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The day when RUPP was implemented in the Dhangadhi municipality, it opened the opportunities for the poor and the disadvantaged groups to start enterprises for income generation. Through social mobilization process, Tole/Lane Organizations (TLOs) were formed to establish grass root level institutions (beyond ward level). While forming the TLOs, Social Mobilizors (SMs) from RUP Section of Dhangadhi Municipality supported the Tharu Community (ethnic minorities) to form Pragati TLO. During the TLO meetings, SMs oriented the TLO members about the Programme and its poverty reduction support packages i.e. credit support, from which the TLO members could be benefited following the complete process pre-defined by the RUPP. After getting in depth knowledge about the Programme and its support to the poor, three female members Ms. Krishna Chaudhari, Ms. Belsi Chaudhari and Ms. Baniya Chaudhari from the Pragati TLO came forward with the commitment to start their own enterprise of making/selling DHAKIYA, a traditional basket prepared by local materials, to engage themselves in the income generating activities. They believe this will help them to become a helping hand to their husbands in fulfilling their financial requirements of their family. All these three women were housewives from poor families although Ms. Krishna Chaudhari had completed higher secondary education. After getting the Enterprise Management Training, the three women jointly put NRs. 5,000 as equity participation for getting the credit amount of NRs. 15,000 from RUP Section for starting the business. Since these women already know the making of DHAKIYA, after receiving the credit and training on enterprises management, they started collecting raw materials - straws from adjoining Hasuliya VDC (one of the Tharu women from the same community is involved in collection of straws), and making of DHAKIYAs jointly. They have started to sell the products by visiting house to house and every shop at Dhangadhi municipality. The selling of the products continued in the same way for three months and from the fourth month, they have established a market linkage in Mahendranagar municipality, where they were successful in making deals with several customers. Their products are easily available in some of the shops at Dhangadhi. Ms. Krishna and Ms. Belsi have taken the responsibility of marketing where as Ms. Baniya with four other women from the same community are busy in the making of DHAKIYAs. They have generated employment to five Tharu women. The expansion of their enterprise is directly related to the rise in their economic status, which proves by the joining of schools by their children and the change of their living standards. Now they are planning to visit Kathmandu for selling their products. They are making a net profit of around NRs. 2,000 each. As per Ms. Krishna Chaudhari, they have become the first women entrepreneurs and have become the inspiration to the female members of their community. Now, other female members have also started the enterprise with their consultation. They have gained social respect from the community. After repaying back all the credit, they are planning to open a shop at Dhangadhi and increase the employment opportunities to other women of their community. As asked about her personal wish, she is planning to make her son a medical doctor and requests all the female members of the country not to waste time by doing nothing.
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