IMPACTSOFSUSTAINABLELIVINGENHANCEMENTPROJECT(SLEP)PROJECTONITSBENEFICIARIES.

1. AMODESTSTARTTOANEXCEPTIONALLIFE:

Here is the story of one woman, called Kalpana B.K, who now crosses the sufferings and moved forward in her life.

At the age of 15, Kalpana ran away to marry a boy who was a driver and belonging to a low caste. Initially, her husband was very supportive. It used to be a good marriage, full of laughter, and they had a happy time with their children. Life was bliss, in fact. Then a few months ago, everything changed. Her husband left her with three children and another baby was due in February 2016.

Kalpana started to face a dilemma when she was found taking anti leprosy medications (Multi Drug Therapy) secretly from her husband. Kalpana was reacted badly to by her husband. He stopped her eating together and strictly forbidden her to touch her own children. Kalpana was alone, and it was hard for her to cope with everyday life. She has two daughters and two sons. Her elder daughter, Smiti B.K, aged 8, was also a leprosy case. Her elder son, Tilak B.K aged 2 is a disabled boy. He has cerebral palsy.

Kalpana's all children are under 8 years old. Kalpana was not in a position to think about their schooling. Kalpana used to live in a rented house in Bardibas, 5 KM away from LLSC. She was cutting stones and sometime did seasonal works. Her physical and economic condition made it difficult for her to feed her children and pay monthly rent of the house. Therefore, she was exorcized by the house owner.

Kalpana was in a pitiable state when she came to Lalgadh Leprosy Services Centre (LLSC). She was 9 months pregnant, with three children, no food, no shelter, no family. But her eyes had a glimmer of hope that this will place a new way in her life. And the same happened. She got an LLSC family to care for her. Our international friends, donors and well wishers started contributing in reduction of her grieves.

Today (August 2016), Kalpana is very happy. She is getting food stuff from Lalgadh. Her own house has been constructed. Her two daughters are going to school now. She has access to health care easily. She is about to start pig keeping for income generation fund from Electric Aid.

In Kalpana’s own words: “I got everything here (in LLSC). My husband and parents left me to die. But I got my real parents here. I feel peace now sleeping in my own house. The situation has changed now. I will soon start keeping two pigs with the help of microcredit loan provided by LLSC. I have already built pig-shed. I am living happily and peacefully."

Kalpana and her two sons.

Kalpana’sdaughtersinSunriseSchool

SER supervisor in Kalpana's house for regular counseling Kalpana has built a pig-shed for her animals

ImpactsofSustainableLivingEnhancementProject(SLEP)projectonitsbeneficiaries.

2.DeepakSapkotaDipak Sapkota is living in Ranibas village in Sindhuli. He is

affected by leprosy and physically very weak. He has to look

after his five children, aged mother and his wife. His wife and

daughter are also affected by leprosy.

At the age of six, Dipak's father was died. His mother nurtured

him by crossing ocean of sufferings. He was married in his own village. He has three sons and two daughters. They

are all small. Three years ago, three people in his family were affected by leprosy. He was frustrated with the

situation. His wife and he were earning money, and both of them became ill. This led to big crisis in his life.

He was doing animal keeping, farming and labour works for family to live. He was able to buy a buffalo through

microcredit loan scheme of Sustainable Living Enhancement Project of Lalgadh Leprosy Services Centre (LLSC).

He was given Rs. 20000/- as a loan and he added some more money to buy the buffalo. His children and he drink

milk and they look much healthier than before. He is very happy with his buffalo. One of his daughters was also

given a school scholarship by LLSC. They are living a life much better than before. He expresses his gratitude to

the donor for their assistance in helping him to keep his independence.

3.KrishnaMayaThapa

Krishna Maya Thapa is from Tulasi village, Dhanusha. She is

affected by leprosy as well as from sugar (diabetes). She is very

poor. It was difficult for her to buy basic things due to poverty.

Animal Keeping and farming were the sources of her

livelihood. These skills were recognized by the SER staff and

she was encouraged to raise goats as an income generating

activities. Krishna Maya's children are indulging in their home

worlds. Her husband and she just living together, and they were

having difficulty to deal with their basic necessities. Krishna Maya bought two goats from microcredit loan scheme

of SLEP project. Later on, it had four kid goats, one of which she sold to meet her requirements. She expects that

a good money will come from selling the other goats and fulfill her desires. She is so thankful to the donor for the

good you do for many people.

4.SherBahadurKhapangiSher Bahadur Khapangi is from Hatpate Village Development committee

(VDC) in Sindhuli. He is a leprosy affected man who became facilitator of a

Self Help Group through LLSC. His economic condition was very poor. He

has physical disabilities caused by leprosy which hurdles in his earnings. He

started cow keeping and made it a sustainable business. First time, he received

loan from 1st year of SLEP and made a good profit. He was able to buy 6 dhur

(101.57 meter) land. Again, he has taken loan from the SLEP for cow keeping.

There is very positive impact of the SLEP project, he is able to run his life comfortably. His respect increased in

the society, which has boosted his confidence. His family and he himself has appreciated the Irish support and

help through microcredit loan.

5.SoniyaKumharSoniya Kumhar is living in Hatpatte, Sindhuli. She is affected by leprosy. She has 2 daughters and two sons. One

son and one daughter are also affected by leprosy. Her husband is in a

foreign country to do labour work. Her livelihood was mainly dependent on

farming. Therefore, she has taken a loan from the SLEP and bought an ox

for ploughing fields. Now, she does not have to pay money to others for

owe an ox for ploughing her field, in turn, she earns money by letting her

ox in use for others.

6.SamjhanaMajhi Samjhana Majhi from Harshahi VDC in Sindhuli. Her mother is a leprosy

affected woman. Their economic condition is very poor. She has been trained in

tailor's training in coordination with Harshai Self Help Group. She was

supported from the SLEP to buy a sewing machine and some cloth so that she

could make dresses and sell from the same place. Now, she is earning good

money from this business. Her life is very comfortable now. Her mother is

also very happy to see the progress of her daughter. She is now very confident to talk with others. Samjhana shared

that she has trained 30 young ladies of her village too, in sewing skills, that sounds to be very encouraging.

7.RabindraShahRabindra Shah is a leprosy affected man living in Mahendra Nagar, Dhanusha.

His wife and he both are infected by Hepatitis B. His condition was very poor.

He was given Microcredit loan from the SLEP year 2. They started selling

vegetables in the Mahendra Nagar market. Both husband and wife are very

laborious. They earn good profit from this business and they are able to send

their two children to school. One child was given scholarship from LLSC child sponsorship fund. They live their

life happily.