The Women's Center: skills, literacy and a first income.

Now entering its third year, the center is a three-room space on the main road, open to women of all ages who join through a formal application. Members elect a leadership committee every year, and Director Dhankumari Shahi runs the programs. More than 50 women are active. The full membership meets at least three times a year over a shared meal, and year-end awards of rice and lentils recognize the most active members.

THE WOMEN'S CENTER

Beginner and advanced classes run every day. Women learn to make kurta suruwaal and cholo and earn commission-based wages for what they produce. The center sews the school's uniforms, which keeps them cheaper for families, and sells clothing and fabric from a shop facing the main road. In 2026 a trainer is joining for three months to teach advanced techniques.

Women's cooperative, in pilot. We are setting up a women-owned cooperative so members can sell their goods in the United States, with profits returned to the women who made them.

10+

sewing machines

3 months

of advanced training in 2026

RUNNING SINCE 2025

Many of the women who join left school early or never attended. Small groups practice reading, writing and handwriting in Nepali, so they can read a book, write a message and help with their children's schoolwork.

Open

class sessions

$300

annual costs

RUNNING SINCE 2025

The fund began with 10 women: nine bought goats and one opened a small shop in the village. It now stands at Rs. 3,00,000 (about $2,083) and circulates among the members, so each repaid loan goes out again to the next applicant. A first loan is up to Rs. 10,000 for animal husbandry, and repaying it opens a second loan of up to Rs. 20,000 for a wider range of businesses. Every borrower completes financial literacy workshops, and our staff check in with each one monthly.

2 tiers

Rs. 10,000, then Rs. 20,000

Rs. 3,00,000

in the revolving fund

RUNNING SINCE 2025

Access to modern farming techniques is limited in Sanni Triveni. In 2026 we are building one greenhouse at each of three school campuses, where students learn growing cycles and soil management by doing the work. Staff from the municipality's Agriculture Department will support construction and lead the training, and community members can attend alongside students. The long-term goal is for families to build and maintain greenhouses of their own. This is a pilot year, and we will use all three sites to learn what works before expanding.

Open to all

trainings for students and community members

RUNNING SINCE 2027

AGRICULTURE

Each year we host a celebration of one of Nepal's major festivals. This year it is Maghe Sankranti, which marks the turn toward longer, warmer days. The celebration brings together the Hudke dance, drummers and shared food, and elders are invited to tell the stories of the village's history to the younger generation. Each year we add instruments and cultural clothing to the village's shared collection.

RUNNING SINCE 2024

CULTURE