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
Phula Devi Yadav
A pillar to the community
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Phula Devi Yadav of Rupandehi district is well known as an active, confident, dedicated, honest and enthusiastic person. A leader of the community, Phula is looked up by the people in her community whenever they face any crisis. She, in turn, never ignores them and lends a helping hand whenever needed.
Looking at her present socio-economic condition, no one can imagine how difficult her life was in the past. Coming from a backward ethnic community in Southern Terai, she had to face many problems as a child. She married a man from middle class family with a hope of secured future. The economic condition in her new family was not better than at her parent’s house. The only source of their income was from working as seasonal agricultural labor. The matter became worse when she soon became a mother of four children. It was difficult for her to manage a family of six with a meager income.
Her days changed as she heard about Heifer and she decided to be a part of a women’s group, “Friend’s Women Coordination Group.” Her unflinching determination soon led her to the post of president of the group.
In December 1999 she received two female goats as a gift from Heifer Project International/Nepal. Because of her dedication and hard work she was able to pass on the gifts of two female goat offspring on November 2000. Currently she has one female and one male goat.
Along with the goats, she also received trainings on Group Management, Cornerstones, Gender Justice and Basic Animal Husbandry. She has also received training on Vegetable farming, Organic Compost Making, and snake bite healing from Heifer’s project partners. The knowledge and skills she learned from the training helped her to explore the potential within herself. Happily Phula says, “Heifer has opened my eyes and changed my life. I didn’t know that I could do so many things. There are many women like me in my community who think they are helpless. I want to help these women.”
Phula has been helping these women to uplift their condition. Today Phula stands tall as a pillar to her community. Once, when her group member’s goat was run over by a car, she seized the driver’s license and procured a refund. She is rightly recognized as an effective advocate in her community.
She is actively involved in community development activities as well as community health and hygiene and environment protection. She is also a member of the “Kalika Community Forestry Committee.” She has successfully encouraged her group to protect their forest and is continuously promoting the use of a pit latrine, bio gas plants and composting organic materials. During monthly meetings, she educates her group on the proper use of animal manure, compost preparation from kitchen waste and fodder leaves. She urges her community to send their children to school and even leads campaigns against alcoholism and gambling.
Illuminating her village with electric light has always been a dream for her and the villagers of her community. Phula with her group members approached the Village Development Committee and successfully acquired a fund of NPR 30,000 (US$ 405). With a donation from each family, she was finally able to make the villagers’ dream come true.
Phula appreciatively says, “Thanks to Heifer. Today I live a completely different life, a meaningful life. I will always remain grateful and will never hesitate to help people in need.”
Written in June 2002
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