From Child Bride to Community Leader: The Inspiring Journey of Home-Based Worker Shree Maya Tamang
For many women in Nepal, poverty, limited access to education, and early marriage often shape the course of their lives. Yet, some women transform these challenges into stories of resilience, leadership, and hope. One such woman is Shree Maya Tamang.
Born in Nuwakot, Shree Maya was married at the age of just 14. Like many girls of her generation, she never had the opportunity to attend school. In search of better opportunities, she later moved to Kathmandu, where she spent years doing physically demanding manual labor to earn a living and support her family. A turning point came in 2007 when she participated in a Buddhist handicraft training organized by Home Based Workers Concern Society Nepal (HBWCSN). The training opened the door to a new future. Armed with nothing more than a second-hand machine, determination and a willingness to learn, Shree Maya began producing handicrafts from a small rented room.
Over the years, her dedication and hard work transformed a modest beginning into a sustainable livelihood. She continuously improved her craftsmanship, expanded her production and built connections with markets beyond Nepal, eventually supplying handcrafted products as far as India. Her work not only improved her family's financial security but also enabled her to invest in her children's education and create a more stable future for her household.
Today, Shree Maya serves as the leader of the Boudha Mahila Samuha, where she works alongside and supports fellow women artisans. Beyond producing beautiful handicrafts, she plays an important role in collective organizing and negotiation, helping strengthen the voices and bargaining power of home-based workers. Her leadership extends beyond her community. Since 2019, she has been elected and re-elected as a board member of Home Based Workers Concern Society Nepal (HBWCSN), reflecting the trust and respect she has earned from fellow home-based workers across the country.
Shree Maya Tamang's journey is a powerful reminder that opportunity, skills, and collective support can change lives. From a childhood marked by limited choices to becoming a respected artisan, leader, and advocate, her story represents the strength, resilience, and potential of home-based workers in Nepal. Her journey is not only a personal success story—it is an inspiration for countless women striving to build dignified livelihoods, lead their communities, and create brighter futures for the next generation.