5.5 Devimaya changes her society from her house
Devimaya Thapa Magar, a resident of Shyamgha-9, Deurali, Tanahu district, never liked the sight of drunken men around her mother’s liquor shop. She wouldn’t accept money earned from the liquor shop and instead sold chickens to pay for her education. She was ecstatic upon completing her SLC and craved further study but there was no higher secondary school in the village. Therefore, she would have to rent a room in the district headquarters, Damauli, and go to college there. It takes about one hour on foot and then a journey of 25 km by bus to reach Damauli from her village.

Devimaya’s happiness was clouded when her family did not allow her to attend college. Her parents told her that they could not afford her education and rental fees, and suggested that she stay home and do the household chores. Her family of 10 members includes a grandfather, parents, a brother, a sister-in-law and four sisters. Growing up, the family had difficulty making ends meet as only her brother was earning, as a driver. Devimaya’s mother started the liquor shop five years ago to supplement that income. Many other villagers are in the same business. Devimaya did not approve of the shop, but as it was a source of income for the family, she was unable to speak against it.

Sometimes drunken customers stumbled into their house, and it was always noisy. One group of Maoists came to threaten them against selling liquor; ironically, another group of Maoists came to drink and persuade family members to join their movement.

Devimaya was looking to escape that life in the village. Her parents also feared that their educated daughter wouldn’t get a suitable job or that the Maoists would take her away.

During this period, the security forces conducted searches in the village for Maoist cadres, who ran away and hid. Many men were accused of feeding the Maoists and were captured by the soldiers. Devimaya’s uncle was imprisoned for three months.

Fortunately, as an SLC graduate and with a member of her family having been tortured by the Maoists, the DDC selected her for a six-month training course at the Navajyoti Training Center in Kathmandu. Though she would be away for half a year, her parents were happy that she would be escaping the chaotic village for some time. It also helped that Sanumaya Gurung, a lady from a nearby village, was going for the same training. Devimaya was elated because her wishes had finally come true.

Returning home six months later, Devimaya realized that social change has to start in one’s own home. She closed down the liquor shop as a first step towards change. Then she started actively participating in other income generating activities and DDC activities. She also shared her knowledge about women’s empowerment with other women at social gatherings and in her free time she talked to youngsters about the importance of educating girls. Devimaya taught for about six months in Deurali Primary School with the help of locally generated funds.

Bharat Bhandari of Local Development Funds, DDC, says about Devimaya, “The type of training Devimaya has received is very essential to bring about positive changes in society. She used to be a very timid girl, but now she comes to the office and discusses with us about development of the village.”

Devimaya found it easier to work with Sanumaya because they had taken the training together. But later, when Sanumaya got married and went to a far-off place, Devimaya was lonely and her frequent visits around the village subsided.

However, her involvement in social service has not declined. For instance, she is involved with the Deurali Bhalaya Danda Savings and Credit Group, which was set up on 13 February 2004, using the DDC’s Poverty Alleviation Fund. Each of the 43 members, from Deurali and Bhalaya Danda, contributes Rs 25 per month, and to date the Group has saved Rs 20,498. According to the Chairman of the Group, Tej Ram Thapa, Devimaya attends every meeting and shares the knowledge she gained from the training.

After Devimaya shut down the liquor shop, her family’s only income source, the condition of the family started deteriorating; her parents were forced to reopen the shop after three months. They also work for others in their fields as they don’t own any land.

Devimaya has started rearing chicken and goats. She promises to take the family out of the liquor business if those activities generate enough money. Her mother says, “My daughter’s life has changed tremendously. She is not disheartened with the problems of the village anymore. The training has made her very courageous.”

Devimaya’s enthusiasm to work has doubled after a field visit by Mahila ko Haat to monitor her work. She says, “I realized that everyone needs encouragement to move forward.”