Microfinance Program Progress Update on Skills-Based Training
Summary
With support from The Fund for Social Enterprises Japan, NAWB provided vocational training to nine young persons with disabilities in Lalitpur and Kailali in tailoring, beauty services, motorcycle repair, and mobile repair. Several graduates secured employment or started self-employment activities. During the reporting period, NPR 180,000 in microfinance loans was disbursed to six beneficiaries for livestock farming, vegetable production, and tailoring businesses. The program improved skills, confidence, and livelihood opportunities, though concerns about loan repayment remain a challenge for some families.
Microfinance Program
Progress Update on Skills-Based Training
As part of the ongoing initiative supported by The Fund for Social Enterprises Japan, Nine young persons with disabilities from self-help groups in Lalitpur District & Kailali are completed in a 6 to 9 month skills-based training program. Their overall performance and participation have been satisfactory and encouraging.
The details of the participants are as follows:
| S.N | Participation | Address | Training | Training Center | Training Duration |
| 1. | Suchitra Katharia | Janaki Rural municipality- 7 | Beauty Parlor | Yasoda Beauty Parlor, Tikapur, Kailali | 6 months |
| 2. | Jyoti Deuba | Janki Rural municipality -2 | Beauty Parlor | Yasoda Beauty Parlor, Tikapur, Kailaili | 6 months |
| 3. | Rupa Chowdhari | Janaki Rural municipality – 8 | Beauty Parlor | Yasoda Beauty Parlor, Tikapur, Kailali | 6 months |
| 4. | Janak Balami Magar | Janaki Rural municipality -2 | Motor cycle repairing | Chaudhary Workshop, Durgauli, Kailali | 1 year |
| 5. | Jamuna Maharjan | Lalitpur Mahanagar-28 | Tailoring, | Shri Tailoring, Harisiddhi, Llitpur | 9 months |
| 6. | Luna Maharjan | Lalitpur Mahanagar-28 | Tailoring, | Shri Tailoring, Harisiddhi, Lalitpur | 6 months |
| 7. | Nira Maharjan | Lalitpur Mahanagar-28 | Tailoring, | Shri Tailoring, Harisiddhi, lalitpur | 9 months |
| 8. | Hirakaji Maharjan | Lalitpur Mahanagar-21 | Tailoring, | Vibek Tailoring, Khokana, lalitpur | 6 months |
| 9. | Nanda Gopal Maharjan | Lalitpur Mahanagar-21 | Mobile Repairing | Mobile Repairing, Khokna, lalitpur | 6 months |
This success underscores the importance of inclusive vocational training models tailored to the needs and potential of persons with disabilities, promoting both empowerment and employability. Such initiatives contribute significantly to enhancing their confidence, practical skills, independence, and future employ ability
Jamuna Maharjan & Neera Maharjan on successfully completing 9 months of tailoring training.
Following the completion of their skill-based training programs, several beneficiaries have successfully secured employment opportunities related to the skills they acquired.
- Jamuna Maharjan, after completing sewing and cutting training, has been employed at the same tailoring shop in Harisiddhi, Lalitpur where she received her training.
- Jyoti Deuba, who completed beauty parlor training, is currently working in a Tulsi beauty parlor in Bhimdatta Municipality Mahendranagar, Kanchanpur district, where she is actively applying her learned skills.
- Similarly, Mr. Janak Balami Magar, after completing a six-month motorcycle repair training program, has been engaged at the Chaudhari Motorcycle Workshop at Durgauli-kailali.
- Mr Hirakaji Dangol as he begins his own tailoring shop from his home at the local market in Khokana, Lalitpur.
These employment outcomes demonstrate the effectiveness of vocational skill development programs in creating livelihood opportunities and promoting economic self-reliance among persons with disabilities.
Hirakaji Dangol has started his own sewing and cutting work from home in Khokana, while Jamuna Maharjan is actively engaged in tailoring work in Harisiddhi.
During the reporting period, a total of NPR 220,000 was disbursed as loans to visually impaired individuals and other persons with disabilities in accordance with the approved Budget. These loans were provided to support small-scale income-generating activities based on the beneficiaries’ own business plans.
The details are presented below:
| S.N | Name | Address | Business | Amount in NPR |
| 1 | Mr. Patiram Chaudhary | Janaki Rural Municapality-8, Kailali | Vegetable | 35,000.00 |
| 2 | Niruta Chaudhary | Janaki Rural Municapality-8, Kailali | Pork / Goat keeping | 35,000.00 |
| 3 | Suchitra Kathariya | Janaki Rural Municapality-8, Kailali | Buffalo keeping | 35,000.00 |
| 5 | Lakhan Chaudhary | Janaki Rural Municapality-8, Kailali | Tailoring | 35,000.00 |
| 6 | Bindi Aale | Pokhara Sub metropolitan city -15, Kaski | Goat Keeping | 30,000.00 |
| 7 | Dev Bahadur Gurung | Pokhara Sub metropolitan city -16, Kaski | Buffalo Keeping | 20,000.00 |
| Toptal- | 180,000.00 |
The loan support is expected to strengthen self-employment opportunities and improve the economic conditions of the beneficiaries and their families.
After receiving a loan from NAWB, Mrs. Niruta Chaudhary, mother of Nikita Chaudhary, a visually impaired girl, successfully started goat and pig farming to improve her family’s livelihood and create a sustainable source of income.
The persons with disabilities participating in the skill-based training programs have shown strong interest and capability in learning vocational skills. Their participation and performance indicate that such training programs are highly beneficial and effective.
However, a major challenge identified during the reporting period is related to access to financial support for starting businesses after the completion of training. Many families of the beneficiaries expressed hesitation and concern regarding taking loans for business establishment. Parents and guardians were worried that if the business activities were unsuccessful, they might face difficulties in repaying the loan amounts to the organization.
