“We are fortunate to be part of such a wonderful program.”
Sanukanchi proudly shared, “After my lessons from Mentors International, our income and savings increased by about 25%. My husband and I have received technical support and have learned valuable entrepreneurial skills. Our work has become easier, our confidence levels have increased, and we have started dreaming of a better future. We want to express our deepest gratitude to Mentors International and our mentors for all they do for us.”
Sanukanchi lives in the Makawanpur district of Nepal. She completed a few years of schooling in her younger years, but didn’t have much more than a primary school education. Together with her husband and son, they are farmers by profession. She lives with her husband, a son, a daughter-in-law, and a granddaughter.
Before meeting Mentors International, this family practiced traditional subsistence farming. They were living day to day and just doing what they had always done. According to Sanukanchi, they were ignorant about new technologies and systems for farming and animal husbandry. This was one of the reasons they were not making much profit compared to all the work and effort they were putting into their farming enterprise. As a result, they felt like their efforts were going to waste. But they didn’t know what to do or whom to turn to for help and support.
They were very excited when Mentors International started serving and mentoring in their district. Sanukanchi took the lead and started going to classes first. Since then, the whole family has been receiving Business Training and regular one-on-one mentoring.
Sanukanchi and her husband first invested in a new polyhouse (greenhouse). Utilizing their new training about polyhouse, they can get two harvests a year instead of one. This family is farming vegetables and other crops on about 1.25 acres. They also have two water buffaloes and ten goats. Sanukanchi has increased their income by selling milk and butter. In addition, they raise and sell goats for their meat.
Today, Sanukanchi has been taking micro-loans when needed and investing in her farming enterprises and paying back her loans on time. The lessons about recordkeeping and budgeting had helped her know when it was time to take a loan. Now, as her income and savings are increasing, she is working to save first, before purchasing and investing in new equipment or animals in their farming enterprise.
All these improvements have increased their self-confidence in their farming. Sanukanchi expresses her satisfaction by saying, “The various training through the Mentors International program has been providing vital support in our agriculture production and animal raising efforts. Our income has increased significantly. We are fortunate to be part of such a wonderful program.”
