“As I earned a decent amount from poultry farming in the beginning of the business itself, I am now approached by neighbours, and by even my husband, regarding ideal farming techniques and suggestions for improving their work. I feel very proud of myself.”
Anju is a proud mother and poultry farmer who really enjoys tending to her chicks and creating a good life with her husband and two sons in rural Sindhupalchowk district. However, life hasn’t always been like this for Anju.
At the age of 15, Anju lost both her parents and had to move in with her uncle and aunt. There, she was forced to work tirelessly for hours and rarely had a full meal.
In 2019, Anju was identified by CLAMP project staff as being at high risk of modern slavery. As part of CLAMP’s livelihood skills development initiative, she received training in poultry farming, based on local needs and her own interests.
After successfully completing her training, Anju received 62 chicks as part of the initiative. She took a loan from a community-based organisation and built a shed for her chickens, and has paid most of it off.
Anju’s husband has been supportive of her business and assists her whenever she needs. Their overall financial situation has been steadily improving. Today, both their children attend school. Anju has plans to formally register her business and grow it further in the coming years.