A future Mahini chose to build
Mahini lives in Nepal, in a close-knit household with her in-laws, her young son, and the quiet absence of her husband, who works overseas in Saudi Arabia. His income helps keep the family going, but it is not always enough to build a secure future. Like many families, they live carefully, with little room for unexpected challenges or long-term planning.
Mahini did not want to rely on that alone. She wanted stability. She wanted dignity. She wanted something of her own.
Before marriage, she had learned tailoring and basic computer skills. Later, she worked as a field worker, visiting homes and collecting daily savings. But when that work ended, everything stopped.
“I stayed at home for six to seven months… then I thought I should do something using my skills.”
Those months were not just quiet. They were uncertain. With limited income and growing responsibilities, doing nothing was not an option.
With just ₹20,000 in savings, she began from home. A few clothes. Small sales. Careful reinvestment.
“I started small… to see if the business would work.”
As she watched trends online, she began to see possibility beyond her circumstances.
“There were no shops like this around here… I saw it on TikTok and got the idea.”
But ideas alone are not enough. Mahini needed support, guidance, and access to resources.
Through the Leprosy Mission's IMPACT project, she joined a local cooperative where she received financial and business training. This gave her more than knowledge. It gave her confidence to take a risk. With a loan of ₹100,000, she opened her own shop.
Today, her shop is growing. She sells both in-store and online, reaching customers far beyond her local community. What began as survival is becoming something sustainable.
“My income goes into the shop… to make it bigger.”
Her journey was also shaped by what she had seen in her community.
“I went to one house… there was a disabled woman surviving with only a mobile phone. It touched me deeply.”
Mahini knows that many are still waiting for the same opportunity she received.
Today, she is building a future for her son, saving for his education, and working towards owning her own home.
“Education is expensive… I am saving so my child can have a better future.”
And she dreams even bigger.
“I want this shop to become a brand.”
Mahini’s story is not just about curiosity. It is about what happens when opportunity meets determination. Through financial and business training, people like Mahini are equipped to build sustainable livelihoods and break cycles of uncertainty.
Whether you choose a Gift of Love or shop our fair trade collection, your support helps create opportunities that last. Gifts of Love provide practical support, like business training, healthcare and education, while every fair trade and handmade purchase helps artisans earn a sustainable income with dignity.
Many of the talented makers behind our products have faced challenges similar to Mahini's, including poverty, disability, stigma or limited opportunities. By choosing their handcrafted creations, you are helping individuals and families build brighter futures through meaningful work.
Every purchase and every gift is part of the same story. A story of hope, opportunity and lives transformed, one person, one family and one community at a time.
Thank you for helping turn small beginnings into lasting change.
