Khushbu Kumari, Kagaria Bihar

Willpower is her way forward

Khushbu is a happy woman today. When Kushbu got married, her in-laws didn’t allow her to work outside. Her husband earns only a small salary from a private school and Kushbu wanted to do something to support the family.

Her life has taken a new turn when she learned about animal husbandry organized by Kosi Dalit Vikas Samiti (KDVS). She knew that if she earns from work her in-laws will recognize her.

In March of 2018, she took $ 200 from the Community Resilience Fund from her SHG and contributed $ 270 from her own savings. With $ 470 she bought a cow that gives 8 liters milk a day. She also got a cow calf along.

Now Khusbu started earning $ 100 every month. During the lockdown when her husband lost his job, it was difficult to run the big family. Her cow calf grew and gave birth and in lockdown her mother cow also gave birth. In this crisis period she has two cows give 15 litres of milk every day. To market the milk efficiently she talked to Sudha Milk (Government dairy) and gave milk at collection point every day.

During the COVID pandemic, Lalita distributed free milk to poor families where they had children for two months. This was a big relief for many families.

Now she increased the price for milk and earned $ 150 as profit every month.

Lalita says “The small amount of Community Resilience Fund was a big support in the crisis, it increased my respect in family and community as well as increased my role in the family decisions making process.”

Editor : Gautam Kumar