“I was subjected to physical and mental torture for failing to give birth to a son. At times, I felt like committing suicide,” she recalled. She was finally driven out after she gave birth to three daughters one after another.[break}
After her husband went abroad for work, Chhami involved herself in social works. Chhami Kumari is now the leader of around half a dozen social organizations, including Chelibeti Community Forest, Laganshil Women Entrepreneurs Cooperative and Ratomate.
Chhami Kumari has been working day in and day out to make her community forest a model forest in the district. Last year her community forest sequestered carbon in 56.88 hectares and this year in 64.8 hectares for which the forest earned Rs 61,936 through carbon trading. She has also been providing village women loans to undertake small enterprises.
Under the auspices of Heifer Nepal, and her leadership, goat rearing in her community has been thriving. Women from 133 households in the community are involved in goat rearing and making good income. Chhami, who has already bagged Heifer International award, said gambling and drinking is prohibited in her community.
“If women wish there is nothing they can´t do. Women in politics must also work for the empowerment of women,” she said.
According to her neighbor Lok Bahadur, Chhammi is not only a role model for women in her community but has also inspired men to work toward improving the life in villages.
Now that Chammi has earned wide recognition, her in-laws are also happy. “She has done so much for the society”, said her mother-in-law Chandra Kumari.
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