Chandra Bahadur Rai, 54, shows strength and determination despite his disability. He grew up in a remote village in Kankai Municipality and lives with his brother’s family of four. Facing many challenges due to limited access to education, healthcare and jobs, Chandra struggled to support his family. He is part of Category B for people with disabilities and receives 2,000 NPR every three months from the Nepal government.
Through Caritas Nepal’s NLRP II project, Chandra’s hard work and dedication were noticed. He was given a set of carpenter tools, including a planer worth 5,200 NPR, which helped him pursue his love for making furniture. He had the skill but lacked the right tools before. Known for his craftsmanship, Chandra had been using old tools for years. With support from Caritas Nepal, he improved his work and helped the Namuna Homestead Group by building and repairing a chicken coop for all 28 members.
“I want to grow my carpentry business with better tools and train others in my community. This will create more jobs and help Kankai Municipality develop. I also plan to expand my vegetable garden and learn about organic farming to promote healthier practices and improve my family’s well-being.”
Chandra expanded his work and quickly earned Rs 52,000, which greatly improved his family’s financial situation. This income helped cover their daily needs and allowed him to buy better tools and materials for his furniture-making.
Through the NLRP-II project’s homestead program focused on sustainable agriculture, Chandra learned to grow his own vegetables without chemical pesticides. He now uses Bokashi manure, plastic mulching, insect traps, and other eco-friendly methods for vegetable production. The skills he gained were life-changing. Chandra set up a small vegetable garden of 1.5 katha at his home. The chemical-free vegetables provided fresh, nutritious food for his family and became an extra source of income. By selling surplus produce at the local market, Chandra increased his earnings. This steady income from his carpentry and vegetable garden allowed him to save money and support his family with better education and healthcare.
Chandra has big plans for the future. He wants to grow his carpentry business by getting advanced tools and training others in his community. By sharing his skills, he hopes to create more job opportunities and help the economic growth of Kankai Municipality. He also wants to promote sustainable farming practices by expanding his vegetable garden and exploring organic farming techniques for a healthier community.
