Kalpati Devi Chaudhary
My name is Kalpati Devi Chaudhary. I am 34 years old and a woman living with a physical disability. I live in Jirabhawani-1, Mahadevpatti, with my husband, my 16-year-old son, and my 15-year-old daughter. Life has not been easy. Because of my disability, my children have struggled to access education, and we have faced many financial hardships. My husband works as a laborer at construction sites, but his income is very limited.
At one point, I had the opportunity to learn sewing and even received a sewing machine. I was able to stitch my own clothes my blouse, my petticoat but despite my skills, people were hesitant to trust me with their clothing because of my disability. That rejection was painful.
Then, WE Nepal entered my life and gave me new hope. They trained me in handmade jewelry making and also provided work so I could start earning. Although I cannot work as fast or as much as others due to difficulty in using my fingers, I have still managed to earn around Rs.13,000 so far. This income has brought real change I use it to buy vegetables and daily necessities, which we couldn’t afford from just my husband’s earnings. I’ve even managed to save a little money for emergencies.
I also contribute Rs.100 monthly to our Samuha (women’s group). This simple act of saving makes me feel proud. I’m grateful that I can work from home, earn with dignity, and contribute to my family’s needs. My husband is proud of me too.
Being part of the Samuha has been a blessing. It’s not just a group, it’s a space where we share our joys and struggles, where we support each other like sisters. I believe that if we continue to strengthen our Samuha, we can reach more women like me women who need a chance, a skill, and a community.
For this journey, I extend my heartfelt thanks to WE Nepal and Tewa. Because of their support, I have found not only a source of income but also a sense of belonging and purpose.
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