Mr. Mohani Kumal is 55 years old resident at Patan Municipality-6 of Baitadi district. There are seven members in his family including his father, children (Son-2 and Daughter-2) as well as wife. He spent 10 years as haliya for a local landlord/ex-master, Bijaya Raj Bhattarai’s farm. Since the time, the government of Nepal emancipated the Haliya system, he was freed from such social malpractice. He is freed from Haliya though he is unlisted in government record officially.
The Lutheran World Federation Nepal with the partnership of Rastriya Mukta Haliya Samaj Federation (RMHSF) Nepal is implementing project on “Strengthening the Collective Action of Freed Haliyas-IDPs for their better Access and promoting Socio-economic Rights in Nepal-SAHAS”since last year. The project aims at improving dignified life of the internally displaced people’s especially freed Haliya communities through empowerment focused development and advocacy for their rights and access to sustainable livelihoods assets.
He is now adopting advanced clay items making enterprise at his home place. It was a main reason behind that to be motivated towards this business by participating in the entrepreneurship skill development training in “Start and Improve Your Business-SIYB” package organized by the project.
He was selected as a participant of 4 days entrepreneurship skill development training in SIYB package organized by the project. He was oriented on business plan and received equipment; baring and dyes as well as technical support for enterprise registration. He registered his enterprise in Small Cottage and Industry Development Board (CSIDB) in Baitadi, namely Rauleshwar Clay Industry.
Now, he has been producing clay items and selling at local market. He is earning NPR 18,000 (USD$ 164) on the monthly basis. He is utilizing this income in household expenses and educating his children. He said, I have a plan to expand my business and will provide employment at least three freed haliyas in future. In addition, he has planned to coordinate with local government for their supports in scaling up his enterprise.