Hetauda (Makawanpur), July 12: Bishnu Kumari Rai from Piple, Hetauda-5 was an ordinary woman engaged fully in household works as recent as 12 years back. But her status has changed now.
With the change in her status, the society, which regarded her simply as a housewife a decade back, is seeking her assistance in spurring woodcrafts business, training and running enterprises.
Images of a person in neat and tidy dress, a well-equipped office, a computer set up, files and a monthly income are common among us when it comes to think about employed people. Bishnu Kumari’s office is however different- it is a workshop filled with timber splinters and wood dust.
After accomplishing household routines in the morning, she applies her skills on wooden blocks, planks and other materials to finish beautiful carvings. Bishnu Kumari engages in such creative works from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm every day.
At a time when tens of hundreds of young Nepalis leave country for overseas job every day, woman’s engagement in creative works like this is a challenge, new to many. But Bishnu Kumari has huge respect to her work. She exudes confidence, as she finds her identity in the crafts. She is tired with physical works throughout the day, but enthusiasm does not subside in her, which keeps her continuing the job.
“I eagerly wait for the passage of night so that I can go back to work at day,” she said with a smile.
Before beginning the woodcraft, she was tied to household chores like caring for livestock, collecting firewood and fodder. She used to visit Piplepokhara Community Forest for firewood and fodder.
Once the Community Forest launched the concepts of green employment and forest-based enterprise, it helped the middle-age woman think her life differently that she could begin works and make earning. The locals did not believe in her decision that a woman could also do woodwork.
For launching the woodcraft, she took a relevant training provided by Community Forest that aimed at fostering women entrepreneurship. It was the same training that changed the course of Bishnu Kumari’s life. The training not only taught her skills but also spurred enthusiasm and passion for works. She ultimately decided to begin wooden handicrafts as a business.
Currently, the ‘Working Women Wooden Handicraft Micro-Enterprises’ is being run under her leadership, which is producing materials collectively and making a good income.
She reminds a proverb ‘united we stand, divided we break’ and underlines the need of collective efforts and consistency for success. Bishnu Kumari added, “We work in a group. One’s skill complements to other and results in strength and success. It has resulted in increased production and income as well.”
The women’s group has been producing dozens of materials, including door frames, photo frames, bell frames, souvenirs, decorative goods and other artistic designs applied in furniture. Various kinds of wood, which are wasted in the forest, are utilized by the women for woodcraft.
The Ashmita Nepal had provided her the training with the support of APF Net. It fostered entrepreneurs and instilled confidence in women like her. They were also assisted necessary tools and further opportunities to augment entrepreneurship.
Importantly, the 43-year-old has an appetite for learning. Eagerness and consistency are her mantra. Now, she has begun receiving invitation from various organizations and local governments to provide training. Bishnu Kumari said she was happy to get such request so that she could cater skills and knowledge to other women.
Lately, the Green Foundation Nepal has provided significant support to Bishnu kumari in market expansion by ensuring her participation in national and international exhibitions.
“In the beginning, I was mocked at by many. It was perceived that woodwork is not woman’s niche. Even my own family did not trust me. But it is reverse now- people praise me and hail my work.” She suggests achieving success requires willpower, consistency and opportunity.
Currently, the wood items produced by her group are sold to various cities, including Kathmandu, across the country, through Koseli Ghar, and other organizations. The Piplepokhara Community Forest is continuous source for her to continue enterprise because it provides adequate raw materials.RSS #nepal
