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.
Suma Pun (28) lives with her husband and child. Her husband is 60 years old and unable to support his family. Suma joined the My Business My Freedom and with her first microloan, purchased a sewing machine to make clothes to sell.
43 SHARES
Jamuna wanted to start her own small business in order to become more self-reliant, and no longer need to leave her home and children to work in other people's homes.
14 SHARES
Our partner, 3 Angels Nepal, have been in contact with the beneficiaries of My Business My Freedom Program and found a number of them who were struggling with food supply due to the current lockdown.
49 SHARES
Yam Rana was married 13 years ago and has a daughter and a son. She and her husband struggled to provide for their family which meant they could not send their children to school. She heard about the My Business My Freedom Program and attended an orientation session. This was an opportunity she knew would help her to grow an income and be able to give her children an education.
18 SHARES
Kamala did not have the opportunity to attend school due to poor economic conditions. Her family struggled even just ensuring they ate at least a meal a day. She got married at the age of fifteen with a man more than half of her age, and who was alcoholic and abusive. Her husband left her after she gave birth to her baby girl. Being a young single mother, she had to do work hard just so she can support her daughter.
13 SHARES
Uma lives in the Chitwan district. It is the home to various ethnicity but the majority of the people living in this area are the Dalits and Janajatis. These people are considered as low caste people. The majority of them are poor because they don’t own any land and cannot get loans leaving these women open to the lure of traffickers and their false stories of money and a good life.
47 SHARES
