Just off an unnamed road, at coordinates 28⁰4’28” N and 84⁰7’5” (give or take a degree), there’s an energy in the air. It’s electric and moves with a strength that echoes through the sequestered foothills and jungles northwest of Shuklagandaki, Nepal. The spectacular green hills in this area mixed with agriculture and peaceful, charming villages are a trekkers’ paradise. The energy does not come from the radio tower that’s on top of the nearest peak. It’s generated by 50 like-minded women in the village of Dagam with a common belief, objective, and understanding. They’ve gathered together in their small community center to welcome us and to tell their story.

They have common backgrounds filled with bruises and scars. They’ve had difficulties providing for their family. They’ve had to face their children during Dashain, considered the biggest Hindu festival, and tell them they won’t be receiving any gifts this year—a moment that still brings tears to their motherly eyes. They’ve sent their children to school with tattered clothes and no supplies. They’ve had to watch helplessly as their children suffer through a sickness with no money to purchase medicine that could bring relief. They’ve been rejected by banks again and again because to the bank they had no capital and no way to repay back any loan, no matter the amount. The bank labeled them as broke and broken.

Women around the world have much less access to fair and affordable credit for their basic needs or business. While 46% of men around the world report having access to formal financial services, only 27% of women have access.

On August 18, they came together to show us just how strong they are. After one interview with cooperative member Nirmala Thapa, I could see it. She once struggled raising and selling 5 chickens. After receiving and paying back multiple loans from the co-operative, she now raises 300 chickens for profitable resale. She uses the loans to help her purchase food for the chickens and other maintenance needs. She uses the profit to pay back the loan and to support her children through school. Then after the second interview with 81-year-old Sovarna Renamagar, who is now supporting her grandchildren through school, an important truth filled me: empowerment comes in the numbers but helps people individually.

In the numbers because female empowerment in rural Nepal means stronger families and a stronger village. It means an entire population can have their basic needs met and then flourish. While the loans are given to individuals, the women here help with each other’s farms from hand tilling, planting, watering, maintaining, and harvesting. They pay each other $2 USD a day for the help. Make no mistake, it’s incredibly hard work. Almost crazy work that would exhaust the average American. It would definitely break my back in several places. But these women are strong and in it together.