Life story
Surkhet, 23 Jul: I got married while I was still in Grade 11. Even after the marriage, I sat for my Grade 11 exams and continued my studies through Grade 12. However, my results were not good. I’ve appeared for the Grade 12 exams again and am currently waiting for the results.
It’s called a marriage, but there was no sindoor or potey (traditional symbols of marriage). Though the marriage took place toward the end of Chaitra 2077 (March–April 2021), the relationship didn’t work out. I now live with my parents. We reside in Birendranagar Municipality–7. I live with my grandfather and grandmother, my parents, my brothers, and myself.
The decision to marry at such a young age was immature. Although I’m back at my parental home, I run a small street business near Bhanupark in Birendranagar to make ends meet. I sell snacks like instant noodles, kurmure, dalmoth, chocolates, chatpate, and panipuri from my street cart. This is how I manage our daily household expenses.
My father works as an office assistant at the police department and is currently stationed in Surkhet. My younger brother works as a laborer in India, having dropped out of school. My other brother is currently studying in Grade 7. Just sitting idle at home made it very difficult to manage household expenses, so I started a small retail business. Doing nothing also affected me mentally. I used to feel restless, my mind overwhelmed with thoughts.
I had been thinking about becoming self-reliant by doing something on my own. I felt I had to earn something, no matter how small, and that I had to run a business—whatever it may be. That’s why I started this work.
In the beginning, my mother connected me with the local Dalit Women’s Association (FEDO). I attended a training program they offered. During the sessions, I learned the importance of becoming self-reliant and that we should not remain silent victims of violence. That training gave me the motivation to take charge and do something with my life.
At the beginning, I received a loan of Rs. 35,000 from the organization. Using the amount distributed among our group, I bought a cart and some goods to start my small business. I began this business on the 4th of Poush (around late December).
Since starting the business, I’ve been able to manage household expenses fairly well. While it’s not enough to cover everything, I’ve been able to take care of my own and my family’s basic needs. On good days, I earn up to Rs. 3,200. On average days, I make around Rs. 2,000, and on slower days, it ranges from Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 1,500. This business has been a huge support for me, especially at a time when I had nothing.
Maybe it’s because I’ve experienced what it feels like to have nothing—this small business means a lot to me. Even from a young age, I wished I could do something on my own. Now, it feels like I’m beginning to fulfill that dream. I still have many dreams ahead. For people like us, our dreams are simple. But being able to eat and wear what I want without hesitation brings me happiness.
I’ve already repaid the entire loan I took from the organization’s group. These days, I save between Rs. 200 to 500 daily in one of the saving groups. The rest, I spend as needed. I also contribute to household expenses whenever possible. For bigger needs, my father steps in. I take care of groceries like vegetables, salt, oil, and other daily necessities. Thanks to this small business, we even get to enjoy treats now and then. When it comes to buying rice, my father and I usually share the cost.
How far can we really go with just my father’s single income? That’s why we manage the household together. My mother used to sell fruits before, but due to a serious case of piles, she had to quit the business and undergo treatment. These days, no matter how much we earn, it’s never enough. For people with modest earnings like us, nothing is ever sufficient. You can’t even get vegetables for under Rs. 100 anymore. Expenses are everywhere—food, clothes, medicines. With my mother sick and someone else in the family always unwell, and a younger brother still in school, the spending never stops. Our expenses often exceed our income.
In the beginning, I worked for a year at a local mart in Birendranagar. I earned Rs. 8,000 a month, but it wasn’t enough. I couldn’t take time off when needed, and they deducted pay for any leave taken. I’ve realized that it’s better to run my own small business than work for someone else. Even though it’s small, I feel more satisfied now. I’m doing things my own way. I feel happy. I feel like I’m becoming self-reliant. Now that I’ve finished repaying the group loan, I even feel like I might start saving some money.
Life is moving forward—barely, but it is. If things go well, I plan to expand the business. I had also learned some beauty parlor skills a few years ago. In 2078 (2021), my father invested Rs. 30,000 so I could take training. But I couldn’t open a parlor due to lack of money. When I worked at someone else’s parlor, I could never earn more than Rs. 3,500 a month. So I quit after just a month. Not being able to open my own parlor due to lack of funds still hurts. If I had had the money then, my life might have taken a completely different path. But what can you do—there was no money, so I had to hold back.
If my income improves, I dream of opening my own beauty parlor. But before that, I have a big hope: to grow my cart business enough to afford a rented shop.
