Samunnat Nepal’s story

Welcome!

Samunnat Nepal is pleased to welcome you to this website. We used to have a separate place at acolourfuljourney.com but now we join with Samunnat Inc. here, where you can also find the online shop, blog and photos.

Our story

Samunnat Nepal began when some Nepalese friends wanted to help women escape domestic violence and trafficking. The friends used their own funds to form Samunnat Nepal which was registered as a non-government organisation (NGO) in 2007. Kopila Basnet and Gopal Khatiwada, Kul Prasad Baral, Yog Prasad Mishra, Kedar Pokharal and Jayadharma Pokarel formed our first Board and we are grateful to them for their vision. Like all boards, ours changes periodically but we are fortunate to have had a core of enthusiastic and loyal people who have been on the journey from the start. It is our great joy that we now have at least 50% board members who are women who have been through the program.

We know that many women in Nepal are extremely vulnerable to violence and exploitation. We also know that simply rescuing them or giving them financial assistance is only a short term and ultimately short-sighted solution.

We decided to work with the women and provide:

  • Free or affordable legal assistance;

  • Advocacy and human rights training;

  • Specific income-generating skill training

  • Counselling for the women as required; and

  • Support as the women re-establish themselves and their families in new communities. We know that this was particularly important as the women are sometimes unwelcome in their home towns.

We are a homegrown, grassroots organisation based in Jhapa, eastern Nepal.  We exist to empower women who are vulnerable to violence and poverty.  We do this by providing legal support, income generation training, counselling and mentoring to women from vulnerable situations. Samunnat means to flourish and thrive and this is our hope for the women who come to us for support. We have been in our new building for several years now and still love the spaciousness and light of our new home! Our home was built with the help of the international polymer clay community.  Women who have been through programs at Samunnat Nepal are now Board members helping to run the organisation that transforms their lives.

Samunnat is proud to have started a microfinance organisation, Jalkanya Krishi Cooperative, that has become an integral part of the local community. It is a place for savings and provides small loans to help women gain independence. It has grown to have to over 300 members and operates from an office in Samunnat’s building.

Most of our income generation training is for sustainable local businesses such as tailoring, bookkeeping, pickle making, organic gardening, agriculture and catering. Some women earn their income making beautiful polymer clay jewellery which we think is unique in Nepal. These skilled artisans produce beautiful Samunnat polymer beads and jewellery which is sold online and through selected retail outlets in Australia and beyond. Samunnat Nepal continues to grow in scope and energy. We are largely sustained by the sale of our gorgeous products by Samunnat Inc., our Australian partner organisation. For vulnerable women there is now hope, colour and laughter where there was once sadness!

Wearing our jewellery is wearing a bit of Nepal’s colourful spirit. Your purchase begins a small miracle that enriches both you and the women from Samunnat Nepal. These fashion items become wages, income training, education for their children, food, medicine, and hope for a brighter future.

Working with the women of Jhapa, Nepal

The most important people in the Samunnat family are the women we work with.  In Jhapa, a woman lives with her husband’s family after marriage as is typical in Nepali culture. She is totally dependent on him. In addition, many Nepali women are poorly educated. This makes women very vulnerable to violence and poverty. Women can feel alone and isolated, unable to change their circumstances. A woman knows that if she is being mistreated and tries to leave her husband, she faces homelessness and no income to educate her children if the husband’s family withdraws support.

These women bring their own strengths, experiences and wisdom to the situations they face.  With support, encouragement and practical assistance, they can face the challenges that are ahead of them. At Samunnat, each woman’s plan is a collaborative effort. Her needs, resources and goals are part of the planning process. At the conclusion of each assessment, based on needs, reality and resources, we sign an agreement about what action is to be taken and who does what to be part of the solution.  Right from the start, women are involved in their plan and the need for working together rather than working for is emphasised.  We regularly consult with the women about future program development and their contributions shape product development and the direction of Samunnat Nepal.

At Samunnat Nepal, we have seen thwarted, defeated women become visibly stronger after earning an income and meeting other women, their didi-bahiniharu (sisters) who have gone through the same thing. They get the confidence and resources to face the challenge of standing up for their rights and making better lives for themselves and their children.

Our NGO registration number in Nepal is 1562 and the Social Welfare Council registration number is 26793.