In a small, remote village nestled within the hills of Ramechhap, a bright-eyed girl named Tika Maya was born into a family of seven. She was one of five children, her family’s hopes and dreams reflected in her spirited smile and sharp mind. From an early age, her heart beat with the dream of education—of stepping into a college, her head held high, adorned in the crisp uniform of a scholar. Her parents shared this dream, determined to see her rise beyond the bounds of their family’s modest farming livelihood.
But fate is a cruel weaver of stories. When Tika Maya was just 12, her world was torn apart. Her father fell gravely ill with an unknown disease. The family spent their every last resource on futile treatments in their village. Hope dwindled with each passing day, and so did their savings. The soil that once fed them could no longer nourish their dreams. With tears staining her cheeks and anguish burning her heart, Tika Maya was forced to abandon her studies. Her dream of college, once so close, now lay shattered beneath the weight of her family’s despair.
For a child with eyes full of ambition, the blow was devastating. She had wept for days—not just for herself but for a future lost to poverty’s cruel grip. Yet life does not wait for grief to pass. She toiled alongside her siblings, working in fields, laboring for others, doing whatever small jobs came her way. As the years stretched on, hope flickered like a dying ember. And then came the pandemic—a relentless storm that robbed the world of normalcy and plunged her family into deeper hardship.
When the shadows of COVID finally began to lift, Tika Maya made a bold choice—to seek a new beginning in Kathmandu. The bustling city seemed filled with possibilities. She embraced training programs for handicrafts, learning the intricate skills of her hands, and took up factory jobs that paid meager wages. But deep within her heart, a dream still stirred—the dream of owning her own business, of creating something that was truly hers. The road to independence, however, was steep and unforgiving. Her earnings barely covered her family’s needs; saving money was a luxury she could not afford.
Then, life offered her another turn—an unexpected bond with a man whose own hands carried the scars of struggle. He labored on construction sites, breaking stones and hauling heavy loads. United by shared dreams and burdens, they married and built a family. Their two sons became the light of their lives, but also the weight of new responsibilities. Together, they vowed to give their children the education and happiness they themselves had been denied.
They dared to dream again—this time, of a small business that Tika Maya could run, freeing her from the backbreaking work that had defined her existence. But dreams need roots, and roots need resources. Where would they find the money to begin? Then came the moment that changed everything.
Samriddhi Foundation Nepal, with its mission “Freedom Fund for Women,” extended a lifeline. A small seed fund ignited the spark of hope. With trembling hands but a fierce heart, Tika Maya opened her own momo stall—a humble snacks stall selling the beloved dumplings adored across Nepal. Day by day, she poured her heart into the business. Her momo stall became a place of warmth, flavor, and resilience—a symbol of her undying spirit.
Today, her momo stall thrives. Customers come not only for the taste but for the soul behind the service. Tika Maya stands proud, a woman transformed by her determination and the simple yet profound power of financial independence. “Nothing compares to the happiness of being financially independent,” she says with a radiant smile that speaks of battles fought and dreams reclaimed.
Her journey is far from over. Samriddhi Foundation Nepal now walks beside her, ready to help her pursue the education that once slipped through her fingers. Because financial independence for women is not just about earning—it is about dignity, choices, and the freedom to shape one’s own destiny.
Tika Maya’s story is a clarion call for all: When women rise, entire families are uplifted. When women achieve independence, societies are strengthened. And when dreams are reborn, hope becomes a force that can change the world.
