Women

The Baristas

Amma Café will be managed by 16 women from Mahilpur village, which is located about xxx kilometres from the Lumbini Sacred Garden. Their selection was based on their grit and change making attitude as well as support of their families. Most of the women are illiterate and work in agriculture due to the very few job opportunities available for them in the area.

Amma Café is changing their lives. In their own words:   
“We live in an area rich in culture and nature, which is visited by 1.5 million of Nepalis and foreigners every year. Following the Buddha’s teachings of respect for others, we want to welcome all those visitors to this sacred land in a caring place with delicious homemade refreshments and local food.  By doing it, we believe that Amma Café will provide visitors with a more meaningful experience. It will also give to us the opportunity to build a better future for our daughters, families, and community. Above all, in the same way that we have been given this opportunity, we hope to become a role model for other women to achieve their dreams, even if this means one cup of coffee at a time.”

The process of becoming a barista and entrepreneur has been intense, starting with daily literacy classes and life skills training. The women have also recently concluded a client survey in the Lumbini Sacred Garden to get to know the profile and food preferences of its visitors.  Based on their findings, the menu has been finalized and as soon as the lockdown is lifted, the women will receive culinary training from an established chef. To further guide and support the baristas as they run Amma Café, a Board comprising of distinguished women entrepreneurs in Nepal is also being established.