A 23-year-old mother of twin boys from Jhapa.

She lost her mother at just four years old. Raised by a stepmother who offered no love, only obligation, Poonam’s childhood was marked by rejection, loneliness and emotional neglect. By Grade 4, her education was cut short. She grew up never knowing the comfort of care, the warmth of encouragement or the safety every child deserves.

At 17, seeking love and escape, she entered a love marriage with a man 12 years her senior. Together, they moved to Kathmandu, driven by hope and little else. He worked in a furniture factory, she toiled as a domestic worker.

Then came motherhood. When Poonam gave birth to twin sons, she left her job to raise them. But with only one income, financial pressure intensified. Arguments turned into emotional battles. One day, her husband suddenly left her and their children for someone else. her world shattered.

She returned to work as a maid, determined to survive, carrying her young sons with her. Many homeowners refused to hire her, questioning how she could possibly work while caring for children. A few showed compassion and allowed her to help. In many homes, she faced harsh words, disrespect and mistreatment, enduring it all while trying to shield her children from the harsh realities of poverty.

Through it all, one quiet dream kept her going: to start her own small business. A way to work with dignity, to provide for her children and to finally live on her own terms. But with no savings, no resources and no one to turn to, that dream felt impossibly far.

Until she found Samriddhi Foundation Nepal.

With a helping hand and her own relentless determination, Poonam launched a roadside fruit basket business. She now sells seasonal fruits with pride, with dignity. She cares for her children and stands tall as both mother and provider. This is more than just a story of survival.
It’s a story of a new beginning. A woman who didn’t let her past decide her future.
She found her strength again, stood back up and started to hope once more.

At Samriddhi Foundation Nepal, we are honored to have walked alongside Poonam on her journey. Because this isn’t just about income, it’s about independence. It’s about reigniting the fire that was always within her.

Poonam’s story is proof: when women rise, the world changes.