The Pickle Sisters

“Before we did not come out of the house,” says Mina, one of three Nepalese women who together are known as the ‘Pickle Sisters.’ “We just had to do housework, cut grass and collect firewood.” 

Sadly, the story is the same for many women in Nepal, with generational poverty and traditional gender roles leaving little room for the hope of change. 

But with ADRA’s support Mina, along with Pima and Shanti, learned how to become entrepreneurs and received a small loan to help them start a business.  

As women in a culture that didn’t value them, they faced ridicule at every turn, but soon they had a growing business selling pickles to expanding markets. 

“We started by taking our pickle to the market to sell. People used to criticise us and say that we are useless. But now that they see what we can do, they value us,” Mina says. 

Now, the women have their own shop and produce five different types of pickle.

“We used to be very shy and found it hard to speak up and ask people to stock our pickle. But now we feel confident. We feel like we have found our voice,” Mina says. 

“We believe there is no shame in what we are doing. So, we won’t stop. We don’t mind what others say.”

The ‘Pickle Sisters’ had only ever experienced housework, manual labour and generational poverty but now they are budding entrepreneurs. Together, with ADRA’s support they have overcame doubt, scorn, and the all-pervading crisis of poverty in their lives. Now, their thoughts are turned to helping other women do the same.  

“Our objective is to help other women who are only limited to kitchens, to become entrepreneurs, and to earn an income by themselves,” they say. 

The ‘Pickle Sisters’ overcame big odds to succeed and help others do the same. You can help others in their position, too. Give now here or call 1800 242 372 

ADRA’s project in Nepal is supported by the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP).