Laxmi Sunar, a 35 years old from Jumla, which is one of the remote districts of Nepal belongs to a low caste family. She never attended school. At the age of 15, her neighbors arranged marriage for her in Mugu, the west Nepal.
Laxmi had two daughters age seven and five. Her husband left her and married off to another woman. But Laxmi did not get along with her mother-in-law. During her husband’s veterinary course he married another women. He left Laxmi because she gave birth only to girl children. Her life became rough every day; her in laws tortured and asked her to leave their house.
She left her in laws house leaving her two lovely daughters behind, it was very painful for her. “But that was the only option for her to escape from that situation. Her In laws also attempted to pour a poisonous chemical to her.”
On her return to her maternal home, her parents understood her situation but due to poverty they were helpless and convinced her to return back. Culturally, it is believed that married daughters should not stay at their parent’s home. In our society, once the girls marry off, her entire life has to spend with her husband and his family.
One of her neighbor recommended visiting Empowering Women of Nepal training program in Pokhara. Pokhara was a long distance to travel from her home town and was totally new place for her. It was her only chance getting away from her village. The flight is only the mode of transportation in Jumla. That was the time when she first flew in flight to take the female guide training program in Pokhara, an hour flight and 23 hours bus ride.
In 2009, she joined in a trek organized by 3 Sisters Adventure Trekking company in Jumla “Women Trek for Peace and Development” from Canada. During those period her story was also featured. Laxmi was eager to her bring her daughters and educate them. With the support of our organization was able to bring her elder daughter Pratiksha (now she is 16 years old) with her in Pokhara. Now she is studying in a good reputed English medium school in 10 grade with the support of EWN scholarship program. She is now working as a senior guide, she is confident, independent and making her own decisions.
3 Sisters Adventure Trekking is part of EWN – Empowering Women of Nepal. Laxmi is one of the beneficiaries of this programme. You can support them by using 3 Sisters as your guides in Nepal. They have a Trek calendar that you can choose your ideal level of Trek – or let them customise a trip for you. They also have a fabulous place to stay near the lake at Pokhara.
3 Sisters is also part of the Women Travel Network of women owned and run businesses around the world
