Kajal was a shy and isolated teenage girl from the lowest Dalit caste in Nepal. Her parents struggled to make ends meet as seasonal labourers. It wasn’t in her family culture to value education, especially for older girls, and Kajal didn’t go to school very often. In fact, she rarely left the house.

When you hear Kajal’s story, it’s almost unbelievable to find out that she has set up a successful shop that now keeps her whole family out of poverty. She’s found her confidence. All she needed was a helping hand from a project partly funded by INF supporters.

Here’s her story in her own words.

I feared speaking to others

“I’m Kajal, a 15 year-old girl. My life used to be confined to home and school (when I attended). I feared speaking to others, especially strangers, who might ridicule or harass me. I often trembled when trying to communicate. I primarily spoke my mother tongue and faced difficulties understanding Nepali.

“The turning point in my life came when the Asha project came to my community and set up the SAMVAD centre – a place to equip girls like me. My family were unsure about me attending, but I could see the opportunity it offered.

“At the centre, I learned skills like effective communication, decision making, problem-solving techniques, and public speaking – all things I had found so hard before. I also gained awareness of social issues like child marriage and caste-based discrimination and how to address them.

“Before, I barely had the nerve to speak to others, but now I was helping lead a public awareness campaign in my community. I realised I could do these things!”

They helped me write a business plan

“The Asha project also aimed to equip adolescent girls to improve their families’ income. With their help, I developed a Family Development Plan and my own business plan. The project gave me a small grant as a start-up fund. That enabled me to put my plan into action. I opened a shop, stocking it with a variety of cosmetics and groceries.

“I started making a small profit right away, but over the next six months, things took off. My business expanded significantly, and I used my profits to invest in more stock and a fridge to sell cold drinks.

“Thanks to my business income, my family no longer worries about daily expenses, and I can finally afford to continue my education. My family now supports me in running the shop! Seeing the transformation in me and our lives has filled them with pride and joy.”

It transformed my family and my future

“The Asha project didn’t just change my life — it transformed our family. My dream is to become a nurse, and with my shop’s earnings, I am confident I can achieve it. I’m grateful for guiding me on this path, and I share my story with other young girls in the community to inspire them to believe in themselves and strive for a brighter future.”

The Asha project is delivered by INF’s partner SAHAS Nepal. A grant from the Guernsey Overseas Aid and Development Commission is helping to power this project.