*Bhola Bishwakarma

With no land or property of his own, Bhola depended on daily wage labor to feed his family. As his children grew, so did his worries. Providing food, clothing, and education felt like an impossible task. Like many others from his community, Bhola made the painful decision to migrate to India in search of work. Before leaving, he gave away his ox, chickens, and even his loyal dog to a neighbor. When the dog tried to follow him, Bhola’s heart broke but he had no choice. In Mumbai, India life was harsh. He worked long hours for six years, fell ill, and was left without savings or support. Exhausted and defeated, he returned to Nepal with his family.

What awaited him at home was heartbreaking. His house was damaged, there was little food, and hope felt distant. Yet one sight moved him deeply his dog, weak but faithful, still guarding the house. That moment reminded Bhola that he still had something worth rebuilding.

Around this time, Bhola learned about INF Nepal’s work supporting the poorest families. He joined the Kala Shilla Self-Help Group, where he received entrepreneurship and skill-development training through a partnership between INF Nepal and Narharinath Municipality. During his time in India, Bhola had observed bakery businesses and dreamed of starting one in his own village. Recognizing his determination, the group selected him for specialized bakery training.

After completing one month of intensive training, Bhola received financial support NPR 65,000 from the group’s revolving fund and an additional NPR 50,000 loan from a local cooperative. With this support, he purchased essential bakery equipment and started his own business.

Today, Bhola’s bakery earns NPR 2,500–3,000 per day, with a net profit of NPR 1,000–1,500. This steady income allows him to send his children to school, meet household needs, and live with dignity. More importantly, he no longer needs to leave his family and the community behind in search of work.Bhola now encourages other villagers not to migrate unnecessarily. He believes opportunities exist at home if people are given the right skills and support. His success has inspired others; 14 new entrepreneurs have since emerged in the community.

“I learned that we don’t always need to go abroad to survive,” Bhola says. “If we work together and use what we learn, we can build our future in our own village.” Through Bhola’s journey, INF Nepal’s approach combining skills training, financial access, and community support demonstrates how sustainable livelihoods can transform not only individual lives, but entire communities.

*Name changed for anonymity

Pic: Hasiram’s Newly Constructed House

His family lived in an old house that had been severely damaged by the earthquake, forcing them to shift to temporary shelter. Amidst the struggle, Hasiram was fortunate to receive some support in the form of maize from the community, which helped them get through the toughest times. In recognition of the need for safer homes in the community, the Ward Disaster Management Committee selected Hasiram’s house based on a set of selection criteria. Soon after, the construction of a model house for his family began. As part of the process, a 7-day mason training was organized, where participants, including Hasiram, learned about building codes and construction norms. They were also involved in supporting the construction work.

Mr. Badri Panta, a local leader, shared, “We, as a ward team, along with technical experts from INF Jajarkot and the local community, have worked together to complete this model house. By completing this project, we gained more understanding of how to construct other homes. With the government’s approval of the detail damage assessment, we are now moving forward with plans to build safer houses. We’ve collaborated closely with the INF Nepal team, and with their external support, we were able to build a safer home for Hasiram’s family. We are proud of our efforts, and we’ll continue to work with all partners to support other vulnerable families in our community.”

Mr. Surendra Rawat, the ward’s technical person, was involved from the very beginning of the project and played an instrumental role in coordinating the construction of the model house. “We followed government building codes meticulously throughout the process,” Mr. Rawat said. “By using Interlock CSEB bricks, we successfully completed the model house and included toilet facilities. This experience has not only provided a safer home for Hasiram’s family but has also allowed us to develop skills among local laborers. After completing the mason training and building this house, we now have a solid foundation to build other houses in our municipality.”

Pic1: Hasiram Kami with his wife Rita BK in his new constructed house. / Pic2: Hasiram’s damaged house and it’s residue after the Jajarkot Earthquake.

Despite the many challenges they face, the ward’s team remains committed to helping vulnerable families. “We have many more families in need,” Mr. Rawat continued. “Our ward has a disaster risk management plan, and we are working to implement all activities related to DRM, WASH, and livelihoods. Coordinating with various supporting partners is crucial for us to restore the lives of families affected by the Jajarkot earthquake.”
INF Nepal, in collaboration with INF UK and PWS&D, has been implementing the Jajarkot earthquake recovery project in Nalagad Municipality, Ward No. 4, since August 2024. Their combined efforts have made a lasting impact, bringing hope and a safer future to families like Hasiram’s.

She grew up in Sunchahari-4 Suri in a family that struggled to make ends meet. Their small farm produced enough food for only four months, and the rest of the year was spent doing temporary labor work for income.

While working with her father in India, Bhim Maya met her husband. They got married and returned to Nepal, but life remained challenging. With little land, farming only provided enough for a few months, so they worked other jobs to support their family of six children.

Seven years ago, Bhim Maya’s husband passed away unexpectedly. This left her as the sole provider for her family, with no property or savings to rely on. Managing the household became harder, and she also faced unkind comments from people in her community.

During this time, INF Nepal’s Rolpa branch introduced the EDUCATE project and formed the Lumma Debi self-help group. Bhim Maya joined the group, which included 17 members, to learn ways to improve livelihoods through farming. In the group meetings, members shared their challenges and found ways to support each other.

Through the project, Bhim Maya received Rs. 15,000 to start goat farming. She bought two goats and, with her care, now has six. By selling two goats, she earned enough money to support her family. Goat farming has given Bhim Maya a steady source of income, making it easier to manage daily expenses.

Being part of the self-help group has also strengthened her ties with the community. Neighbors who once judged her have become more supportive, and she no longer needs to take high-interest loans to meet her needs.

Today, Bhim Maya is proud of her ability to provide for her family. She is grateful to INF Nepal for their support and hopes more women can benefit from similar initiatives in the future.

For women like Bhim Maya, who face immense challenges in providing for their families, even small support can lead to significant changes. Beyond financial impact, this kind of support promotes dignity and empowerment. It gives women like Bhim Maya an opportunity to, earn their own income, and make decisions for their families. It also shifts how the community perceives them. In Bhim Maya’s case, the support helped change her neighbors’ attitudes, turning judgment into encouragement. Small interventions like this also break cycles of poverty and dependence. Over time, these efforts ripple out, creating stronger families and more supportive communities.