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
Ganga Devi Khanal
“My struggle and determination paid”
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Pride and happiness exuded from her face when Ganga Devi Khanal narrates the success of her own life. Tears roll down her cheek as she sees her husband serve tea to her guests. Wiping the tears with her shawl, she says, “It is very satisfying to see him helping and supporting me in everything I do.”
Things were not this easy some 25 years ago. When she got married at the age of 13, life had many hardships in store for her. By the time she reached 17, she was already a mother of two sons. With an irresponsible alcoholic husband and old in-laws, responsibility of the whole family lay on her shoulders. She toiled hard day and night in a small piece of land they owned but the production was not sufficient for a family of six members. Taking care of the household chores, bed-ridden in laws and her children was tiring and exhausting for her. She always dreamed to have her husband’s love and support. On the contrary, at the day’s end she had to set out to look for her drunkard husband. Very often, he used to come home late in a drunken state and beat her for no reason.
Ganga had very little knowledge of animal management and agriculture. She had barely heard about nutritious food and well-being. Meat and eggs was luxurious item which they could afford only occasionally. The surrounding of her house was dirty and they didn’t have toilet in their home. Insufficiency, agony and anguish had become a part of her life. As she was searching a solution to it, she met Heifer project’s group members and became influenced with their development activities and economic sustainability. Women Groups Coordination Committee (WGCC), a local NGO working with Heifer Nepal, helped her to establish a group named "Nari Uthan Women Group" consisting of 20 Tharu and Brahmin women in August 2000. She was chosen the president of the group. They started their group saving with NPR 20 per month and later increased to NPR 50. She didn’t let her family know about the group for two months with the fear of rejection.
In 2001, Heifer provided two goats each to her group members along with trainings on cornerstones, group management, livestock & fodder management along with two goats. Equipped with skills, knowledge and animals she started to have stable income and gained self confidence. A new hope for a prosperous life was kindled, which gave her more strength to work harder.
Her hard work paid when she earned Rs. 35,000 by selling goats. She used a part of the income to improve her living condition and education of her children. She also bought a buffalo with Rs. 14,000 which now gives 6 liters milk every day. She earns Rs. 14 per liter from the sell of excess milk. Use of manure and compost increased the fertility of soil thus increasing the yield of crops and vegetables. She earned 3600 rupees from selling potatoes and has now started to grow radish, beans and rice.
At present, Ganga has five goats (2 male and 3 female) worth Rs. 18,000, a buffalo worth Rs. 19,000 and a cow. She has also constructed a concrete house, a toilet and improved animal shed.
Her contribution to her community is also remarkable. When she passed on a pair of goats, the feeling was so satisfying that she passed one more goat to another needy family. Her gift to her community is not confined to materials but also the knowledge she has gained through various trainings. She has already assisted to form four women groups and says she plans to continue encouraging and empowering the deprived women of her community to move toward better life.
She also provided a piece of land to her group for cultivation and also for the demonstration and trial of various grasses and fodders. She took a leadership to campaign against excessive alcohol, gambling and domestic violence. She also take lead to aware her community about the importance of sanitation, cleanliness, nutrition, toilet and biogas. She encourages people to keep their surroundings clean, plant trees and discourages the use of plastics.
There is long story of struggle, determination and perseverance after Ganga's amazing success. Despite dissuasion from her own family and husband she never gave up. Ganga's husband, who was against her wife's wishes and even dragged her from the group meetings, now regrets for what he did. Now Ganga is looked up as a leader in her community. Her family is proud of her and extends fullest support. She has become an example for all the men, women and children.
With beaming eyes Ganga remarks, "All the pride, wealth and respect I have earned today is Heifer's contribution and I will keep passing on this precious gift by helping as many people as I can."
Pride and happiness exuded from her face when Ganga Devi Khanal narrates the success of her own life. Tears roll down her cheek as she sees her husband serve tea to her guests. Wiping the tears with her shawl, she says, “It is very satisfying to see him helping and supporting me in everything I do.”
Things were not this easy some 25 years ago. When she got married at the age of 13, life had many hardships in store for her. By the time she reached 17, she was already a mother of two sons. With an irresponsible alcoholic husband and old in-laws, responsibility of the whole family lay on her shoulders. She toiled hard day and night in a small piece of land they owned but the production was not sufficient for a family of six members. Taking care of the household chores, bed-ridden in laws and her children was tiring and exhausting for her. She always dreamed to have her husband’s love and support. On the contrary, at the day’s end she had to set out to look for her drunkard husband. Very often, he used to come home late in a drunken state and beat her for no reason.
Ganga had very little knowledge of animal management and agriculture. She had barely heard about nutritious food and well-being. Meat and eggs was luxurious item which they could afford only occasionally. The surrounding of her house was dirty and they didn’t have toilet in their home. Insufficiency, agony and anguish had become a part of her life. As she was searching a solution to it, she met Heifer project’s group members and became influenced with their development activities and economic sustainability. Women Groups Coordination Committee (WGCC), a local NGO working with Heifer Nepal, helped her to establish a group named "Nari Uthan Women Group" consisting of 20 Tharu and Brahmin women in August 2000. She was chosen the president of the group. They started their group saving with NPR 20 per month and later increased to NPR 50. She didn’t let her family know about the group for two months with the fear of rejection.
In 2001, Heifer provided two goats each to her group members along with trainings on cornerstones, group management, livestock & fodder management along with two goats. Equipped with skills, knowledge and animals she started to have stable income and gained self confidence. A new hope for a prosperous life was kindled, which gave her more strength to work harder.
Her hard work paid when she earned Rs. 35,000 by selling goats. She used a part of the income to improve her living condition and education of her children. She also bought a buffalo with Rs. 14,000 which now gives 6 liters milk every day. She earns Rs. 14 per liter from the sell of excess milk. Use of manure and compost increased the fertility of soil thus increasing the yield of crops and vegetables. She earned 3600 rupees from selling potatoes and has now started to grow radish, beans and rice.
At present, Ganga has five goats (2 male and 3 female) worth Rs. 18,000, a buffalo worth Rs. 19,000 and a cow. She has also constructed a concrete house, a toilet and improved animal shed.
Her contribution to her community is also remarkable. When she passed on a pair of goats, the feeling was so satisfying that she passed one more goat to another needy family. Her gift to her community is not confined to materials but also the knowledge she has gained through various trainings. She has already assisted to form four women groups and says she plans to continue encouraging and empowering the deprived women of her community to move toward better life.
She also provided a piece of land to her group for cultivation and also for the demonstration and trial of various grasses and fodders. She took a leadership to campaign against excessive alcohol, gambling and domestic violence. She also take lead to aware her community about the importance of sanitation, cleanliness, nutrition, toilet and biogas. She encourages people to keep their surroundings clean, plant trees and discourages the use of plastics.
There is long story of struggle, determination and perseverance after Ganga's amazing success. Despite dissuasion from her own family and husband she never gave up. Ganga's husband, who was against her wife's wishes and even dragged her from the group meetings, now regrets for what he did. Now Ganga is looked up as a leader in her community. Her family is proud of her and extends fullest support. She has become an example for all the men, women and children.
With beaming eyes Ganga remarks, "All the pride, wealth and respect I have earned today is Heifer's contribution and I will keep passing on this precious gift by helping as many people as I can."
Written in May 2003
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