Udaypur Story

Devi Lama, 30 years old, is the nursery caretaker at Udaipur Nursery. She has been with the nursery since it was first established in Udaipur. She lives with her husband, two sons, a daughter, and a daughter-in-law. Her husband works as a plumber and also as a daily wage labourer for the Udaipur Community Forest. Before joining the nursery, Devi was a housewife. Her family was financially struggling, relying solely on her husband’s income. However, after joining the nursery, their daily life has improved. Now, both share the financial responsibilities, and they are living a happier life together. 

Due to her early marriage, Devi was unable to complete her formal education. When asked how she feels about being part of the nursery program, she responded, “I thought my entire life would be confined within four walls! But since taking on the nursery work, my skills have grown. Now, I’m working with the community, and I feel very happy.” 

Having spent her youth gathering firewood and fodders, Devi deeply understands the importance of forests. She expressed her concerns, saying, “The forests today are not the same as they used to be. Forest resources are much scarcer than before.” 

Many women in her village are inspired by her work and life story. She proudly shared, “This program is giving wings to my freedom.” Before we said goodbye, Devi emphasized how much this program has positively impacted her life.