Damari Rawat Bhat, 30, is one of the active and regular participants of Bhumiraj Women Empowerment Center (WEC), formed and operated by Rural Development and Environment Management Society (RUDES) in Patan Municipality, Baitadi, Sudurpaschim Province. Oxfam in Nepal supported RUDES, a non-governmental organization based in Baitadi district, in the establishment of Bhumiraj WEC.

Damari is a role model for many women in her village. She earns about Rs. 20,000 to 25,000 NPR in a month by sewing clothes. But not too long ago she was struggling to make ends meet.

Damari got married at the age of 16. As they did not have sufficient land for farming, her husband decided to go to India in search of employment. He was working as a bus driver in India until he injured his leg in an accident. He had no choice but to return home while Damari was forced to work as a daily wage laborer at a construction site. It was difficult to put food on the table for the family of four let alone send her two sons to school. In addition to that, she had to pay for her husband’s treatment. Meeting her family’s daily necessities was a challenge.

In the course of time, Damari joined Bhumiraj WEC, through which she got the opportunity to learn tailoring. She received a CTEVT certificate upon completion of the training. She was also provided with sewing machine, interlock machine and iron by the organization. Since then, she there was no looking back for her. She slowly started earning enough to meet her daily expenses and pay her children’s school fees.

“My days are finally changing after those endless years of struggle. I feel like good days are coming for me,” shares Damari. She has started saving money in cooperatives and is slowly paying off the debt she had taken for her husband’s treatment.

Damari adds, “From next year, I will admit my children to a boarding school as I can afford now.” Her husband is supportive and helps her with the household chores.

The couple expressed their gratitude towards RUDES and Oxfam in Nepal for helping them turn their life around.