My name is Jyoti, I am now a new member of one of the women’s groups in the Captivating/3AN microfinance program called My Business My Freedom in Nepal. I am married with a daughter and two sons. My husband has no source of income and work is difficult to find. I decided to start my own business so I borrowed Rs.5,000 (US$48) from a friend to start a tea-shop. I thought this would be a good way to earn money for my family.
Not long after I opened my shop, my daughter fell ill and needed medical help. This cost may family a lot and I had no money left to pay the bills. My children had to stop going to school and I had to sell the tea-shop to help pay the medical bills for my daughter.
With no income and the debt of Rs.5,000, I did not know what to do. The easy option would be for me to work as a sex worker. Although I would never want to do this, I had no other option.
Jyoti stands proudly in her shop with the My Business My Freedom program manager (sitting) always ready for support.
Then I heard about the My Business My Freedom program – a microfinance program established by 3 Angels Nepal and Captivating International, specifically existing to support women like myself who are desperate for a change and at risk of becoming victims of Human Trafficking or joining the sex industry. I knew this would be perfect for me and my family. I went through some training about budgeting, how to manage and grow a small business and how to save money. I became part of a group of women who I have found to be a great support to me. We meet regularly, encourage each other and share our highs and lows.
Andrew (Captivating CEO, seated in the middle) meets Jyoti (backrow, 2nd from left) and the women’s group she is part of.
In October 2017, I received my first loan in the My Business My Freedom program of Rs.30,000 (US$290). I feel greatly honored that this money has been entrusted to me. My tea-shop is opened and stocked with biscuits, noodles and various snacks.
My life has changed in just 3 months. I have paid back the money I owe my friend and I am so grateful that my children are back in school. I am even starting to save some money. With this program and the help that I have received, I feel confident I can keep my children stable in school and that the future of my family is looking bright.
Laxmi was married at the age of 19. Now 40, she lives in Pokhara and has a son and a daughter. Her husband is a driver but is not able to earn enough to be able to sustain their family financially.
They were in financial strife and when Laxmi heard about the...
65 SHARES
One of our programs in Nepal continues to grow in number. My Business My Freedom or MBMF aims to address extreme poverty by providing women who are most at risk of becoming victims or have been rescued from human trafficking, with microloans to start a small business.
By allowing them to...
15 SHARES
Shanti was married at an early age. Her husband works as a daily waged laborer and his minimal pay is not sufficient to provide for the family and the schooling of their children. Because of this, their daughter stopped going to school.
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As a little girl, both of Sunita's parents passed away so she had no one to send her to school. She got married and moved to Pokhara with her husband to find work. But they struggled to earn sufficient money to even eat two meals a day.
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Muna’s husband found it difficult to find work and the family were struggling to have enough food to eat two meager meals a day. When she found out about the My Business My Freedom micro-finance program, she immediately applied.
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Jyoti is married and has two kids. She and her husband work as daily laborers to provide for their family. She had always wanted to utilize her skills in tailoring but haven't had the employment opportunity or the resources to buy her own sewing machine.
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