A ROLE MODEL WOMAN
65 years old, Geeta Devi Kafle of "Janaklyan Women's Group", Mahottari district gave up the long held caste discrimination practice.
She has been a role model of the Khayarmara VDC of Mahottari district. Now she eats what so-called Dalit (Untouchable) people give her. She allows Dalits in her home. The women's group participated in the Cornerstones training and changed their philosophy toward the age-old caste discrimination practice.
In Nepali phenomenon the society is divided into caste groups with hierarchy. Those of the so-called higher caste (Brahmin, Chhetrri) discriminate against the lower caste (Dalits). The level of discrimination is inhumane to the effect that Dalits are considered untouchable and ostracized from the society.
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Success Stories
Chanamati Thapa
Hard work and determination
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“Heifer Cornerstones gave me an insight that development starts from self. I will always practice Cornerstone in my life and encourage others too," said Chanamati Thapa, member of Kumbheshwor Women Development Group.
Chanamati was born in a poor family where sending girls to school was beyond imagination. She grew up struggling poverty and holding back her desire for education. As most of the girls, she was also married at young age. She was barely 14 years old when she was married to an uncooperative and dominating man. The financial condition in her husband’s house was also similar to her parent’s home. They had to struggle day and night to meet the ends. With five years, she became a mother of three children. As the number of family grew, the difficulty too mounted. The only source of income was the occasional carpentry job that her husband got. It didn’t help much and mostly she had to go with half filled stomach.
While she was struggling through this life of poverty, she heard about CARDSN, a local NGO of Thanapati at Nuwakot district. Although she wanted to be a part of women group, her husband didn’t give consent to her. With the group’s initiation, she was finally able to convince her husband and she became a part of the group in 1997.
After two years she received a gift of two goats from Heifer along with various trainings and knowledge. She got trainings on animal management and health, group management, VBLP, gender justice, personal leadership and group fund mobilization.
"The goat brought luck in my family", said Chanamati. "It was the happiest day in my life when it gave twins in its first kidding. The goat was the only asset that I owned. We are living in a small house that belonged to a landlord and we worked on the other’s farm. I truly appreciate Heifer’s work that brings hope in the lives of people like me."
She passed on two female goats to other needy woman in her community. "I felt very satisfied when I was able to help others with these goats. It inspired me and boosted my dignity so I felt I could pass on one more goat," remarked Chanamati while passing on one extra goat.
She also got an opportunity to make exchange visit to other Heifer Project area in Chitwan and Itahari. Her husband was also one of the participants. After the visit her husband, recalling past days, confessed that he was not supportive to his wife because of his ignorance and he even beat her when she attended monthly group meetings. He promised to support his wife in every possible way. At present they have good understanding and he has turned to be a strong supporter of Heifer's work.
With the income from goats, she put up a small wheat-grinding mill (water mill) and is earning 3200 NPR (US $ 42.0) every month. She has also started chicken farming. Earnings from the chicken added to her income. She realized it was her accountability to share what she had and passed on a gift of 2 chickens. The diversified and increasing income encouraged her to buy a water buffalo. Milk from the buffalo helped to improve her family’s nutrition and income. She also took 2 ropanies (0.1 hector) of land on lease and started ginger and vegetable farming.
She also involves herself in creating awareness about health and hygiene in her community by promoting use of pit latrine, fodder and tree plantation, and discouraging the use of plastic. The villagers appreciate her leadership in conservation of the community forest and construction of gravel trail.
She also took strong leadership in construction of a community school. The women's group contributed their labor and raised fund for the renovation of the school and Heifer Nepal also supported for the project.
"Chanamati proved that hardwork pays. She is a role model to our village," said Mr. Lok Prasad Thapaliya, former vice-president of the Thanapati Village Development Committee (VDC). She is recognized in her community with her hard work and continuous effort for development.
Written in May 2004
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