship Her family helps her as much as grateful to MEDEP for providing training, where Gauri was selected they can. “My husband helps in me the necessary training. I to hone her skills in mushroom marketing the mushrooms in cannot imagine what my situation cultivation. The first time she various places in Rautahat and the would have been if not for this sold mushroom after starting her neighboring districts of Bara and timely intervention,” she muses. enterprise, she made NRS 10,000. Sarlahi. My children help me in the 146 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Harikala Ramtel “This is not an easy enterprise to run. But I am Surkhet not afraid of hard work.” WIDER HORIZONS 147

Hard work pays off

Harikala Ramtel, now 49 years old, has been dealt many adversities in life. She was born in a poor family with six children. She could not go to school as she had to look after her younger siblings. When she met a young police personnel who expressed an interest to marry her, she saw it as a way out of her dire situation and accepted his offer. She thought this would be the beginning of a comfortable life, but she was mistaken.

SHE SOON found out he was cooperatives, and provides loans provided appropriate technology already married. “By this time I had to people who need it. “I had a and capacity building training. given birth to a son. There was no difficult time applying for loans it, “This is not an easy enterprise source of income, and no land to so now I give loans to people who to run. But I am not afraid of grow food. I had to ask my parents need it the most,” she says. hard work. My group works well for help. I bought a small rack together and we are happy with and started a road side shop,” she Her life changed when her group the way business is going,” she remembers. of 25 people participated in a says. mushroom cultivation training Now, she is the president of Jagriti that MEDEP provided nine years She is really happy to have been Micro Entrepreneurs Group in ago in 2009. The mushroom able to get involved in MEDEP Chisapani, Surket. She is also the business was seasonal and it was program. She wants to encourage treasurer of the District Micro difficult to survive for a whole year all her friends to get training Entrepreneurs Groups Association on this income. So, she changed in running a micro enterprise (DMEGA), and vice president her business to broiler production. and advance their lives through of the Laligurans Cooperative. MEDEP further provided a five- economic empowerment. Her monthly income is around day training package for broiler NRS 30,000. She has savings in production to her group, and also 148 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Indira Pariyar “I have formed a partnership with a trade Suryapatawa, Bardiya entrepreneur who supports the sale of my ready-made products.” WIDER HORIZONS 149

Bamboo bonds family

Life has always been hard for Indira Pariyar, 26, who comes from Suryapatawa, Bardiya. She was born to a poor Dalit family and could not complete her education beyond eighth grade due to poverty. However, her sharp thinking and determination helped her overcome difficulties to become an industry leader in items made of bamboo. She has gained recognition and respect by producing and selling products such as bangle stands, stools, flower pots, racks, and clothes stands.

SHE SAYS, “I have formed However, life wasn’t always this She says all of this happened due a partnership with a trade easy. She was working as a daily to MEDEP’s entrepreneurship entrepreneur who supports the wage laborer to support her family and skill development training, sale of my ready made products.” while her husband traveled to which she took in 2013. “I chose She is also lucky in the sense that India and other places in Nepal in to learn how to make bamboo a popular tourist destination, search of work. As she came from products from MEDEP and Thakurdwara is located next a Dalit community, “it was hard for this turned out to be the right to her house, which provides a me to stand on my own feet in a decision. We have no problem huge market for her goods. She society that treats us so poorly.” collecting raw material as it is regularly visits various exhibitions easily available in our community and fairs to explore further options But success has brought forest. The products sell fast and to expand her business in other happiness to her family. Her are popular with tourists. Thanks areas. Indira, who makes around husband does not have to travel to this enterprise supported by NRS 25,000 per month, happily anymore and instead helps her MEDEP, my husband and I can live claims “I am earning enough run her business. She has even comfortably together with our to support my family, my two received recognition and prestige children.” children and still have enough left for her success and now can live a over to invest in gold ornaments. I dignified life. also save in cooperatives.” 150 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Chandika Sibakoti “I had seen worse days. Before I started Sunkhani, Dolakha stitching clothes as a profession, my family lived a very poor life. In comparison, this was better.” WIDER HORIZONS 151

Tailoring happiness

Chandika Sibakoti from Sunkhani, Dolakha is a 35-year-old widow with two young children. She started her tailoring enterprise in 2008, after receiving technical skill training from Small and Cottage Industry Development Board (CSIDB). Her skills were enhanced the very next year when MEDEP gave her the Start and Improve Your Business (SIYB) training. Since then she has received other trainings to improve her marketing skills, trainings on GESI, dress designing, cooperative management, capacity building including exposure visits to see how other enterprises are managed.

“ALL THESE trainings helped lot after he passed away. I had to others. She has also added a cloth me gain confidence to run my look after two small children. I was shop to her growing business enterprise more effectively,” she scared,” she reveals. However, she venture. Her profits have helped says. Though she hardly made did not let this tragedy deter her her buy a plot of land in Dolakha. enough money in the initial from working hard. She continued Her children go to good schools stages of starting her enterprise, with her tailoring and made up to and she provides employment she did not lose hope. “I had NRS 32,000 on a monthly basis. to two people. Chandika is a seen worse days. Before I started treasurer of the Ama Samuha stitching clothes as a profession, The earthquake of April 2015 (Mothers Group). She is a member my family lived a very poor life. damaged her house, her property in the DMEGA, and MEGA. She is In comparison, this was better.” as well as her sewing machines. interested in party politics and This is because her husband who But once again, she did not lose wants to become a leader in the worked overseas reinforced her hope. Chandika immediately built coming days. All the trainings income with the money he sent a temporary shelter and resumed she has received from MEDEP will home. Tragedy struck when he her business. Her enterprise has definitely help her in achieving her returned home. He turned into an now become a training center, dreams! All the best to her. alcoholic and died within a year where she provides basic and of coming back. “I struggled a advanced technical skill training to 152 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Jatri Devi Sardar “I have been able to share educational and Saptari household expenses with my husband. As a mother of five, I feel proud to feed my family a healthy nutritious diet.” WIDER HORIZONS 153

Cultivating a healthy and happy life

Jatri Devi Sardar, a 48-year-old lady, is living a happy and comfortable life with her family in Khadak municipality, Saptari district. She successfully runs her own household and provides for her children’s education all through the success of her vegetable farming enterprise.

SHE EXPRESSES her happiness technological support to did they have a source of income and says, “this is the first time establish her enterprise. Gaining to feed the family. From being I have been able to share confidence after the training she land less to currently owning educational and household courageously invested NRS 5,000 four kattha land, and a beautiful expenses with my husband. in vegetable cultivation. The result cement house, Jatri Devi’s life As a mother of five children, I was surprising even to her as she has come a long way. Her per feel proud when I serve fresh earned back NRS 30,000, which capita income jumped from NRS vegetables to my family. This is almost six times more than her 5,625 before the training to NRS business has helped me feed my investment. She expressed her 41,866 which is an amazing 744% family a healthy nutritious diet.” shock by saying, “I wonder why increase. MEDEP supported programs Her endeavors into vegetable were not there earlier to focus As demand for her vegetables cultivation started after being on women friendly economic has increased in the local market, selected for MEDEP’s seven-day opportunities like this one, and she was encouraged to raise entrepreneurship development help change the way we deal with production capacity. She has training followed by another life.” not only empowered herself seven-days of technical skill economically but also socially development training for This is a drastic change from the as she serves as a treasurer for vegetable production. MEDEP way she lived her life before. Born the District Micro Entrepreneurs along with Facilitation Center for into a poor Dalit family, life was Group Association (DMEGA) and is Business Development (FACEBUD) hard for her. Her family neither had also an active social worker in her also offered her financial and sufficient land for cultivation nor community. 154 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Kalpi Kumari Chaudhary “Her life changed in 2013 when MEDEP selected Nawalparasi her as part of the target group to receive training in skill development.” WIDER HORIZONS 155

Kalpi’s pater creations

Producing simple household items like stools and mats out of pater has brought about a drastic change in the life of Kalpi Kumari Chaudhary of Nawalparasi. “At first, the product was new for people but demand for it grew and I started to earn NRS 10,000 per month. Now, that has gone up to NRS 30,000 per month. Both my daughters are completing degrees in nursing in Chitwan, which makes me proud. I have also saved enough to buy four katthas of land and grow more pater there.”

KALPI HAD led a very different She was provided two 10-day produced quality pater products,” life a few years ago. She belongs trainings on making mats and says Kalpi. to a poor family of small farmers. muda (stools) out of pater. Once She and her husband had worked the training concluded, she Kalpi was awarded the best as daily wage farmers for others employed creative and innovative entrepreneur of Nepal prize in as they had no land of their own. designs to the mats and stools 2015. “This recognition is the Her life changed in 2013 when and launched the products in highlight of my life. MEDEP MEDEP selected her as part of the the market. Seeing how popular changed my thinking towards target group to receive training the products were, MEDEP then work and life. I became more in skill development. At the provided Kalpi another training positive,” Kalpi says, thinking out Start and Improve your Business on making dining mats and muda loud of how she wants to expand (SIYB) training, she selected covers. “As this was an absolutely her business in the coming days. pater handicraft making as her new product in the market, enterprise as it was a locally- demand was high. I made the available resource. best use of this opportunity and 156 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Lalo Devi Ram “I am what I am because of the motivation and Shambhunath municipality, opportunities MEDEP provided me. Saptari ” WIDER HORIZONS 157

A different tune

Lalo Devi Ram is a 40-year-old resident of Shambhunath municipality in Saptari district. She looks over proudly at her family members gathered around a television. “Such modern luxuries were things I could never dream of having. Now, my family loves watching their favorite shows,” she says.

LALO DEVI owes her success started to look up as she was bamboo,” she reveals. Lalo Devi to flutes. “I make up to 25,000 chosen by MEDEP for their has truly transformed into a pieces per month. One flute sells seven-day entrepreneurship business woman. Five members from NRS 60 to 250 per piece,” she development training. This of her family are working in the explains. This means she makes training was followed by a skill enterprise to meet the ever- around NRS 37,000 per month. development training in which increasing demand. Hailing from the Dalit community, she selected flute production. this is a considerable amount Gaining confidence from the Lalo is happy to have created an for someone who was living as a training, she started a small identity for herself. Other than squatter just a few years ago. Her enterprise, selling only in the local her business, she is also involved husband worked as a daily wage market. The success inspired her in the community as an active laborer while she stayed home to continue. The demand for her social worker engaged in raising with the children. “The money he product soon rose to the point awareness on the benefits of earned was not enough to feed where traders were coming to micro-enterprise development, us. Education and health were her home to buy the flutes. “I am education, health and sanitation. things we couldn’t prioritize,” she now exploring options to find a “The credit for my success goes to remembers. regular supplier for raw material. MEDEP. I am what I am because I have started consultations with of their motivation and the The year 2008 turned Lalo Devi’s the Community Forest Users opportunities they provided me,” life around completely. Things Group to provide me with suitable she says. 158 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Maiki Devi Sardar “My first income was NRS 2,500 which I spent on Tilathikoladi gaupalika, Saptari my children’s education.” WIDER HORIZONS 159

Grabbing at opportunity

Maiki Devi Sardar, 38, of Tilathikoladi gaupalika, Saptari, wears a lot of hats. She is an entrepreneur, social figure and a trainer. She produces pater mats and trains people to make these mats on behalf of the District Cottage and Small Industries (DCSIO), NGOs and MEDEP. She is very happy with her life and says, “I felt empowered when I was recognized as a trainer by the Government. I not only train men and women in pater mat production but learn some important skills like public speaking and have gained a lot of confidence. The extra income is an added bonus.”

UNTIL A few years ago Maiki Devi development training for pater a Common Facility Center (CFC) was working as an agricultural mat production. They started their for production and storage of the daily wage laborer and struggling enterprise under the name Sardar mats. Now Maiki Devi is producing to feed her family. When the Terai Pater Mat Making Micro Enterprise 60-80 mats a month and is also movement escalated in 2006/7, Group. MEDEP provided them assisting the CFC by playing her husband left her and their technical support to start their the role of a whole seller and two children, and moved to India business. “My first income was purchasing all the mats produced to look for work. He would come NRS 2,500 which I spent on my by her team members. back occasionally, but never children’s education,” Maika Devi stayed back long to help. Maiki remembers. Currently, she earns a profit of NRS remembers asking god to show 16,000 to 20,000 per month. Her her a way out and to rescue her As demand grew, women from success has spread to her family family from poverty. the group stopped working as well, as she has employed five as wage laborers and devoted of them to support her in the God seemed to answer her all their time to the enterprise. collection of raw materials and prayers in 2007, when MEDEP was MEDEP further helped scale other management activities. Her launched in her district. Women it up by providing additional social status has increased and from the Dalit community, technologies and other forms her family’s purchasing power has including her, were chosen of support like regular business been boosted. “This is all thanks to to participate in a seven-day counselling, technical training and MEDEP,” she says happily. entrepreneurship and skill exposure visits. They even built 160 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Mina Mandal “There was a time when my son was sick and Janakpur, Dhanusha nearly died as I did not have enough money for his treatment.” WIDER HORIZONS 161

Looking for that silver lining

Mina Mandal from Janakpur, Dhanusha, has gone through unimaginable hardship. Her family married her off to a man with disability when she was just 12. This was so they could avoid giving dowry. “I had to become a wife, a nurse, a daughter-in-law as well as go out and earn money to feed the family all at once.” In addition to this, she had to take care of their five katthas of land. Her childhood and adolescent was spent thus, in household chores.

NOW 45, she says “There was bangle production, keeping 1000 each. She earns between a time when my son was sick the high market accessibility of NRS 12,000 – 15,000 a month from and nearly died as I did not have these products in mind. With this business and has invested enough money for his treatment.” additional technological support NRS 50,000 of her earnings to She recalls selling one kattha of from MEDEP and a small loan, she help her son start a motorcycle land and borrowing from lenders started her enterprise. Initially, she repair workshop. He now runs the at a high interest rate to save his used to peddle the products in a workshop and helps Mina with life. “I even had to work free of cost basket and her initial investment expenses. She has also trained her in my lenders house until I could was only NRS 800. Now she has eldest daughter in Laha bangle pay him back.” invested NRS 50,000 to purchase production. Mina is also a leader, a kathghara (wooden portable and represents her village in She struggled for five years house)for a shop, for which she the District Micro Entrepreneurs raising her three children and received NRS 10,000 from MEDEP. Groups Association (DMEGA). “If her family until she finally came She has now added various other I had not received training from in contact with MEDEP. MEDEP products like cosmetics along with MEDEP at that opportune time, provided her hope in the form the bangles to her wares. I am scared to think of what my of a seven-day entrepreneurship future would have looked like. I development training and Mina has also started training am thankful I took that training,” followed it up with technical skill others. So far, she has trained she says. development training for Laha around 20 women, at a fee of NRS 162 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Mira Shah Shankar “I had to compromise a lot but I did not give Manthali municipality, Ramechhap up. Who would take care of my mother and brother if I fell apart ?” WIDER HORIZONS 163

Charging through obstacles

Mira Shah Shankar, 23, of Manthali municipality in Ramechhap district is a brave woman. She has faced many hurdles in life: her father left her family; her mother suffered mental illness; and she she could not complete her education beyond the 10th grade as the burden of looking after her ill mother and younger brother fell on her shoulders. She had dreams of becoming a nurse, but her family’s situation compelled her to take up daily-wage labor.

MIRA, HOWEVER, did not let an opportunity to learn pass her. “I am very grateful to MEDEP for any of these challenges bring She took her hosiery business changing my life by providing her down. “I had to compromise wherever she went. She could be me a saleable skill,” says Mira. She a lot but I did not give up. Who seen working on her project even also trains other women in her would take care of my mother on the farm. community and transfers her skills and brother if I also fell apart ?” to them so that they too can start she says. Fortunately, she was Soon her products caught the eye their own enterprise and become able to participate in a training in of people around her. Her shawls, financially secure. She strongly skill development conducted by caps, mufflers, socks, sweaters feels that “women should be MEDEP. This training opened many have now become very popular. encouraged to become micro- doors for her. “I was motivated She sells them in the market and entrepreneurs. This is the best to do something on my own. I earns a good profit. She was able thing that can happen to them.” chose the hosiery enterprise,” says to provide necessary treatment Mira with a smile. She wanted to to her mother and support her succeed in her chosen business brother’s education. and was determined to never let 164 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Muna Odh “I want to expand the business so that we Dashrath Chand municipality, Baitadi can produce ten quintals of vegetables per month.” WIDER HORIZONS 165

Breaking age-old barriers

Starting an enterprise has not only given Muna Odh a lifeline out of poverty, but also hardened her resolve to help others from the Dalit community in her area break free of the rigid hold of the caste system.

MUNA ODH, 34 was and Improve Your Business (SIYB) profit of Rs. 32,000 a month. But determined to not let the workshop in the area in 2012, Muna doesn’t want to stop there. longstanding barriers of caste and as soon as she heard about “I want to expand the business so and discrimination cast a shadow it, Muna enlisted. “I had a good that we can produce ten quintals on her dreams. A resident of the feeling about it.” of vegetables per month,” she says. Dashrath Chand municipality in Baitadi, she had spent most of her Seeing potential for vegetable Now that her circumstances have life working for others, starting farming as an enterprise, Muna improved, Muna is able to support with a stint as a household decided that was what she would her family and send her two kids helper, a profession that many focus on at the workshop. She to school—as well as employ generations of her family— worked hard on learning the her husband in the enterprise. belonging to the marginalized ropes and acquiring the necessary But apart from a change in Dalit community—had been skills, and once the training was her financial state, Muna says confined to. “The work was hard complete, MEDEP provided the experience has also had a and the pay meagre, and people her the financial and technical considerable impact on her self- didn’t treat us very well,” she says. support needed to establish worth and her sense of ambition. “I wanted to break out of this cycle the Manakamana Vegetable and do something else.” Production Group. “I felt hopeful This was one of the reasons after such a long time,” she says. she had made up her mind to Muna went on to try her hand at “And I was ready to do whatever it contest in the recently-held local different jobs. “I tried everything—I took to make it work.” elections as a candidate from the even transported goods for Dalit quota in the municipality. people for three years, but it didn’t The Manakamana Group produces Although she lost the election by pay enough for me to sustain a range of seasonal and off-season four votes, she says she’s happy my family,” she says. Fortunately, vegetables that are sold in local to try again. “It’s only if people like it wasn’t long before she came markets. And business has been me are able to enter these kinds of upon a training opportunity—the booming: the group now has decision-making positions that we Micro-Enterprise Development fixed assets worth Rs. 150,000 and can finally break free of the hold Programme (MEDEP) was current assets amounting to Rs. of the caste system and reach our conducting a week-long Start 60,000. Each member makes a true potential,” she says. 166 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Nirmala Thakur “I was surprised when I earned NRS 1,500 on the Siraha municipality, Sarsar very first day I started selling the bangles. Now I earn NRS 30 to 40,000 a month.” WIDER HORIZONS 167

Learning to lead

Nirmala Thakur of Sarsar in Siraha municipality is the chairperson of the Shree Saraswati Laghu Udhami Samuha, which includes 13 women who manage a laha bangle-making enterprise, a business that emerged from a entrepreneurship development and skill development training provided by MEDEP.

“I WAS surprised when I earned become capable of bearing all her bangles and equipment, NRS 1,500 on the very first day I household expenses. She even and linking up with trade started selling the bangles. Now sends her youngest son to a entrepreneurs. She recently I earn NRS 30 to 40,000 a month.” boarding school, which costs purchased a motorbike worth NRS Nirmala says. She is not only an NRS 75,000 a year. Even though 175,000 for her elder son. She says, entrepreneur but also a trainer her husband was a little skeptical “I am happy that I got the chance providing skill training in different initially, following her success, he to develop leadership, negotiation locations of Siraha, Saptari and now respects her and supports and public speaking skills, which Dhanusha. Last year alone she her in her endeavors. She even have proved to be very useful in conducted 15 training sessions supported her husband to start my enterprise.” She is involved in and earned NRS 270,000. his own furniture enterprise. In the District Micro Entrepreneurs addition to furniture, he also Groups Association (DMEGA) and Before MEDEP, life was different produces equipment required for Citizen Awareness Center. She was for Nirmala. Her family has five laha bangle production. Together, also awarded the national prize members including her husband they have a new role as a supplier for excellence in entrepreneurship and three sons, and they were for other entrepreneurs in this from Siraha District. “MEDEP has having difficulties meeting their industry, while at the same time been instrumental in developing basic needs. Being a housewife, maintaining their own enterprise. entrepreneurial and leadership her life revolved around skills in me,” she says, adding that household chores. But after the Her two elder sons are also she wishes for all women to be as success of her business, she has supporting her in marketing lucky as her. 168 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Pinky Devi Das “I tried convincing my husband and in-laws to let Aaurahi, Dhanusha me work, but they never listened.” WIDER HORIZONS 169

Will to work

In 2008, Pinky Devi Das from Aaurahi, Dhanusha, hid the fact that she was taking a seven-day skill development training offered by MEDEP, from her husband and in-laws. “They are very conservative and did not want me to work outside the house,” says Pinky, who comes from a traditional Madhesi Dalit family. Though life was a struggle every day, her family would not let her contribute by working.

“I TRIED convincing my husband “When they found out, all hell to entrepreneurship and and in laws to let me work, but broke loose. They did not support skill development trainings, they never listened,” she says. me at all. I was already stressed technology support for the Finally, they had to relent when worrying whether my enterprise enterprise, establishing market things became worse. “I have spent would take off, and the lack of linkages, and graduation support, days on end without eating,” she support from those I loved was a MEDEP has been with me recalls. double burden.” The group she had throughout,” she says gratefully. joined when she took the training Pinky Devi is also a trainer from Hence, when MEDEP was came to her rescue. They gave her which she earns an average of organizing a training in the an initial loan of NRS 1,500 from NRS 100,000 annually. Her income adjoining village of Mansingpatti, which she started her enterprise. has helped her family replace she decided to go. “I was the Gradually her enterprise picked the thatched roof with a more only participant from my village. up. “People loved my designs,” she permanent fiber one. Her three I was passionate about learning says of her business, which kept sons go to boarding schools. “I a saleable skill, so I took the on growing due to word of mouth want to transfer my luck to other training without any logistical publicity. Eventually her husband women like me,” she says. support, tea or snacks as it was and in-laws gave in and now planned for limited participants,” support her wholeheartedly. she remembers. She trained in making laha bangles without the The one entity that consistently knowledge of her husband and supported her, she says, was in-laws. MEDEP. “From the initial training, 170 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Ravi Sunar “She had never imagined her business Narayan Municipality, Dailekh would work this well, but now, seeing herself as a successful entrepreneur, she feels very happy.” WIDER HORIZONS 171

Plating up a new life

Ravi Sunwar from Narayan Municipality of Dailekh was the eldest child in her family, which meant she had to look after the household as well as her younger siblings. As a member of a Dalit family, she was hard-pressed to receive education nor were there any hopes of getting jobs. And soon, she had to get married.

THE FINANCIAL issues in her Then MEDEP came along with a products was looked after by the husband’s family were similar to seven-days skills training for the organization itself so she faced no those plaguing her own family. women of Bashkot, Dailekh. Ravi difficulties in selling. As her husband was also illiterate, chose leaf plate-making. With he used to work on daily wage the intention of operating a plate She was fully supported by her basis. She had already given birth making enterprise, she along husband, family and society. She to six daughters by this time. with other women established also got the opportunity to show Eventually, they were thrown the Shrijanseel Mircro Enterprise case her products at an exhibition out of the house by her in-laws. Group. They all started saving held in Surkhet. One of the visitors Their condition worsening, so Rs.20 on a monthly basis. of the exhibition bought 2000 leaf she also started working on the plates and made additional orders daily wage basis. She was very MEDEP also provided them of 200,000 pieces. She had never unhealthy, so to support her, even with the machine for producing imagined her business could work her daughters started working leaf plates. She along with 13 this well but now, seeing herself as housekeeper while attending other women had sat for the as a successful entrepreneur, she government schools. training session. After starting feels very happy. She has a vision the enterprise, she was earning of growing her business and she Rs. 12,000 (US$ 120) on a hopes that everyone will help her monthly basis. Marketing of the on the path to success. 172 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Rekhadevi Laheri “Education is very important, and I am Janakpur, Dhanusha proud that my children go to good schools.” WIDER HORIZONS 173

Entrepreneur par excellence

Rekhadevi and her family have moved from the bamboo hut to a concrete house with four rooms. She has opened a paan shop for her husband. “He still helps me, but looks after his own enterprise too,” she says.

REKHADEVI’S husband had laha bangles. “Laha bangles are Dhanusha in 2015. The CSIO reservations about helping very popular in Janakpur,” says supported her to go on exposure her openly in the beginning. Rekhadevi. “They have a good visits, “which helped me learn Rekhadevi, who is 33, recounts, market, especially during festivals.” new things and apply them to my “I make laha bangles, and my She took a loan of NRS 4000 at business,” she says. husband was reluctant to help me 60% interest from money lenders during the daytime when others in her village, and spent NRS 700 The biggest success for her is could see.” Her husband Laxmi on raw materials. “It was very the education she has been able said “My friends would tease me difficult to start the enterprise to provide her three children. for supporting my wife, that too from my small room,” says “Education is very important, and making bangles.” Now that same Rekhadevi, who lived in a bamboo I am proud that my children go laha bangle enterprise has scaled hut with five other people. But to good schools,” says Rekhadevi up their lifestyle and provides she persevered, and soon enough, who hasn’t studied much as them comforts that they could met with success. she was a child bride at age 15. only dream of before. “MEDEP fulfilled all my wishes,” she Rekhadevi and her family have says. “I had dreamt of becoming a In 2008, MEDEP selected moved from the bamboo hut to a trainer and now I am doing that Rekhadevi to take part in their concrete house with four rooms. too through MEDEP,” she adds. skill development training. Soon She has opened a paan shop for Rekhadevi and her husband now after, Rekhadevi took the Training her husband. “He still helps me, plan to expand their business and for Prospective Entrepreneurs but looks after his own enterprise generate employment for other (TOPE), and Training for Selected too,” she says. She has registered needy women. Entrepreneurs (TOSE). Her chosen her enterprise at the Cottage and enterprise was the production of Small Industries Office (CSIO) 174 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Renu Paswan “I struggled both at home and outside Kalyanpur municipality, Siraha to establish my enterprise. But I did not give up.” WIDER HORIZONS 175

A mix of motivation and determination

Since starting her laha bangle enterprise two years ago in 2015, Renu Paswan of Kalyanpur municipality in Siraha district, is known as ‘Renu ji’. “This is a big achievement for me as I come from a poor Dalit family. People barely talked to me before I became a successful entrepreneur,” she says.

HER JOURNEY in problem for people. On top of all From a family of six people who entrepreneurship started three this, her husband was also not owned only five katthas of land years ago in 2015, when MEDPA supportive. “I struggled both at that could barely sustain them for selected her as one of the home and outside to establish my five months, Renu has changed prospective entrepreneurs to enterprise. But I did not give up.” the fate of her family. They live start a micro-enterprise. She took Her perseverance paid off. a comfortable life. Her husband, the eight-day entrepreneurship who initially frowned upon her development training, where she Renu has already registered her choice of enterprise, helps her selected making laha bangle as enterprise at the Cottage and in her business. The rest of her her enterprise of choice. “Laha Small Industries Office (CSIO) family is also very supportive. bangles are a big part of Mithila Lahan. She has developed “It is amazing what economic culture and have a huge market leadership skills, and manages a empowerment can do to a in the Terai,” she says. After the group of 20 local women. She has person. I am confident, articulate trainings were complete she become a trainer and transfers and successful today, and my started an enterprise from her her skills to women like her, success has brought me the own house. “I was discouraged allowing them to start their own respect and admiration of friends from all quarters,” she says, businesses. She makes almost NRS and family.” explaining that the caste she 50,000 from her enterprise and the belonged to was creating a trainings she provides. 176 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Sangita Khawas “I come from a strict family where women Morang are still only seen and not heard. Therefore, whatever I have achieved is extremely significant.” WIDER HORIZONS 177

Revolutionary in her own right

When Sangita Khawas, 32, took her first training with MEDEP in 2005, she had no clue what she would be doing after. Sangita belongs to a poor Madhesi indigenous community in Sunsari where traditional values still reign strong. But she did not let this deter her as she was determined to use her skills and do something productive.

“AS SOON as I finished my Office (CSIO), Sunsari, as well as her education. “I come from a training and became aware at the local level. She is an active strict family, where women are about entrepreneurship member of the Multi Enterprise still largely seen and not heard. development, I joined the Parbati Common Facility Center (CFC), Therefore, whatever I have Micro-Entrepreneurs Group,” she Chandbela. She operates her achieved is extremely significant,” reminisces. She then participated business from the CFC itself. She is says Sangita. In a society where in the Start and Improve Your also a trainer for various I/N/GOs women lack access to control Business (SIYB) training, which and makes almost NRS 30,000 a over productive resources like guided her to choose jute jhalla month. land and money, being an as her preferred enterprise. But owner of a concrete house and she was not satisfied. “I wanted Economic empowerment has having savings in the bank is to do more, so I added boutique given her the opportunity to revolutionary. MEDEP has played training to that!” She conducts purchase assets like land, a house an important role in addressing both enterprises simultaneously. and a motorbike for her husband. issues of poverty among socially Business has become easier Her husband, who works in a excluded groups by promoting with the addition of an electric factory, is planning to leave his and supporting them to start machine for boutique worth NRS job to help her with the business. small scale enterprises. 45,000. Sangita has registered with She is also taking care of her the Cottage and Small Industries sister and contributing towards 178 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Sel Kumari Saday “My success and popularity have made people Lahan, Siraha forget my caste, which was a drawback for us before.” WIDER HORIZONS 179

A financial and social transformation

Sel Kumari Saday of Lahan in Siraha district encountered a great many obstacles in life. She was born into a poor Dalit (Musahar) family, and had gotten married to a person with disability at a young age. “My husband is disabled, but I consider myself lucky as he is extremely supportive,” she says. But, her caste and her husband’s condition added to their difficulties, as jobs were scarce. “My husband’s mobility was minimal, so working outside the house was not possible,” she explains.

IN NOVEMBER 2007, MEDEP a smile. This encouraged her to life. She could not study due to approached a few families who such an extent that she started poverty, but sends her children to were struggling to make a living teaching her husband to make good schools. Financial security and brought them together in a bamboo mudas. “He could use his has given her the confidence to group, the Namuna Entrepreneurs hands easily, and the two of us converse with people and put Group. A short survey revealed started producing mudas as fast across her ideas clearly. She is that bamboo mudas (stool) would as we could to meet the growing active in her community and be a good skill for them to learn as demand.” Nowadays, her monthly is a popular trainer along with raw material was easily available earning is between NRS 25,000 to her husband. “My success and and there was a good market. Sel 30,000. popularity have made people Kumari received 15 days of skill forget my caste, which was a development training for this. She Sel Kumari has also started a drawback for us before,” she also received some machinery fishery enterprise on 15 katthas laughs. “I was fortunate to have to start her enterprise, which she of land that she is leasing from been a part of MEDEP’s trainings. did from her home. “I sold in the the municipality. She makes My economic and social stature local haat bazar and made NRS good money from this venture. have both improved.” 2,400, which was the first income Her earnings have given her the I ever made,” she remembers with opportunity to lead a comfortable 180 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Seti Maya Mushahar “My success and popularity has made people Arjundhara municipality, Jhapa forget my caste, which was a drawback for us before.” WIDER HORIZONS 181

Where tradition and modern enterprise meet

Seti Maya Mushahar, a 40-year-old woman from Arjundhara municipality in Jhapa belongs to the socially-excluded Musahar community. The Musahars are traditionally farmers, but as her family does not own land, she was working as a daily wage labor. “There were days when I did not get any work. It was a hard life,” she remembers.

IN 2013, Seti Maya got an two more piglets. She then got services. She is also a member of opportunity to join the Start and a chance to expand her business the Swabalamban Bikas Bank and Improve Your Business (SIYB) when MEDEP helped construct a makes regular contributions to her organized by MEDEP for poor Common Facility Center (CFC) for savings account, which she says families and decided to take up group enterprise in pig farming. “will help me in my old age.” pig farming with seven other Of the total of 42 pigs in the CFC, Musahar women. “This was the 10 belong to her. In Nepal, there are large disparities first ever training of our lives,” she in the rates of poverty by gender, recalls. “We were so excited and Her business is doing well, social group and geographical also scared at the same time. We which has translated into better area. The Mushahar community did not know what to expect.” purchasing power for herself. is one such social group After the training, she along with While she made NRS 250 per day that has been left behind by her husband started their pig as a daily wage labourer, she now development for a long time. The farming enterprise, which she says makes NRS 150,000 annually. Constitution (2015) specifically is “another traditional occupation Seti Maya uses her income to mentions affirmative action for of the Musahar people”, meaning improve the education, health disadvantaged groups. MEDEP she had some ideas about how and nutrition of her children recognizes this and has been to run it. and husband. She has also risen providing trainings to socially to the position of executive marginalized communities since She started her business with the member of the Shree Krishna 1998. two pigs she already owned. She Micro-Entrepreneurs Group, which invested NRS 10,000 and bought also operates savings and credit 182 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Shanti Kumari Chaudhari “[The programme] changed my vision, Basgadhi municipality, Bardiya my lifestyle, my future, my ambition and my identity.” WIDER HORIZONS 183

On her own feet

Shanti Kumari Chaudhari, 41, of Basgadhi municipality in Bardiya district cultivates vegetables on 15 katthas of land. She has paddy on her land for four months and various seasonal vegetables the rest of the year. Shanti, who is the chairperson of Laxmi Laghu Udhyami Samuha, a micro-entrepreneurs group, makes NRS 650,000 a year from farming. “Farming is a good enterprise to have, and I am satisfied with what I make,” she says happily.

SHANTI WAS one of six children her settlement. She participated help her in the business. “Both from a poor family of traditional in an orientation program, a me and my husband see major farmers. Due to poverty she Parcipatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) potential in this enterprise and we couldn’t afford to continue school and household survey. Later, she hope to expand it further.” after fifth grade. “I had to look joined the Start and Improve after my siblings, help with the Your Business (SIYB) training “Now I am standing on my own housework and work on the farm,” and received skills training in feet and supporting my entire she says. vegetable farming. family. My children are studying in a good school. I am fully In 1995, she married Bal Bahadur “After this, I started farming on self-dependent. It was a great Chaudhari and moved into his a commercial basis, growing opportunity to take part in the family’s joint household. His family vegetables in two kattha of land program. It changed my vision, my was also poor and worked as owned by my family. I sold the lifestyle, my future, my ambition farmers. Life here was the same organic vegetables near Basgadhi and my identity. I would like to struggle to make ends meet. Bazaar.” From her savings, she convey my gratitude to MEDEP When MEDEP launched around added five kattha and so on and and those who pushed me to start her locality in 2005, she joined now farms on 15 katthas. the enterprise,” she says. as a target group member from Her other family members also 184 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Shiv Kumari Singh “I used to feel uncomfortable talking to Gol Bazar, Siraha people, now I give them advice.” WIDER HORIZONS 185

A little help goes a long way

Shiv Kumari Singh of Gol Bazar, Siraha, is a participant of MEDEP’s skill development training. This happened in 2013, when MEDEP organized a training program for low income families in the area. Shiv Kumari chose vegetable farming as her enterprise and started production in her five katthas of land with the support of her husband.

“MY FIRST transaction of NRS her son is in grade four. Her annual empowered her socially too. She 200,000 was such a boost to me earnings have now grown to NRS is the chairperson of the local that I scaled up my cultivation 600,000. “I have started saving in women’s cooperative as well as in another five katthas, which I different cooperatives and banks,” a member of the District Micro- took on lease,” says Shiv Kumari she says. Entrepreneurs’ Groups Association who has studied upto high (DMEGA). “I feel confident while school. “This time, my enterprise Shiv Kumari has received technical interacting with others and fetched me NRS 450,000,” she support from MEDEP to improve putting my views across.” NGOs adds. Gradually, as her business her enterprise via drip-irrigation and other organizations now want grew, she purchased an additional technology. She employs 10 her to recount her success story five katthas of land and started local women, two of whom are to their beneficiaries. “This is all farming on it. The money she full-time staff, to help her manage because of the timely support that earned brought her financial her enterprise. With success, her MEDEP extended me,” she says. security, which she says “is the confidence level has grown. “I “My ambition now is to become biggest thing.” She sends her used to feel uncomfortable talking a successful social worker to help children to a boarding school. Her to people, now I give them advice,” women recognize their potential daughter is in grade nine, while she says. Financial security has and work to strengthen it.” 186 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Shyamo Devi Ram “MEDEP was my saviour. I wish everyone could Shambhunati municipality, Saptari find support like MEDEP.” WIDER HORIZONS 187

Small support, significant impact

41-year-old Shyamo Devi Ram of Shambhunati municipality in Saptari district comes from a poor Dalit family. Her family lives in ailani (public) land and work as laborers in other people’s farms to earn money for daily sustenance. “I was fed up with the life my family was leading and was looking for an opportunity to change my luck,” she says.

IN 2008, MEDEP was carrying out selling my products,” she beams. and workshops. These occasions a household survey to identify Now she produces 60 to 70 have given her confidence and potential micro-entrepreneurs, mudas a month, which she sells have helped to develop her when Shyamo Devi heard about for NRS 300 to 1,000 per piece. leadership skills, which she does the project. She was identified as Her enterprise is soaring allowing by raising awareness on micro- a potential entrepreneur due to her to invest her income in quality enterprise development. There her low income status and placed education, healthy practices and are thousands of women like in the seven-day entrepreneur nutritious food for her children. Shyamo Devi who are left behind development training. “There, I She has also built a house and has by development efforts. Her case selected bamboo stool (muda) three katthas of land. Her family shows that small and meaningful production as my choice,” she members help her manage her support can bring significant says. She along with nine other growing business. changes in the lives of poor rural prospective entrepreneurs were families. “MEDEP was my saviour. I given a month-long technical With the support of MEDEP, wish everyone could find support skill training, after which she set Shyamo Devi has had several like MEDEP,” she says. up her enterprise. “I immediately opportunities to participate in started making money from exhibitions, fairs, exposure visits 188 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP) MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP) 189 Taking the leap to small from micro

Opportunities enough in Nepal Spinning my way out of poverty Above and beyond business The pull of eco-tourism Creating a buzz Proven by deed Second times the charm On his own terms The road to sweet success Spicing it up Booming in bananas Disability not a barrier to success Kick-starting a new life A true breadwinner Simple, viable, profitable: Mushroom farminhg Walk this way Learning the ropes Thriving in vegetable farming Banking on bamboo Making it in milk Riverbed farming: A boon to farmers in the Terai Strawberries Spell Success A life sweetened with honey A homegrown experience 6. A herbal soap opera ! 190 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Bidur Basnet “MEDEP was a turning point in my life. I realized Dolakha I can do better in my own country than in a foreign land if I have a saleable skill.” TAKING THE LEAP TO SMALL FROM MICRO 191

Opportunities enough in Nepal

Bidur Basnet from Dolakha always dreamed of getting on an airplane and flying to Malaysia for work. He dreamed of earning money and sending it to his family so that they could live a comfortable life.

HOWEVER, HIS plans have In September 2013, he received But he did not give up and MEDEP changed now. How did this entrepreneurship development came to his support once again. happen? In his own words, “MEDEP training, selected to learn about He added 150 more kiwi plants. was a turning point in my life. I kiwi farming, received a five-day Last year in 2017, he produced realized I can do better in my own advance course and developed around 7,000 kiwi saplings and country than in a foreign land if a business plan with MEDEP’s sold them at NRS 110 per plant. He I have a saleable skill,” Bidur says. support. Basnet was happy to start sold the fruit for NRS 350 per kg, That skill turned out to be in kiwi the new business on his private which helped him make a profit farming. In 2017, Bidur collected land with a NRS 50,000 loan from a of NRS 500,000, which he invested more than NRS 900,000 from local cooperative. He also received to improve the land and farming selling kiwi fruits and saplings. 40 plants, a pair of scissors and technology. Wholesale buyers a spray tank from the DMEGA as visit his place to buy kiwi fruit and Bidur is a typical example of how technology support. In the first saplings. MEDEP has helped turn the lives year, he was able to make a profit of people living in poverty around. of NRS 250,000. ‘I am enjoying my life and am Fed up with lack of opportunities satisfied with the income. I locally, Bidur was ready to fly to His enterprise was doing well encourage young people to start Malaysia as a labourer. He was and Bidur was satisfied with this an enterprise of their own instead debating the pros and cons of this income. Then in April 25, 2015, of going overseas for employment. with friends in Charikot when he the earthquake hit, damaging his Many thanks to MEDEP for their found out about MEDEP, and went residence along with his business continued support.” 25-year-old to the District Micro Entrepreneurs set-up. The earthquake had pulled Bidur says. Groups Association (DMEGA) in down his nursery, which was a big 2013 for more information. setback. 192 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Bindeshwor Pandit “Inspired by the success of our business, many Sunsari, Nepal youth here have started up their own pottery enterprise.” TAKING THE LEAP TO SMALL FROM MICRO 193

Spinning my way out of poverty

Bindeshwor Pandit is an icon of success for many in this small village of Sunsari slowly rising out of poverty in the south of Nepal. Pottery has been a profession for him and his fellow villagers for generations.

THINGS HOWEVER changed witnessing a huge outflow of The entrepreneurship when they merged themselves youth workforce—1,500 youth development programme has into a group, introduced few leave the country everyday been proven effective in skilling modern machines, including for jobs in the Middle East and unemployed youth, keeping an electric spinner and a mud elsewhere—revival of such them productive and driving the mixer, learned some enterprise traditional businesses have local economy. MEDEP, through and marketing skills and built sown new hopes. “Inspired by its network in districts, has been a common facility centre to the success of our business, training people from rural and house the factory. This was all many youth here have started marginalized communities to start thanks to the support from the up their own pottery enterprise. up their own enterprises which Micro Enterprise Development Nobody would want to leave the range from pottery, weaving and Programme (MEDEP), a joint country to work in the blistering beauty parlours to handicrafts, anti-poverty programme of the heat of the Gulf if you have the carpets and jewellery. Government of Nepal and UNDP opportunity to work on your own funded by Australian Aid. land and stay together with your Starting in 2018, the Government family.” of Nepal has fully taken ownership Now, they are producing five of the programme and allocated times more! They are better Currently, a rough estimate shows funds to it from the Government’s organized and have a better over five million Nepalis are regular budget. Now, under marketing strategy. The average working in the Gulf and the South government leadership, the monthly income for each person East Asian countries and each year program is being implemented in in their nine-member team is over more than 450,000 youth enter all 77 districts of Nepal. Under the $300. In the last Dipawali (festival the labour market. Only one in 10 program, there are several types of of lights) alone, Bindeshwor says Nepali migrant workers is skilled enterprises, including agro based, he sold over 500,000 diyas (clay and only three in 10 are semi- forests-based, manufacturing lamp) (worth $10,000) skilled. enterprises and services. For a country like Nepal 194 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Buddhi Purja Magar (Right) “Buddhi had exerted himself to support Parbat, Nepal the victims of the 2015 earthquakes that killed nearly 9,000 people and injured around 22,000.” TAKING THE LEAP TO SMALL FROM MICRO 195

Above and beyond business

Buddhi Purja Magar, 43, comes from a poor indigenous family in Baglung, a remote hilly district in western Nepal. He received entrepreneurship development training and access to credit from MEDEP in 2003, which helped him establish a handicraft company. Currently, his enterprise provides full time employment to 15 people, 80% of whom were living under the poverty line.

BUDDHI IS keen to transfer All this effort has enabled Buddhi and distributed them to more his luck to other poor men and to widen his horizons and not than 2,000 homeless families. He women from different districts just sell his handicrafts in the also donated USD 18,000 to the to motivate them to start their domestic market but also export victims. Buddhi’s leadership and own business. Till date, his to Australia and countries in success has inspired many others encouragement has motivated Europe on a large scale. In the to become entrepreneurs, explore around 3,000 poor women living in process, he has graduated to a self-employment opportunities the western hilly region of Nepal, “small entrepreneur” from a “micro- and lift themselves out of the circle who have started collecting non- entrepreneur”. of poverty. forest timber and providing Buddhi with thread that they process from He is not only creating Nowadays, introducing Buddhi various plants. Currently, Buddhi opportunities for local artisans, as a successful entrepreneur is is in touch with more than 5,000 but has also become a keen not enough, he also enjoys an micro-entrepreneurs who sell him advocate for the upliftment of augmented social status. He is raw materials. the poor. Buddhi exerted himself a member of DMEGA Parbat, to support victims of the 2015 Secretary of District Magars’ Buddhi’s handicraft company runs earthquakes that killed nearly Association, and Chair of the Rural a sales outlet, Saugat Souvenir 9,000 people and injured around Electrification Association as well House in Pokhara, which plays a 22,000. Hundreds of thousands as a central member of National vital role in marketing the products of people were made homeless Association for the Community of micro-entrepreneurs from 30 with entire villages flattened across Electrification Union. He is busy districts, providing marketing many districts of the country. motivating others as a social linkages and promoting their He had visited Sindhupalchowk leader, and entrepreneurship products. Saugat opened another district with necessary food and development instructor. branch recently in Kathmandu. nonfood items and medicine 196 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Mr. Chitra Tilija Pun “The community should be prepared to do Annapurna Rural Municipality, Myagdi whatever is required if they want to become successful.” TAKING THE LEAP TO SMALL FROM MICRO 197

The pull of eco-tourism

Mr. Chitra Tilija Pun, 47, is a resident of remote Annapurna Rural Municipality in Myagdi. He, along with 20 of his friends, were provided a training on becoming trekking guides. The training was organized jointly by Tourism Association of Nepal (TAAN) and MEDEP in 2010. After receiving the training, Chitra is now actively involved in the industries, while others have started to work in community lodges at Nagi, Hikot and Banskharka.

THE TREKKING route where is welcome, Chitra says, “We also he says, indicating that the eco- Chitra serves as a tourist guide have our recreational services to trekking enterprise is now moving covers places from Banskharkha to make their tour pleasant, exciting on the right track where good Dandakateri to Tikot, and Khibang, and financially worthwhile.” management has resulted in a places that draw a great many dream come true. visitors with beautiful scenery. “Since 2011, tourist arrival and Besides natural beauty, tourists earnings have increased rapidly Earnings from the enterprise is also enjoy the rich flora and fauna every year,” Chitra says. He good, and has opened other of the mountains. credits the good will of guests, avenues for chitra including sale engagement of the much trusted of farm products like vegetables, In order to develop and enhance celebrity Mahabir Pun, and rabbits, poultry, handmade paper, the trekking routes, MEDEP also MEDEP’s continued support for cotton bags as well as provided supported to establish Community the sustainability of eco-tourism employment to the local people. Dining Halls (CDHs) in five in Myagdi. The trekking route is 16 local inhabitants are directly locations in 2010. The dining halls, now an established community employed in the six CDHs, for built in 2011, can accommodate brand. Profits are invested in instance. Chitra and his fellow 20 people at one time. One charitable works like improving operators are highly satisfied by additional CDH was constructed local schools and community the business they are doing. in 2012 at Nagi with further infrastructures. He has connected support from MEDEP. The eco-tour his eco-tourism enterprise with Chitra thanked MEDEP for the packages run for 6, 8 or even 11 technology and regularly keeps in infrastructure support, saying, “The days depending on the time, touch with his foreign trekkers via community should be prepared interest and availability of trekkers. Facebook, email and his website. to do whatever is required if they While flexibility in the package “We are now firmly in the game,” want to become successful”. 198 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Ganesh Bahadur Bista “Till date, he has invested NRS 1.2 Kailali, Nepal million in the Ghodaghodi Bee-Keeping Enterprise.” TAKING THE LEAP TO SMALL FROM MICRO 199

Creating a buzz

Ganesh Bahadur Bista, 47, owns 100 bee hives and sells honey in urban markets as far as Dhangadi, Mahendranagar, Nepalgunj, Pokhara and Kathmandu.

“IN 2017, I produced 80 quintals Keeping Enterprise. In order to a social worker. He is the chair of of honey, and sold them at an expand his outreach, the honey the Province Micro-Entrepreneurs’ average rate of NRS 500 per kilo. is also marketed and sold during Groups Association; former This translates into a net profit of promotional events. He employs Vice-chair of National Micro- NRS 400 per kilo as I invest NRS at least five people during the Entrepreneurs’ Federation Nepal; 100 rupees to produce one kilo peak season. He owns a piece of Chair of Kailali Bee Keepers of honey,” says Ganesh. Two sales land at Ghodaghodi Municipality Association and former Chair of outlets in Kailali (Province 7) and in worth NRS 2.5 million, has a the Local Peace Committee, and the capital Kathmandu, have given motorbike, sends his children to an active member of the Nepal Ganesh further market outreach. private school, has a good house, Honey Bee-Keepers Association. He was able to increase the and lives a comfortable life. Ganesh, a tenth grade drop-out number of hives 10 fold within a who was forced to move from couple of years. A hive of honey Ganesh’s life took a new turn Baitadi to Kailali in 1996 due to bees breeds three hives a year. when he received a five-day extreme poverty and hardship, has And one hive produces 60 kilos of bee-keeping training organized suffered many vicissitudes in life. honey annually. He has set up a in Kailali by the Micro-Enterprise Finally his life has been sweetened hive industry and sells hives with Development Programme by the laborious honey bees. and without bees. A hive sans (MEDEP) in 2004. In the training bees fetches him a net profit of he learned how to store, purify Tej BC, MEDEP Area Program NRS 1,000 and sells at NRS 3,500 and produce honey as well as Support Manager (APSM) says, per unit. some marketing techniques. With “Currently, Ganesh earns enough technical and logistical support to be categorized as a ‘small A poor farmer of Sukhkhad in from MEDEP, he purchased an entrepreneur’ and has made us Kailali district, Ganesh had been initial lot of 10 bee hives at a total proud. We just encouraged his fighting to feed his 11-member cost of NRS 25,000 and set up a creativity and helped him identify family before 2005. Honey bees honey production and selling an outlet for his entrepreneurial changed his fate. Right from year point in his house. energy. His story is used as an one, he made good profits. Till example when we train new date, he has invested NRS 1.2 The success of enterprise has entrepreneurs.” million in the Ghodaghodi Bee- catapulted him to the position of 200 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Gaur Singh Dhami “There was very little space to work in that Naugad Rural Municipality, Darchula confined room. Often times, there was water dripping from the ceiling, gusty winds blowing away the tin roof and destroying all the materials.” TAKING THE LEAP TO SMALL FROM MICRO 201

Proven by deed

38-year-old Gaur Singh Dhami from Naugad Rural Municipality of Darchula district leads the Community Facility Center (CFC) in his village. For the past six years, he has been running an Allo (Himalayan Nettle) processing enterprise where he, along with his employees, create yarn from allo plants that are found in the forests. “We have 25 members and 21 among them are women,” Gaur Singh says. “I also provide entrepreneurship development training for potential entrepreneurs and more than 200 people have now started their own enterprise in the district in two years.”

GAUR SINGH came to into Starting an enterprise was not materials and tools, he delivers the contact with MEDEP in 2012. Since easy for Gaur Singh initially. He materials to the village itself. then, he has been flying high recalls his past: “There was little with the support of the project. space to work in that confined Besides his enterprise doing so MEDEP provided him training and room. Often times, there was well, Gaur Singh also purchases technology support to start an water dripping from the ceiling, the yarn manufactured at the CFC Allo yarn processing enterprise. gusty winds blowing away that supports the entrepreneurs The CFC led by Gaur Singh also the tin roof and destroying all affiliated to the centre. Indra received support from MEDEP to the materials.” He is thankful to Kuwan, CFC member says, “Before rehabilitate and unite 25 hardcore MEDEP for its regular support. working with Gaur Singh, I was poor people to start an enterprise To make lives easier for his receiving only Rs, 200 (US$ 2) for under the same umbrella. members, he provides them a kilogram of yarn–I could barely with all the required resources make ends meet. Currently, I for allo production. Rather than receive approximately Rs, 800 having entrepreneurs travel to (US$ 8) for a kilo of yarn. This has Kathmandu to purchase raw made life much easier.” 202 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Gopi Yadav “MEDEP taught me a very profitable skill from Nepalgunj, Banke which I have been making enough money to take care of my family.” TAKING THE LEAP TO SMALL FROM MICRO 203

Second times the charm

After getting a skill development training from MEDEP in 2013, Gopi Yadav from Nepalgunj in Banke district grows vegetables on the land he used to leave fallow. He is a successful entrepreneur making a profit of up to NRS 60,000 in peak season.

BEFORE MEDEP trained him of cultivable land. “I invested NRS transport it to the city. Following in off-season vegetable farming, 80,000 in 3,400 square meters of his success in vegetable farming, Yadav used to work as a daily land and earned more than NRS villagers suggested he lead a wage laborer in Nepalgunj. He 2 million in the same year,” he cooperative with 97 members. had tried cultivating vegetables proudly said. “From a traditional The cooperative, Radha-Krishna before too, but had failed to sell vegetable farmer, MEDEP Agriculture Cooperative, has more well in the market due to absence converted me into a modern than NRS 800,000 capital fund. of transportation. However, the vegetable entrepreneur. I have second time around has been a plans to buy a tractor to plough “We are innovative, well- different story as he had MEDEP the field and for transportation,” he coordinated, and focused to help to support him. “I had no money said with excitement. poor farmers grow more. Result to invest in seeds and fertilizer, but shows that we are dramatically MEDEP provided me appropriate Yadav’s family also supports him in reducing poverty and building skills and technology to start the farming. His wife and father work self-sufficiency,” Government enterprise,” he said. full time on his farm. He has also Support Specialist of MEDEP, started a collection center in his Laxmi Chaudhary said about the With this success, he has increased village where five people collect villagers’ initiative towards learning his investment as well as the area vegetables from 22 villagers and skills to improve their livelihood. 204 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Hukum Bahadur Basnet “MEDEP’s support has been crucial in Lalmatiya village, Dang enabling me to start and smoothly run my enterprise.” TAKING THE LEAP TO SMALL FROM MICRO 205

On his own terms

For Hukum Bahadur Basnet, 51, of Lalmatiya village in Dang district of Nepal, one theory holds strongly–live as a master, not as slave. Having spent many years serving others in the past, he says ,“Working for others never gave me true satisfaction. I also worked in India, but I was never happy.” With his hard work, and support from the Micro-Enterprise Development Programme (MEDEP), he has made a comfortable life for himself today with his own dairy farm.

“MY FIRST true happiness came in support during the initial stages of his support higher education of his two 2008 when I established a pig farm journey. “MEDEP’s support has been sons, add an extension to his house with MEDEP’s support”, he said. As that crucial in enabling me to start and and purchase a bike, car and a tractor. business grew, he started looking for smoothly run my enterprise,” Basnet The pleased father adds, “All my three other opportunities. Eventually, after a says. Encouraged by the success of his sons completed higher education few ups and downs, he started a dairy enterprise, he has also been advising from private institutions, which would farm by investing an amount of NRS his family members and society to take not be possible if MEDEP had not 1,000,000 (USD10,000). up entrepreneurship. supported me.”

Today his dairy farm produces 200 Since it began, MEDEP has helped Basnet goes on to add, “I wish Nepali liters of milk every day from 30cows. to create over 130,000 micro- youth would use their sweat and blood He sells the milk at NRS 60 per liter to entrepreneurs. The average MEDEP to develop their own country instead neighbors and at NRS 40 per liter to micro-entrepreneur earns over twice of going away to work abroad. There the village dairy. With this, his income is what he/she earned before coming are opportunities everywhere in Nepal.” around NRS 80,000 (USD 800) a month. into contact with the programme. He is also exploring options to widen Hukum leads the ‘Prime Minister the market and increase his income. Basnet speaks optimistically, “We Agriculture Modernization Project have everything here in Nepal, we Nepal’ in his area, which is known as MEDEP provided Basnet with just have to get our act together an agriculture super zone in Dang. He entrepreneurship training, skill training and do it.” From pig farming to dairy plans to keep only five of his cows, related to animal health, help to farming, the unstoppable Hukum and start a new enterprise related to access micro-credit, exposure visits, Bahadur has also recently started his vermicomposting which is directly co-operatives management training own restaurant nearby. The earnings linked to cow farming. and also technology and equipment from his business has been able to 206 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Indra Dev Sharan Bhatt “I am not only economically empowered but Dogada Kedar Rural Municipality, Baitadi also socially recognized. All the credit for this goes to MEDEP.” TAKING THE LEAP TO SMALL FROM MICRO 207

The road to weet success

With low initial investments and immediate returns, beekeeping has the potential to transform thousands of lives in Nepal’s Province 7.

WHEN INDRA Dev Sharan Bhatt such as making beehives, supplying Beekeeping has immense potential left his previous business venture bee colonies, honey processing, to transform thousands of lives. some 15 years ago, he never thought trading honey and merchandise, MEDEP has demonstrated a viable he would one day be able to earn a and tailoring goods required for model of poverty alleviation and comfortable living as a bee-keeper. enterprise in four districts of Province social inclusion through optimum Bhatt, a father of four, hails from 7: Darchula, Baitadi, Dadeldhura, and use of local resources, indigenous Pipalkot in Dogada Kedar Rural Kailali. skills and collaboration for Municipality of Baitadi district and sustainable livelihoods, according to has successfully managed to provide “I sold more than six quintals of a Gender and Social Inclusion impact higher education to all of his children honey and 90 bee hives last year study of the project conducted in through income generated from the making around NRS 700,000 2014. sale of beehives, bees, and honey. (USD7000),” says Indra Dev who Beekeeping is suitable for poor and also serves as a chairperson of the low-income groups, and is also Indra Dev easily makes up to half District Micro Entrepreneurs’ Group women-friendly. “Bee-keeping is very a million rupees annually. With his Association (DMEGA) Baitadi. “I appropriate for women as it can be sweet honey finding buyers in urban have received more than 65 awards started with low investment, yields towns such as Dhangadhi and across and felicitations as a successful immediate return and doesn’t require the border in neighbouring India, entrepreneur. I was able to educate carrying heavy loads. One woman Bhatt has his hands full, producing, my children well with the money I can take care of up to 20 beehives,” selling, and even providing made.” Indra Dev adds, “I am not only Indra Dev, who was a candidate for training, taking him across different economically empowered but also chairperson of his rural municipality, districts. Bhatt is one of the micro- socially recognized. All the credit says. entrepreneurs who, through the for this goes to MEDEP. MEDEP has support of the Micro Enterprise given people like me skills that has Hailed as a sweet road to success, the Development Programme (MEDEP), changed our lives completely,” he business of honey has brought hope is making a living out of bee- says. and prosperity to the lives of many keeping and ancillary enterprises Nepalis like Indra Dev in Province 7. 208 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Jhabi Raj Khatri “I was working as a journalist, reporting and Dailekh, Nepal covering the stories of successful enterpreneurs. Now, the table have turned.” TAKING THE LEAP TO SMALL FROM MICRO 209

Spicing it up

Jhabi Raj Khatri, 40, was working as a correspondent for a Kathmandu-based weekly newspaper in Dailekh when he met MEDEP’s local staff. This proved to be a turning point in his life, leading him to become the successful entreprenuer he is today. He has invested more than 20 million rupees in starting a new business in Dailekh. “I have recently registered a company that produces jam, jelly, juice, pickle, sauce and tomato ketchup,” Jhabi said.

BEFORE REGISTERING the covering the stories of successful technology to upgrade his process ‘Jwala Gadi Multi-Purpose entrepreneurs. Now, the tables and products. Enterprise’, Jhabi had a business have turned, and I am often producing spices. “I have now invited to give speeches at events “I have developed excellent registered two brands–Him and also on the radio, where I market linkages that will help to Shikhar and Akhanda Deep–that talk about my journey,” Jhabi says introduce my new products in will be used to introduce new proudly. He has an exhaustive the market”, he says about his products”. He gave credit to catalog of spices, selling them to future plans, “Though my market MEDEP for the turn of events in his wholesale and retail customers in will be all over the country, I will life,” as without MEDEP’s support, it his district and province. especially focus on Karnali and would not have been possible to Province 7”. fly this high”. Before starting the spice enterprise, he was also cultivating “MEDEP helped me to develop In 2010 August, Jhabi received a vegetables on his land along my personal skills, now I lead the training from MEDEP and chose to with pursuing journalism. But DMEGA Dailekh as a Chairperson,” start a spice-processing enterprise. his earnings were not enough he says, “I really enjoy empowering MEDEP further supported him to meet his family’s growing people and motivating them to with appropriate technology needs. MEDEP not only helped start their own business.” He is worth NRS 37,000. He has never him identify an enterprise that grateful to MEDEP for providing looked back since. “I was working interested him, but also provided him support, and says he hopes to as a journalist, reporting and him the know-how to use modern do the same for others. 210 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Jit Bahadur Chaudhary “Banana farming increased my family’s Pabera village, Kailali income three-fold.” TAKING THE LEAP TO SMALL FROM MICRO 211

Booming in bananas

Jit Bahadur Chaudhary, 38, cannot contain his happiness when he says that he won the first prize for model banana farmer for the second time in 2016. He had won the same prize in 2014. Jit Bahadur comes from a poor Tharu community in Pabera village of Kailali district. He is a successful micro-entrepreneur promoted by Micro Enterprise Development Programme (MEDEP).

IT TOOK him only five years to succeed he was provided some necessary start-up farmers access micro-finance services. in his chosen enterprise. Before this, he equipment as support, which included According to him there is no market and his family were involved in traditional 110 pairs of tissue culture banana seeds. problem. “The buyers collect directly agriculture. They worked in other peoples’ He recalls the starting period: “The training from the field during the summer but we land on the basis of adhiya (sharing the part was very easy, but we had missed manage the market ourselves in winter crop with the land owner). Even then, his the cultivating season, hence it was season.” Recently, he sold bananas worth family was food secure for only six months. difficult for the seeds to germinate. I was NRS 40,000 at the Far West Trade Fair. His The rest of the time, he had to cross over successful in germinating 105 pairs of yearly income is NRS 175,000 on average. to India to seek work. seeds. It has been smooth sailing since He compares his current income to what then though.” The first year, he earned NRS he was making from traditional farming, He heard about MEDEP while he was in 45,000, which inspired him to expand his “banana farming increased my family’s India. His wife Sochmani, along with some enterprise from two katthas to 10 katthas income three fold. My family leads a of his neighbors had attended MEDEP’s of land. Now there are 52 commercial comfortable life. My children go to good orientation programme on micro- farmers in his community, which is being schools in Dhangadi. I save NRS 500 every enterprise creation and development. developed as a pocket area for banana month.” He was encouraged to return when they farming. MEDEP has also supported started earning well from their various the community with four sets of water Recently, MEDEP also started a fiber enterprises, which they had established pumping machines for irrigation. processing enterprise in his community as through the support of MEDEP. demanded by the local farmers. This new Jit Bahadur and his group members enterprise involves a group of 20 women Jit Bahadur completed the entire process have established a cooperative, the entrepreneurs who are all from the Tharu including entrepreneurship awareness Sunahara Agriculture Cooperative Ltd. community. Jit Bahadur says, “we are training as well as technical skill training He is the Secretary of the cooperative happy to see this new technology adding on commercial banana farming. After that, and contributes to helping local banana value to our business.” 212 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Jit Bahadur Giri “Poor, unemployed youth should focus on Sindhupalchok, Nepal utilization of local resources in setting up small enterprises in Nepal.” TAKING THE LEAP TO SMALL FROM MICRO 213

Disability not a barrier to success

Jit Bahadur Giri, 57, has not let his disability stop him from achieving success. He thanks MEDEP for this. “MEDEP gave me the motivation to start my own enterprise,” says Sindhupalchok local.

JIT BAHADUR has become lot of money was spent in my He was leading a comfortable life a well-knownLapsi candy treatment.” He was helpless and when tragedy struck again. The entrepreneur who makes more depressed. When he recovered, he devastating earthquake of April than NRS 25,000 per month. could not do difficult tasks, hence 2015 damaged his production He supplies his products to working on the farm was out of space. His house, equipment nearby districts, which includes the question. He was looking for and machineries were partially Kathmandu. some light work that would earn damaged as well. MEDEP came to him enough to feed his family. his rescue once again, however “The candy enterprise changed when supporting him to revive his my life,” says Jit Bahadur proudly. Someone in his village told him enterprise. “With profit from this enterprise, about MEDEP and he was eager to I was able to buy eight ropanis learn new skills. It was in October Jit Bahadur now leads the Micro- (4000 square meters) of land. I 2008 that he came in contact Entrepreneurs Group in his village have invested in my children’s with the project. From then and shares his skills with other education. My son is graduating onwards his life changed for the unemployed youth who want as an engineer from Pokhara better. When he got selected, he to start a new enterprise. “Poor, University this year. I also acquired chose to learn how to make Lapsi unemployed youth should focus treatment for my condition.” candy. Once he finished training, on utilization of local resources in His disability had happened 26 he was provided with necessary setting up their enterprises”, he years ago. “I fell from a tree, broke technology to start his business, says . my backbone and was unable which soon led him to prosperity. to move for several months. A 214 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Kari Ram “I could never have gotten where I am if not Saptari, Nepal for MEDEP’s support.” TAKING THE LEAP TO SMALL FROM MICRO 215

Kick-starting a new life

Kari Ram had felt a sense of alienation as far back as he could remember. As a member of the so-called “Dalit” community in Rajbiraj, he and others from the community had long been subjected to different forms of discrimination—from being barred from entering temples and hotels and even sitting with the “high-caste” folks, to being regularly dismissed as a “Chamar”, a derogatory label that translates to “cobbler/untouchable” within the Hindu caste system.

KARI RAM had always been baffled by this Today, shoes made by the group have a great deal of confidence in addressing so kind of treatment, but had never been able become popular in Saptari as well as in many eager listeners at such events who see to do much about it, particularly given his markets in the adjoining districts, and his journey as something to aspire to. restrictive financial circumstances. For 26 production is in full swing. To keep up with years, he had worked as a cobbler on the the demand, Kari Ram has brought his two There are times, Kari Ram says, when he can streets, and as much as he exerted himself, he sons to work in the enterprise. scarcely believe the distance he’s come since wasn’t able to earn more than Rs. 4,000 per his days on the streets. And he is keen to year, hardly enough to fulfil his family’s daily With business going so well, it’s not surprising ensure that whatever he’s gained so far—not needs. that Kari Ram’s personal circumstances just financially, but also in terms of social have improved considerably. Just last year, standing and self-belief—can be used for the Until the day he found himself enrolling in for instance, his earnings amounted to Rs. broader benefit of his community, others who a training organized by Micro-Enterprise 720,000, a far cry from what he had once are facing the sort of ill-treatment that was Development Programme (MEDEP). It was been making, and one of his top priorities once meted out to him. 2008, and after meeting and talking to a has been to invest in his children’s education, MEDEP staff, Kari Ram had decided to give and the future of the family. He has bought a In this regard, Kari Ram has been actively the week-long training in entrepreneurship 1.25-acre plot of land and built a house of his at work raising awareness about the need development a go. Swiftly after that, a group own in the village. And he’s not done yet: he to end caste-based discrimination. He is was formed with five members, Kari Ram has dreams of expanding the business further also a member and former vice chairperson among them. in his hometown where he has put up a small of the District Micro-Entrepreneurs Group cottage; his plan is to hire more employees Association (DMEGA), through which he With the advanced technical skills on and increase production, taking his brand to helps to promote small-scale businesses like shoe-making that they had gained from the new heights. his own, encouraging others to emerge from training, the group of aspiring entrepreneurs poverty and improve their livelihoods through rented a house in Rajbiraj. MEDEP supported Aside from the profits he’s made, the entrepreneurship. them further with sewing machines, shoe enterprise has also offered him the frames and other raw materials—locally opportunity to visit different parts of the “My story is proof that a little bit of help—and sourced to ensure sustainability—to kick start country, participate in workshops and even a dose of confidence—can absolutely change their business. speak at a number of knowledge-sharing lives,” Kari Ram says. “I could never have gotten meetings and trainings. He says he has gained where I am today if not for MEDEP’s support.” 216 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Khadka Shrestha “Had MEDEP not trained me in baking as well Myanglung municipality, Terhathum as boosted my confidence, I would not have been in this position today.” TAKING THE LEAP TO SMALL FROM MICRO 217

A true breadwinner

Eighteen years ago in 2000, Khadka Shrestha, 41, a resident of Myanglung municipality in Terhathum district, entered the world of business with two kilos of wheat flour, a kilos of sugar, and a litre of cooking oil to make Ainthe, a traditional sweet that looks like rope. The success of the enterprise was entirely a surprise.

ONE YEAR later in 2001, the Micro- His Piple Biscuit Udyog produces about He reiterates his earlier statement and Enterprise Development Programme 70-80 kilos of doughnut, bread, birthday says, “had MEDEP not made me aware, (MEDEP) provided him a one-day training cakes and puffs daily which fetches him I would not have achieved what I have in baking cookies and biscuits. Khadka a net profit of NRS 1,000 (USD 12.00) today. Perhaps, I would not have been expanded his skills from the training and every day. He has also provided full-time able to send my children to a good started baking doughnuts, bread, birthday employment to three people and part- school”. cakes and puffs. His products sold like hot time jobs to two. When he first started cakes. As he diversified his enterprise by his business, MEDEP helped him secure He has also been helping the local baking various sweets, he stopped making a loan of NRS 20,000 (USD, 256.00) from economy and shopkeepers by purchasing Ainthe as there were others in the market the Agricultural Development Bank, goods worth NRS 6,000 (USD 77.00) every doing the same thing. which worked as the seed money for his day. And vice versa: his own products enterprise. sell well in the local market and a little in His business has grown significantly neighbouring market places. within a decade. His success has Besides supporting his six-member family, built his confidence in dealing with Khadka has been able to purchase a house Khadka says he has felt the need for people and interacting with a larger worth NRS 2 million (USD 25,641.00) plus advanced bakery training so that he can audience. He attributes his new-found save a cash balance of NRS 200,000 (USD enhance the quality of his products and accomplishments to MEDEP. “Had MEDEP 2,564.00) within a decade. The young also diversify into other bakery items. But not trained me in baking as well as entrepreneur who owns a motorbike also for now, he is happy with his turnover, boosted my confidence, I would not have sends his two children to a private school. while the people in Myanglung are happy been in this position today,” he says. they can eat fresh bakery items at an affordable price, as well as place orders for special events. 218 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Lokendra Prasad Jaisi “I feel proud when I people call me a Manahara, Dhangadi, micro-entrepreneur. Kailali ” TAKING THE LEAP TO SMALL FROM MICRO 219

Simple, viable, profitable: Mushroom farming

In 2014, MEDEP provided Lokendra Prasad Jaisi, 33, from Manahara in Dhangadi of Kailali district, a training on cultivating and selling mushrooms. This proved to be a lucrative enterprise for him as he now makes NRS 48,000 per month from growing and selling 300 kilos of mushroom every month, which he sells at a wholesale price of NRS 160 per kilo.

“I FEEL proud when people call Lokendra also leads the Juneli and the income I was making as a me a micro-entrepreneur,” claims Micro-Entrepreneurs’ Group teacher was not enough.” Lokendra who also serves as a (MEG) based in Dhangadi Lokendra’s wife helps him in his facilitator in different enterprise market. “This provided me business. “Growing mushrooms development trainings. Besides an excellent opportunity to is a simple, viable and profitable this, Lokendra works to motivate coordinate and advocate with venture. I encourage women to the youth to start new enterprises district-based stakeholders for start this enterprise in their own and guides them to improve as entrepreneurs through MEG,” he homes as it virtually needs no well as sustain their business. says, emphasizing the importance investment to begin with,” he of the group. “Though I have a suggests. “I have successfully changed my Master’s Degree in Commerce, status from poverty-stricken to practical knowledge provided Indira Rai, the Government prosperous, and I would like to by MEDEP during the training Support Specialist for MEDEP, help others like me do the same,” has proved to be more fruitful praises Lokendra and appreciates says Lokendra. He gives credit to than the theoretical knowledge I his role in motivating others. She MEDEP for helping him to receive gained in a classroom,” he added. says, “He is not only a successful a subsidy grant from the Youth entrepreneur, but also a successful Self Employment Fund, which Lokendra was working as a trainer”. She feels that mushroom gave him the impetus to start his teacher in a private school before cultivation by micro enterprises, new enterprise with 10 kilos of starting his enterprise. “I had to particularly women, can prove to mushroom seeds. change my profession as I had to be a successful way out of poverty. look after four family members 220 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Madan Magarati “MEDEP helped us grow and now others are Banepa, Kavrepalanchok learning from us.” TAKING THE LEAP TO SMALL FROM MICRO 221

Walk this way

This is the story of Madan Magarati, 42, from Banepa, Kavrepalanchok of Nepal who leads more than 3,400 entrepreneurs in his district. Madan is not only a successful entrepreneur but also a social leader whose Common Shoes brand has become very well-known.

AN ENTREPRENEURS’ group in joint venture by raising a share of all seasons. They have also opened Banepa, initiated by Magarati has NRS 5,000 each. MEDEP supported a new show room and sales proved that collective effort can them with a Business Startup outlet in Banepa bazaar, which lead to success. In just 10 years, training and also helped them to also coordinates in marketing the shoes and slippers produced by receive technical skills training. products. the Common Shoes brand are MEDEP also provided financial sold not only in the local market support to the group to create Says Madan, “We want to register but also in the markets of Pokhara a Common Facility Centre (CFC) as a company and expand and Narayanghat. where their workshop is stationed. our business, but not only in producing shoes. We want to look “When we started, we were only Initially, they used to produce for other opportunities where we thinking about the local market. 10 pairs of shoes every day with can employ many entrepreneurs But now we have started receiving the help of three employees. As and generate employment for orders from as far as Pokhara and business grew, the number of full- others too.” From the lessons Narayanghat. In particular seasons, time employees has reached 11 learned from this enterprise, especially the start of the school including one in the sales outlet. they have diversified to include year, the New Year and weddings, The company has the capacity tomato farming using the tunnel we can’t meet the demand,” to produce 50-60 pairs of shoes technique. Madan proudly states, Magarati said. each day. Each employee earns “MEDEP helped us grow and now between NRS 10,000-15,000 per others are learning from us.” In December 2007, 24 members month. They produce school, (19 men and 5 women) started a college, party, and casual shoes for 222 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Maite Bishwakarma “Today I am committed to motivating the Shivaraj municipality, Kapilvastu poor, marginalized and Dalits to start their own business.” TAKING THE LEAP TO SMALL FROM MICRO 223

Learning the ropes

Maite Bishwakarma, from Shivaraj municipality in Kapilvastu district, spent his days going to the nearby forest to collect firewood, which he then sold to local buyers. Five years ago, on one of his daily walks to the forest, he came across some people and started a conversation with them. He soon found out that the people were from MEDEP and they were recruiting prospective micro entrepreneurs for skill development trainings. Maite was happy to attend the training on rope making and soon after started his own enterprise. Maite, who is also the chairperson of the entrepreneurs group says, “Babiyo (a kind of grass used for thatching, making ropes, and brooms) weaving has brought many positive changes in my life. The biggest change is that it has given me the ability to meet my family’s needs”.

MAITE, WHO migrated to Kapilbastu are divided between all members. Some employment to four locals who make from Rolpa 35 years ago, selected the of them collect raw material from the NRS 12,000 to 15,000 per month. While babiyo weaving enterprise because the forest while others produce the rope and Maite invests the money in his children’s grass was available abundantly in the sell it in the market. The rope made from education, feeds his family of seven and nearby forest. He also took the initiative to babiyo is used in making brooms, mats meets their other daily expenses, his bring together other like-minded people and small cots. The demand for their group organizes regular meetings, solves to form an entrepreneurs’ group which is product is increasing every day and the issues related to savings and credit, and engaged in collecting babiyo to operate group is working hard to meet it. They are makes plans for the future. the enterprise. Maite’s dedication to his now planning to collect babiyo from other work was recognized with an award from forests in the area to increase production. “Without MEDEP’s support all this would the District Micro Entrepreneurs Group not be possible. I cannot imagine being Association (DMEGA) Kapilvastu in 2016. After support from MEDEP, District Forest able to stand up in front of people and Office (DFO) and local community, Maite’s give a speech. MEDEP has inspired me to Maite is today leading the Shivagadi entrepreneurs’ group has constructed a do well”. He adds, “Today I am committed rope-making micro-entrepreneurs’ Common Facility Center (CFC) to work to motivating the poor, marginalized and groups, where 11 micro-entrepreneurs from. They have installed six rope-making Dalits to start their own business.” are involved. The roles and responsibilities machines at the CFC, which provides 224 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Manoj Kumar Mehta “I was not happy with where I was; Rajbiraj, Saptari I wanted to start a normal life.” TAKING THE LEAP TO SMALL FROM MICRO 225

Thriving in vegetable farming

In 2007, Manoj Kumar Mehta of Rajbiraj, Saptari, came into contact with MEDEP and received entrepreneurship development skills training and other support. Recounting his story, he says, “I was previously a member of an armed rebel group, determined to change my society. Now I am convinced that entrepreneurship development is the only way we can change the status of poor, Dalit and marginalized communities.”

HE WAS only 14 when he lost his with technology and gave him a Through MEDEP, Manoj has father. After that, his mother took spray pump, irrigation system and gotten various opportunities to over the responsibilities of caring some seeds. ”My first income was participate in exposure visits, for him and his three sisters. Due NRS 4,000 rupees (USD 40). I was exhibitions, meetings and to family problems, however, he very happy to have that amount in workshops. According to him, could not continue his studies. my pocket.” He adds, “I spent it on such activities have helped to He started helping his mother in my mother’s health treatment”. motivate him further to develop household chores. He was at his his skills. He has started training lowest when his friends convinced Gradually, as demand for others in vegetable production, him to join a rebel group and he vegetables increased in the local a role that he thrives in. “I feel got involved in the free Madesh and district markets, his profits most empowered in my role Andolan from 2005. It wasn’t went up, encouraging him to as a trainer. I am recognized what he had expected. “I was not produce more varieties. He by the government and other happy with where I was; I wanted soon started relying on farming organizations thanks to MEDEP,” to start a normal life.” His prayers vegetables as the sole source Manoj says proudly. Besides were answered when MEDEP of income for managing his all this, he has also gotten an supported him to start a business. family’s daily requirements. He opportunity to lead the District now produces and sells different Micro-Entrepreneurs Group Mehta chose to train in vegetable varieties of vegetables (both Association (DMEGA) in Saptari. production as his enterprise of seasonal and off seasonal). He choice. As soon as he finished the makes more than NRS 200,000 training, he started a vegetable (USD 2000) annually. enterprise. MEDEP supported him 226 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Parshuram Chaudhary These leadership positions have not only Narayanpur village, Kailali increased my economic and social status, but also developed my confidence.” TAKING THE LEAP TO SMALL FROM MICRO 227

Banking on bamboo

Parshuram Chaudhary, 27, from Narayanpur village in Kailali, makes various items from bamboo to be sold in the local market and in Kathmandu. He earns NRS 30,000 every month from sales and is providing employment to three persons from his village. When he started his enterprise, he took a loan of NRS 22,000 from a cooperative. He was fortunate to have been able to pay off his loans within six months of starting his enterprise. For better security, has made a habit of saving NRS 200 daily in a financial institution.

PARSHURAM COMES from training and regular counseling Recently, he was elected an a poor family. Being the oldest, provided by MEDEP, he took a Executive Member of the District he was expected to earn and room on lease in Lamki bazaar Entrepreneurs’ Groups Association contribute to the family’s income. and started his business. Now he (DMEGA) and actively participates They had no land to cultivate produces various items made from in the meetings. These leadership crops. As a result, he entered the bamboo like racks, stools, flower positions have, “not only increased daily wage market to help feed his vase, table, sofa, hangars and my economic and social status, but family of seven. This cost him his handicrafts. also developed my confidence.” education, as he had to work from a young age and could complete As he started to progress, he Parshuram wants others to be only the primary level.. shifted his children to a private as successful as him. For this, his school so that they could get future plan includes collecting In 2012, Parshuram came in quality education. He says, “I was raw material from the community contact with MEDEP. He received recognized and respected by forest and providing it to other an enterprise development the community as a successful entrepreneurs. He wants to training and joined the Shikha entrepreneur. All this happened encourage them to produce Micro-Entrepreneurs’ Group only because of MEDEP support. various items so that they can (MEG). He selected bamboo cane I was working as a daily wage market the products through a processing as his enterprise of laborer until six years ago. Now collective system. choice and received a month-long I am an owner of an enterprise,” training with MEDEP support. After he says proudly, thanking MEDEP. 228 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Shyam Sundar Bhattarai “I had zero money in my hands at that Nawalparasi time; it was my confidence and motivation that drove me to this stage.” TAKING THE LEAP TO SMALL FROM MICRO 229

Making it in milk

With MEDEP suppport, Shyam Sundar Bhattarai had started a dairy enterprise 17 years ago, which now has an annual trunover of over 10 million annual.

AROUND 20 years ago, Shyam dairy production enterprise. “I had Shyam Sundar is also well-known Sundar used to work in India as zero money in my hands at that as a social worker and spiritual a security guard. The income he time; but it was my confidence orator not only in his village Susta made from that was not sufficient, and motivation that drove me Triveni of Nawalparasi but also in but he had no other options. He to this stage,’ he says. “I started some places of India. “I handed used to visit home once a year my business with 20 liters of milk over my business to my son, I during festivals. But after toiling for collected from 10 households and have done enough to establish several years in India, one fine day NRS 5,000 on loan from a bank. this business and will follow the Shyam Sundar decided to come Now I have four private vehicles, path of God,” Shyam said. His son back home permanently and look my own production factory and Pawan Bhattarai, also a young for a job. land. All this would have been and energetic entrepreneur, is impossible without the support following in his father’s footsteps. Fortunately for him, he came in of MEDEP,” says Shyam Sundar. He Pawan says, “I don’t think we contact with MEDEP right away. says he will always be thankful to have to go aboard for couple “That became the turning point MEDEP for his success. of thousand rupees. If we work of my life.” He came to know that hard enough, we can make more MEDEP was conducting a survey His Basistha Dairy has 14 fulltime money in our own homeland.” in his village to identify possible employees and collects more entrepreneurs, and immediately than 2000 liters of milk from 600 signed up for the training. After farmers daily. He supplies his participating in the business products to 14 districts of Nepal. development training, he chose 230 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Suratiya Kumar “The policy, once approved, is expected to Kalyanpur municipality, Siraha significantly contribute towards poverty alleviation, with more landless people gaining access to land for farming.” TAKING THE LEAP TO SMALL FROM MICRO 231

Riverbed farming: A boon to farmers in the Terai

Nepal’s vast riverbeds, especially in the Terai area, remain submerged in muddy waters during the rainy season, while becoming dry and abandoned for the rest of the year. These unused riverbeds have huge potential to be utilized for poverty alleviation of thousands of landless families like Suratiya Kumar from Kalyanpur municipality in Siraha.

RIVERBED FARMING has offered the Kamala. The average per capita water pumping sets were used for Suratiya Kumar money as well as income of the farmers has now irrigation in these farms. recognition. He is now an elected increased to over NRS 30,865 (US$ ward member of Kalyanpur 300) from NRS 4,000 (US$ 40). The The Government of Nepal has municipality. A financially and successful riverbed farming efforts identified riverbed farming as a socially-empowered riverbed farmer, on the banks of the Kamala river potential area which can significantly Suratiya says, “MEDEP enabled me have now expanded to other areas, contribute to alleviating poverty in to access unused land of the Kamala including the western banks of the Terai districts. “Under the leadership River for seasonal production. They river in Dhanusha district. It has also of the Ministry of Federal Affairs and also provided me farming skills to been introduced in Jhapa, Sunsari, Local Development, and with the earn a respectable income. I make Bardiya, Kailali, Sarlahi, Rautahat, support of the Riverbed Farming a profit of around NRS 350,000 Ramechhap and Nuwakot. With the Alliance, of which MEDEP is an (USD 3,500) per season from support of MEDEP, 1,955 landless important partner, a draft riverbed riverbed farming.” He also serves as a micro-entrepreneurs are involved in farming policy has been developed Chairperson of the District Micro- riverbed farming in nine districts of and is awaiting approval from the Entrepreneurs Group Association Nepal. Ministry,” Policy Dialogue Manager (DMEGA) of Siraha. Following of MEDEP, Bhupendra Rana Magar, successful piloting by MEDEP, by the MEDEP is continuously helping said. “The policy, once approved, is end of 2017, 1584 farmers over 56% farmers to innovate new, user- expected to significantly contribute of them women were trained and friendly, environment friendly towards poverty alleviation, with have been earning well from their and cost-effective technologies. more landless people gaining access enterprise in the sandy riverbanks of In the beginning, diesel-operated to land for farming,” he further added. 232 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Surya Tamang “My family is proud of me for my work Nuwakot and the fact that I am successful in my own country.” TAKING THE LEAP TO SMALL FROM MICRO 233

Strawberries Spell Success

In 2006 Surya Tamang, 36, from Kakani in Nuwakot took a training with MEDEP to become an entrepreneur. The young father of two girls who belongs to an indigenous nationality, selected strawberry cultivation as his enterprise of choice.

BESIDES THAT, he took the initiative. “We don’t have any organic pesticide that will help us technical skill enhancement training problems of market access for fresh produce healthy and juicy fruits”. also provided by MEDEP. As soon as strawberries. We categorize them he finished the training, he started and sell the bigger ones while we “There are thousands of young men growing strawberries in his two utilize the smaller ones for making and women in rural communities ropanis of land (1016 square meters). jam,” Surya said. who are looking for income From the first lot of strawberry opportunities for a livelihood. production, he was able to earn a Surya is making a profit of NRS Though there are opportunities cash income of NRS 5,000 (USD 50). 250,000 to 300,000 (USD 2500 - 3000) around them most are not aware. I per season which starts in October have a plan to motivate them to start Surya, a member of the strawberry and lasts till May until the monsoons an enterprise,” Surya shares his future growing farmers’ cooperative, also start. Encouraged from the profit of plan. He further added, “my family participated in the jam making strawberry production, Surya intends is proud of me for my work and the training provided by MEDEP. After to expand his growing enterprise fact that I am successful in my own the training, the cooperative from next season. He has leased country.” His wife also contributes members began making jam with 50 ropanis of land for this purpose. in his enterprise. From the profit, he surplus strawberries that were He is doing this in partnership with has been able to educate his two too small to be sold. This was a another entrepreneur Kanchha daughters in a private school. marketing idea MEDEP transferred to Tamang. “Farming will be done under them through product diversification a shed”, he added, “we only use 234 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Tika Ram Timilsena “He can scarcely believe the difference Modi Rural Municipality, Parbat MEDEP’s assistance has made in the quality of his life and that of his family’s.” TAKING THE LEAP TO SMALL FROM MICRO 235

A life sweetened with honey

Tika Ram Timilsena from Modi Rural Municipality in Parbat district owns over 55 beehives, along with one orange orchard, from which he was able to earn close to Rs. 900,000 just last year. Tika Ram has also become something of a go-to man in the district insofar as beekeeping is concerned, and is a resource person for technical training in the practice. The previous year, he had received the President’s Award for excellence in farming in Parbat, along with an additional Rs. 10,000 in cash from the District Agriculture Development Office, and Rs. 25,000 from the Regional Directorate of Agriculture in Pokhara.

TWO DECADES ago, Tika Ram had been useful in the market, beekeeping came up knowledge, but also, importantly, his struggling to provide for his family of as an enterprise with great potential. determination to keep trying. And the seven—which had included his wife, two honey bees didn’t disappoint him this sons and three daughters. Poor health This was in the year 2000—Tika Ram time: Within a year, he had expanded prevented him from taking up physically- was soon being provided trainings in to eight beehives, and was doing brisk exerting work as a wage laborer, and both specific technical skills related business, keeping up with the high neither did he have sufficient land to to beekeeping, along with enterprise demand for honey. It’s been a sweet life farm—what he could produce on the development overall, which served to since. small farm he kept was barely enough for arm him with the technical and practical his own family. Needless to say, options skills he would need to start his own Keen on sharing his success with others were limited and despair close at hand. business. To this end, he first acquired a like him, Tika Ram, with MEDEP’s technical small loan of Rs. 8,000 from the Agriculture assistance, also went on to establish the The fog lifted somewhat when, through Development Bank—which he used to Dhaulagiri Beekeeping Resource Center in some Village Development Committee buy two beehives—and that, coupled with Patichaur, from where he could pass on his representatives, Tika Ram learned of the MEDEP’s technical support, was how his knowledge and skills in beekeeping and work the Micro Enterprise Development journey in entrepreneurship began. beehive management to members of the Programme (MEDEP) was doing in the group, offer them a hand out of poverty district. Desperate by now, and resolved Although Tika Ram’s first attempt was the way he had once been. Remembering to make the most of it, he met with the rather shaky, and did not fully succeed, where he had been in the past, and where Enterprise Development Facilitator, who under MEDEP’s continued supervision, he is now, Tika Ram says he can scarcely gave him detailed information about the support and encouragement, he went believe the difference MEDEP’s assistance programme. When he considered what on to receive another advanced training, has made in the quality of his life and that skills he could develop that would be one that further boosted his abilities and of his family’s. 236 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Yam Bahadur Garbuja “Looking back he is amazed by the difference Banskharka Parbat MEDEP’s assistance has made in the quality of his life and that of his family’s.” TAKING THE LEAP TO SMALL FROM MICRO 237

A homegrown experience

As a boost to tourism, MEDEP launched a new hiking trail through the mid-hills of Parbat and Myagdi districts in 2011: the Myagdi Parbat Eco Trail. This was done with support from the community and is one of the best examples of community-managed enterprise where trekkers and tourists can enjoy the beauty of nature, including a profusion of scarlet and pink blooms of rhododendrons, punctuated by delicate orchids and beautiful lophophorus, among others.

ON THE ROUTE MEDEP provides homestay has a community dining under NRS 500 (USD 5) per meal, support to run community hall in Banskharka where trekkers while lodging facilities cost NRS homestay and dining halls and and tourists can dine on organic 250 (USD 2.5) per night”. In 2011, Banskharka is one of them. This food grown locally. Currently, there MEDEP also supported to start Magar ethnic village hugs a are five such homestays providing different enterprises along the mountainside at slightly over lodging facilities to 20 guests at a route. Strawberry, seed potato 1,500m elevation (about 5,000 ft) a time. storage (rustic store), orange few miles north and slightly higher processing, off season vegetables than Mallaj, Mr. Yam Bahadur The lodge has a central dining hall, were some of them. Now, Garbuja, 42, from Jaljala Parbat a kitchen and washroom. Tourists entrepreneurs like Yam Bahadur has committed his life to serving spend the night in a traditional are engaged in eco-tourism tourists and trekkers. He runs a old rural house that has been based enterprises to uplift their community dining hall and a slightly modified. The rooms are economic standard. Yam Bahadur homestay in Banskharka. neat, and the beds are made up earned more than NRS 200,000 with clean sheets and blankets. rupees (USD 2,000) last year “MEDEP opened our eyes by Running water is available outside from his orange enterprise. He is introducing the trekking route in for bathing, including a clean toilet thankful to MEDEP and says,“I can this area”, Yam Bahadur says. He in every homestay. sell raw materials to the orange adds, “we now earn money by processing factory established in serving organic food to visitors. We “We serve homemade and organic our community. This was made are dedicated to providing ‘a home food,” Yam Bahadur explains, possible through continuous like facility’ in our homestay.” The “guests can enjoy their food support from MEDEP.” 238 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP)

Yam Bahadur Bhujel “Sometimes we find our destination and sometimes Kharbang, Baglung our destination finds us.” TAKING THE LEAP TO SMALL FROM MICRO 239

A herbal soap opera!

Yam Bahadur Bhujel of Kharbang, Baglung failed several times in his attempt to secure a satisfying job. He worked as a carpenter, and even migrated to India and the Middle East seeking work. “Sometimes we find our destination and sometimes our destination finds us,” he says of his experience.

YAM BAHADUR comes from the Bhujel, to receive on-the-job employees. He says he makes Dagatundanda village of Baglung, training in Pyuthan. There, the up to NRS 400,000 (USD 4,000) which is known for its Chyuri team learned more about the annually. “I am satisfied with plants. There is a huge potential process of making the herbal soap, my work and will try my best to here for Chyuri based enterprises and came back to share their skills expand my business,” He supplies like beekeeping, herbal soap and with others. To build on to that, his product to Baglung, Pokhara herbal processing. the Rural Energy Development and Kathmandu. Program (REDP) provided another When MEDEP staff in Baglung three-days advance training Kharbang Chyuri Herbal Soap were carrying out a household while MEDEP helped to repair a is a good example of joint survey to identify potential micro stamping die to make their job support and coordination with entrepreneurs(MEs), Bhujel applied easier. The group also received different programmes such as for the training. He qualified support to build a common MEDEP, REDP/RERL, LFP and Dalit and was selected as one of the facility centre (CFC) along with a Empowerment Centre (DEC). Yam potential entrepreneur for making chyuri extraction machine and a Bahadur Bhujel and his success is chyuri herbal soap. After providing stamping die. proof that an integrated holistic potential entrepreneurs basic approach to micro-enterprise pays business skills training, MEDEP sent Today Yam Bahadur Bhujel is off in the long run. three out of nine MEs, including self-employed and has four local 240 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP) MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP) 241 242 MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP) MICRO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MEDEP) 243 Micro Enterprise Development Programme (MEDEP) Dhobighat, Lalitpur Nepal TEL: 01-5541949, Fax: +977-1-5541950 EMAIL: [email protected] www.np.undp.org/medep