National
People living with HIV becoming self-reliant
HIV-infected Laxmi Bhandari of Rampur earns Rs 40,000 a year after she started rearing goats. Likewise, Maya Pandey of Palungmaidi, who is also living with HIV, saves around Rs 5,000 a monthMadhav Aryal
Like Laxmi and Maya, 25 people living with HIV/AIDS in the district have become self-reliant and turned into entrepreneurs after they formed groups to receive skill development training as well as financial assistance from various organisations.
Pandey said they are no longer looked down upon in the society after they became self-reliant. “We had to take loan at high interest rate in the past, but we are financially independent now,” she said, adding that such change has also enabled them to seek treatment when they fall ill.
The groups of people living with HIV were provided seed money by an organisation named Sakriya Sewa Samaj. Team Leader of the organisation, Lilaraj Bhattarai, said they provided Rs 15,000 to the group in Arghali and Rs 20,000 to groups in Rampur, Palungmaidi and Jhadewa in the district.
He said the groups have encouraged its members to make a habit of saving and provides financial assistance to start a business of their own. Likewise, a member of the Saptarangi Income Group said they are able to save Rs 100,000 within a year after they started various income-generating activities. Two women-Laxmi Kunwar and Humisara Saru of Pratibaddha Sahayog Samuha-have been employed as social facilitators. The members of various groups in Arghali are currently provided Rs 500 as allowance by the Family Planning Association of Nepal (FPAN) for participating in meetings.
Government statistics show there are 240 people living with HIV in the district.