Earlier, I could not even think about purchasing jewelry.-Mema

Mema was busy with her household chores when we entered her house. She laid a mat and offered us to sit. Mema makes agarbattis and sells them in the local market. She said, “ I make Rs 500 on a daily basis." Mema is a 55-year-old married woman. She is a mother of five children. Her sons are engaged in a travel and tourism business. She said, “ My eldest daughter is a teacher. My second daughter recently got married.” She informed me, “ My husband used to work with the police. He retired last year.” Mema buys stick, coal, gum, menkum ( an ingredient to add fragrance to the agarbattis) from the market and then makes the incense sticks. After she received the loan, Mema was able to increase her stock. She revealed, “Now I can buy plenty of ingredients from the market. I make more agarbattis now.” She further added, “ I was able to buy some gold for myself. Earlier, I could not even think about purchasing jewelry.” Mema started her cloth selling the business as well. She sells Wangkhei phi in the local market.