Urmila’s Journey of Resilience

At just 24 years old, Urmila has become a symbol of strength and resilience in Birendranagar Municipality, Surkhet. Her days begin before sunrise, preparing breakfast and getting her four-year-old son, Yub Raj, ready for school. After walking him to a nearby boarding school, she returns to her modest beauty parlour, where she greets customers warmly, offering services and selling cosmetic products. Evenings are spent cooking, helping her son with homework, and carefully maintaining her business accounts before she winds down for the night.

Behind this composed routine lies a story marked by heartbreak, courage, and remarkable transformation. Urmila was just 15 years old and studying in grade 10 when she was married. As the eldest daughter in her family but the youngest daughter-in-law in her new home, she tried her best to adjust. In the early days, she had hope, but her in-laws often criticized her for not knowing how to manage household chores or even how to speak properly. At 19, she gave birth to a son—a moment that brought joy and renewed purpose into her life.

But that joy was short-lived. A year later, her mother-in-law fell ill and was admitted to Dhangadhi Hospital. Urmila sent her husband to be with her, but he never answered his phone. That night, she received a devastating call from the police: her husband had been arrested. Soon she learned the painful truth—he had secretly married another woman from Bheriganga Municipality. He was imprisoned for polygamy, and Urmila’s world collapsed.

With no support, she moved back to her parents’ home. But even after her husband’s release, his behavior and that of her in-laws did not change. Rejection and emotional abuse pushed her into depression. “At times, I even thought about ending my life,” she recalled. “But when I looked at my son’s face, I found the strength to keep going.”

Her days passed in silence, withdrawn and hopeless—until January 2024, when a new path opened. Through her ward office, Urmila learned about the POWER4AY project, implemented by Social Awareness Centre (SAC) Nepal in partnership with Save the Children. She applied and was selected as a beneficiary.

The project gave her a fresh start. She began with a five-day life skills training, which she described as “eye-opening,” helping her build courage and make decisions for herself. Next came a five-day micro-enterprise development training. While her mother suggested sewing, Urmila followed her passion and chose beautician training.

For three months, she trained as a beautician, with the project covering her lunch, travel, and household expenses. With her savings, support from her family, and an investment of NPR 150,000, she opened her own beauty parlour. The project provided essential equipment worth NPR 30,700, making her startup journey easier. Later, she received an additional NPR 15,000 top-up support. To expand, she took a NPR 30,000 loan from a local cooperative, strengthened further by business consultations and digital marketing training through POWER4AY.

Today, Urmila earns around NPR 40,000 per month. She pays her son’s school fees, contributes to her parents’ household, manages her rent, and even saves NPR 300 every month in a cooperative. More than financial independence, she has reclaimed her dignity and confidence. “There was a time when I thought I couldn’t achieve anything in life,” she said. “But now, hearing my son say he’s proud of me makes it all worth it.”

Her father, Lal Bahadur, sees her transformation with pride:

“My daughter lacked support from family and her husband often mistreated her. This left her hopeless and distressed. But things changed after she started her own beauty parlour with support from the POWER4AYproject. Now she feels empowered and independent. She can support her son’s education and manage her expenses without relying on anyone. I’m very grateful to POWER4AY project.”

Urmila’s journey is not only about financial empowerment but also about emotional healing. The POWER4AY project helped her rediscover her courage and her dreams when life felt unbearable. Today, she stands tall, a proud mother and entrepreneur—proof that even the deepest wounds can give way to strength, and even the quietest voices can rise to shape a brighter future.