“In this existing community, people believe that they can’t accomplish anything without a male character at home, and mostly single women are seen as miserable actors. Though, I always tried to do what was right for others, thinking that ‘where there is a will, there is a way’, I was able to get support when I was most needed of it” says inspirer, Ms. Sahni Rishidev.
Ms. Sahni Rishidev is a resident of Keraun tole of Kanepokhari rural municipality from Morang District. She got married at a very young age and gave birth to four children consisting three daughter and one son. The young Sahni, since her marriage was facing different forms of violence from her husband which resulted to live separately after few years.
“It is better to live separately and work as a wage labor and run family rather than tolerating violence from husband on a daily basis” says Ms. Sahni Rishidev.
As it was very difficult time period for her to manage the house along with taking the responsibilities of four little children, therefore, decided to make a temporary thatch roof house near to her maternal home. She began doing house chores around the neighborhood, including washing dishes, mowing lawns, working in the fields, carrying sand from the river, and selling it in order to reduce the food starve of her children.
The dedication of Ms. Sahni made her to get linked with Phulwari women’s group which was formed by Lutheran Community Welfare Society in the technical support of Lutheran World Federation. Ms. Sahni started saving amount
in the women’s group for emergency purpose and education for her children.
Everything was going well, and suddenly on first of July 2022, Ms. Sahni’s home was flooded and collapsed on the midnight which resulted her to leave the house. Though at such anxious period, she remembered to report the incident to the women’s group which was then reported to the LCWS. The proactive LCWS team, within 24 hours managed to rescue her and supported with the food relief items along with psycho-social counseling to her and children.
The team provided continuous support and encouraged her to again be an an active member of Phulwari women’s group and now she has regularly and actively participating in the group discussion meeting and saving the money in the group.
Ms. Sahni says “I would like to thank Lutheran organization especially Department of Theology, Mission and Development for their support during the disaster and giving me a membership in the group and, developing saving culture which has supported me to manage during emergency.”