EMPOWERING VISUALLY IMPAIRED WOMEN/GIRLS IN NEPAL

On December 5, 2024, we proudly conducted a basic training session on "Building Life Skills" for visually impaired girls residing at the Nepal Association of the Blind (NAB) Hostel in Kathmandu. During the event, we also distributed 25 feminine hygiene kits consisting of reusable cloth-based sanitary pads and other essential items. The hostel provides low cost accommodation for young women from across Nepal who are pursuing higher education in diverse fields.

The training covered four key areas:

1. Orientation and Mobility: Techniques to use assistive devices like white canes, navigation apps, and spatial awareness for safe mobility.
2. Personal Management: Guidance on daily living skills such as hygiene, cooking, organizing personal belongings, and dressing.
3. Communication Skills:  to improve verbal communication and use digital tools for reading and writing.
4. Social and Emotional Skills: Activities to boost self-esteem, manage stress, and strengthen interpersonal relationships through role-plays and group discussions.

Though this is a one day program, we believe the impact of the event is significant and far-reaching. By equipping participants with essential life skills, the program enhanced their independence and prepared them for educational and professional opportunities. The focus on social and emotional skills fostered resilience, self-esteem, and overall well-being, enabling them to face challenges confidently. Moreover, we hope such initiatives can also have a ripple effect as participants become role models, inspiring and sharing knowledge within their communities. This contributes to a gradual shift toward a more inclusive society that values and supports individuals with disabilities. In overall, we believe that the training laid a strong foundation for a dignified and empowered future for its beneficiaries. It exemplified how meaningful interventions can create lasting change.

The session was facilitated by Mr. Basudev Adhikari, a renowned disability rights activist and a fully visually impaired individual, whose inspiring leadership brought depth and relevance to the training. Mr. Basudev was supported by Mr. Sushil Adhikari, brother of MR. Basudev, who is also a leading disability right activist, a fully visually impaired man, & board member of Together for Nepal.

*****VERY URGENT NOTICE: Due to new regulations in the USA, please contact us at togetherfornepal@protonmail.com before sending any further financial contributions. Thank you for your kind understanding!*******************

A heartfelt thank you to our incredible supporters for making this milestone possible. This is just the beginning! We have more training sessions and enhanced support packages planned in the near future to bring transformative changes. Please share this update with your friends, family and co-workers and help even more visually impaired women & girls from Nepal!                             

Sincerely,

Subhasan Bhattarai,

Founder/President