Bhoj: Empowered to Earn Her Own Income

Bhoj, age 21, lives with her husband and his family in Sudurpashchim province, Nepal.  The family grows seasonal crops but this is not very profitable, so Bhoj was excited when she found out about the POWER 4 AY project as it gave her an opportunity to contribute to the family´s income.  

“I saw that the POWER 4 AY project was selecting adolescents and youths who are interested to be self-employed through vocational training and mircro enterprise training” said Bhoj.  “I received Start and Improve Your Business (SIYB) training, life skills training and financial literacy and numeracy (FLN) training.  After learning the basics of starting our own business, I started vegetable farming”.  Bhoj received cash support from the project and a low-interest loan from the local cooperative to help her start a seasonal vegetable business.  Soon after the business started, there was a landslide that destroyed everything, but the project helped Bhoj with top-up funding so that she could keep the business going.  

Today, Bhoj grows tomatoes, cabbages, cauliflowers, aubergine (eggplant), beans, radishes, green leaves and onions and she is making a good income.  “Nowadays, the vegetables from my farm are the first choice of all local markets.  As I supply fresh vegetables, the number of customers is increasing day by day.  I earn well from this, so I can support my family and I can afford to buy educational materials and clothes for the younger kids in the family.”  The support Bhoj has received from the project has also empowered her to go back to school.  “My family is happy with my progress and are supportive of my business.  I plan to continue the business further.  I also hope to resume my education as I don´t need to worry about the financials anymore.”