Suryamaya lived in the bustling hub of Kathmandu but she preferred to stay indoors—when she went out, she was often mocked for her disabilities. So, she’d stay in, knitting while her husband was at work. Naturally, when her neighbor suggested she accompany her to a free workshop that taught women how to sell clothes and other products they’d made, she was hesitant to join her.
But, with some encouragement, Suryamaya went along and met a young Australian, Steph Wollard, who’d arranged that training day. The other women who’d joined the workshop made clothes and other craft goods, just like Suryamaya. And they all tuned in to learn how to hone their skills and sell their goods for profit.
After meeting the women that day and hearing their stories, Steph wanted to provide more women in Nepal with skills training and education to generate an income and power their independence.
She went on to found Seven Women in 2006 and spent 17 years helping to educate and employ thousands, both in-person and with virtual training, before handing the organization over to local leadership in 2023. While staying true to its original mission, Seven Women morphed into its next phase of philanthrophy and became Sungabha Nepal.
Suryamaya started working with the organization—making clothes and earning a steady income as an employee—shortly after its inception in 2006, and she’s still there today. But she’s hardly the same person she was when she joined almost two decades ago.
