--- title: "Shanti: A Leader for Her Community in Nepal" description: As a small farmer, Shanti participated in CHOICE's mentoring program to gain business skills. But she didn't stop there. image: https://blog.choicehumanitarian.org/hubfs/viber_image_2020-08-09_10-53-39.jpg --- [![Vector CHOICE Logo (4)_no tag](https://blog.choicehumanitarian.org/hubfs/Vector%20CHOICE%20Logo%20(4)_no%20tag.png)](https://choicehumanitarian.org/) - [OUR WORK](https://choicehumanitarian.org/our-work/) - [JOIN AN EXPEDITION](https://choicehumanitarian.org/expeditions/) - [ABOUT US](https://choicehumanitarian.org/vision-and-mission/) - [BLOG HOME](https://blog.choicehumanitarian.org) [DONATE](https://choicehumanitarian.org/donate/) Agriculture # Shanti: A Leader for Her Community in Nepal As a small farmer, Shanti participated in CHOICE's mentoring program to gain business skills. But she didn't stop there. [Sara Nelson, Central Office Team](https://blog.choicehumanitarian.org/author/sara-nelson) Jun 13, 2022 --- # How Shanti's Perspective is Helping Others "You've mentored me to grow as an entrepreneur and also a leader. I will always remain indebted to the mentors from CHOICE." In Thaha Municipality of [Nepal](https://choicehumanitarian.org/nepal/), a rural community of small farmers has a new local leader that they trust. Shanti BK, a 37-year old woman, wife, and mother to three children, was elected to the municipal council in May of 2022. Though it isn't easy to balance responsibilities between her family, her civic role, and her business—their household operation produces agricultural tools, raises cattle, and grows vegetables—she feels she is able to balance it well. ![Shanti BK](https://blog.choicehumanitarian.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Shanti%20BK.png?width=1226&height=548&name=Shanti%20BK.png) In fact, Shanti's first-hand experience as an entrepreneur running her own business helps her bring a valuable perspective to the council. During fiscal planning, she advocated for other small business owners like her. "I will keep helping the Municipality understand the important roles of small businesses being run at the family level," she said, "and the roles they have played in reducing the poverty. I urge that the municipal plans and policies should reflect the aspirations of the SME owners." Shanti was one of many community members to participate in CHOICE Humanitarian's mentoring program. Farming is a common occupation in rural Nepal; however, most individuals do not get the financial and technical assistance they need for their farming businesses to truly provide a path out of poverty. Additionally, the procedure for small farmers to access loans from the bank is long and difficult. Interest rates are prohibitively high, documentation is required that most farmers cannot provide, and there is no technical support available to assist with this process. CHOICE's mentoring program was able to address several of these challenges by offering business training, technical assistance, and hassle-free loans. Shanti explained that CHOICE has "been teaching very small but very powerful principles to the entrepreneurs." This is crucial for improving business, and participating entrepreneurs have gained confidence. ![116877936_1455207664686848_758852696670076611_n](https://blog.choicehumanitarian.org/hs-fs/hubfs/116877936_1455207664686848_758852696670076611_n.jpg?width=1440&height=962&name=116877936_1455207664686848_758852696670076611_n.jpg) In a virtuous cycle, the training that Shanti received through mentoring helped her into her municipality council role. She grew her skills in organizing information and presenting her ideas in the group, and it was also an opportunity for the community to build trust in her. As an elected leader, Shanti can continue to utilize the skills she gained in CHOICE's mentoring program to support her fellow community members in their small business needs. Whether it's providing recommendations to replace costly chemical fertilizer with organic fertilizer or researching the market where small farmers can sell products, she is a "positive deviation" that is having a ripple effect on her community.   When thinking on what she appreciates about her experience, Shanti said this: "We the entrepreneurs have a feeling that there is CHOICE, which is constantly helping us and wants us improve our lives." [Agriculture](https://blog.choicehumanitarian.org/tag/agriculture) [Nepal](https://blog.choicehumanitarian.org/tag/nepal) [Gender Equity](https://blog.choicehumanitarian.org/tag/gender-equity) ## Similar posts Mexico ### [Country Director Spotlight: Juan Alducin](https://blog.choicehumanitarian.org/country-director-spotlight-juan-alducin) In 1990, Juan Alducin was working for a special program with the government of Guanajuato, which led Juan to CHOICE Humanitarian and its mission.... Julia Fomby, Central Office Team May 4, 2023 Economic Development ### [Building Hope in Nepal: The Rebuild Homes Project](https://blog.choicehumanitarian.org/building-hope-in-nepal-the-rebuild-homes-project) Before the Rebuild Homes Project, the people of the Sundarbazaar Municipality lived in constant fear of natural disasters destroying their homes.... Gaby M. Rojas, Central Office Team Feb 4, 2023 Ecuador ### [Country Director Spotlight: Raquel Tuston](https://blog.choicehumanitarian.org/country-director-spotlight-raquel-tuston) Raquel was appointed as Country Director of Ecuador since 2015 and she has made strides to leave an impact on everyone she has worked with, she feels... Cheryl Liu, Central Office Team Nov 1, 2022 ### WITH YOUR SUPPORT CHOICE Humanitarian can mobilize rural poverty solutions. 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