Today, Dec 3, we celebrate International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we celebrate the value of people living with disabilities as well as their families.
Living with a disability can be difficult in a place like Nepal, with social stigma and lack of support. For physical disabilities, there is the added problem of difficult terrain.
INF has a long history of supporting people living with disabilities. Offering treatment where possible, the work of INF also encompasses advocacy, community education and psychosocial support for individuals and families affected by disability.
INF’s Green Pastures Hospital aims to be a centre offering excellence in healthcare for all forms of disability.
Starting yesterday, INF is running programmes which include rallies, press conferences, disabled sports competitions and broadcasts via radio and mass media in the Kaski, Gorkha and Baglung Districts.
Sanju Gurung, is the Chairperson of the Naya Jyoti Self-Help Group [SHG] set up by INF in Parbat District in partnership with a local Disabled People’s Organisation, Nepal Apanga Utthan Samaj.
“We were mocked at and unwelcomed by people in our village because of our disability. Now people respect us for who we are and praise us for the impact we have been able to make for people with disabilities and the community through our SHG. We feel like we have got our dignity back.”, says Sanju.
Her SGH runs awareness programmes on disability issues as well as advocacy including advocating for scholarships for children with disabilities in schools. Sanju, with the other members in her group, has made a great impact in the community and is highly appreciated and praised by the local District Offices for their work. She is a role model for many.
INF’s Community Based Rehabilitation [CBR] work plays a key role in enabling people with disabilities to enjoy the rights and benefits which are theirs according to Nepal government policies. As well as helping individuals with disabilities, INF works with regional and national disability networks and provides disability training for local partner organisations.
To watch the thank you song Sanju sang for the INF team which visited her village a few days back click here or visit our YouTube channel [www.inf.org/youtube] and search for ‘Song of Dignity’.