A small initiative lead to better life; Shakila Mahihar, rising above the odds
A small initiative lead to better life; Shakila Mahihar, rising above the odds
Small shop crowded by children waiting in queue for Paani Puri, a spicy street snack, and a middle-aged women serving them. This scenario depicts the daily life of Shakila Manihar, a single Muslim woman of Gulariya, Bardiya, running a small snack shop. After her husband left, she has been living with her mother and brothers and have 3 children of her own. The family owns 2 horses (Tanga horse) and is the primary source of income to sustain their livelihood. She is also the member of Jaama Equine Welfare Group established under the guidance of AHTCS to promote health and welfare status of equines as well as improve the livelihood of owners through community engagement.
AHTCS has been providing various income generation and livelihoods training to the women equine owners to increase livelihood opportunities and build resilience. After attending the training, Shakila was motivated to start an alternative business. She realized the scope of Paani Puri within that area and pursued loan from the EWG and opened a ‘Paani Puri’ stall near Gulariya Chowk, Bardiya. She has been engaged in this business for almost a year now and is reaping healthy return on her investment. The additional income is utilized to fulfill the daily needs, provide education and healthcare to family members and look after the animals (horses feed, treatment, etc.). Shakila sums it up perfectly when she says “Albeit small, I am satisfied with this startup and now I can support my brothers in household expenses, mother’s medicine expenses and provide stationary for my children. I feel empowered and no longer feel like a burden living in mother’s house as I contribute to the livelihood of the family.” Besides boosting family’s income, this startup has proved instrumental in building her self-confidence as she now actively engages in the monthly meetings, shares her experience with fellow group members and motivates them. It’s never a smooth sailing for a single-women in a marginal Muslim community, however, she defied all the odds and rose above the adversaries and what she does now is exemplary and admirable.
She expressed her gratitude to AHTCS for the positive change in her life and hope that the organization will continue to support and empower the women in coming days. AHTCS believes that the welfare status of equines and livelihood status of the owners are positively correlated and goes hand on hand. AHTCS has been providing diversified livelihood opportunities to the equine owners to boost their resilience and secure better living conditions for both humans and the animals.
