Chiri Nani Shrestha

[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_title size=”1″ content_align=”left” style_type=”default” sep_color=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” class=”” id=””]Featured Artisan: Chiri Nani Shrestha, Felter[/fusion_title][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ class=”” id=””][fusion_text]Hailing from the farmer’s community of Kirtipur, Chiri was raised under difficult conditions.  Her family’s land was repossessed by the government, followed by the death of her father and estrangement of her eldest brother.  Being denied an education as a child because she is female, Chiri, uneducated and without skill, was left financially responsible for herself, her mother, her younger, alcoholic brother and his wife and two children.  Chiri sought security in a husband, but was rejected by her arranged groom because of her illiteracy.  The humiliation of the shun scarred her so deeply, she refused any subsequent marriage proposals out of fear of being mortified again.  Poor and alone, she felt a glimmer of hope when she heard of ACP from a friend in the village. At the age of 25, Chiri joined ACP making thread as a spinner, then later was transferred into the weaving unit and finally found her niche in felting.  Now, 43, her compensation has increased tenfold since her beginnings. She is still the sole breadwinner for her ailing mother and younger brother’s family. While her financial standing has greatly improved, she continues to battle the grips of poverty.  Sadly, her niece’s education has been halted as she could not afford the fees.  Chiri fears for her niece, that without an education, she will be dealt the same humiliation and hardships she had. Chiri shares that through working for ACP, she has gained self-respect and is proud of her responsibility to her family – a duty that is expected from the eldest son. Now when asked, Chiri has no regrets about remaining unmarried. In fact, she enjoys her independence.[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]