The Story of Manmaya

Manmaya BK, a 27-year-old resident of Bhandara, Rapti Municipality-5, Chitwan District, has had a visual impairment since birth. Born into a modest family, she was unable to pursue education beyond the 9th grade due to her disability. Her family’s weak financial situation and her disability prevented her from studying elsewhere, depriving her of even secondary-level education.

 

Being deprived of the light of education was painful, and navigating life with a disability was no easy task. Although she was aware of her disability, she had very little knowledge about it. She was also unaware of the services and facilities provided by the state for persons with disabilities. She did not know what to do, where to go, how to access these services, or whom to approach. Due to this lack of awareness, she remained confined to her home, unable to claim her legal rights as a citizen.

When Rapti Municipality was selected as one of the two target municipalities for the “Include Us” project, implemented by the National Federation of the Disabled-Nepal (NFDN) Bagmati Province, various groups and committees were formed to implement the project. As part of this initiative, Manmaya was included as a member of the Accessibility Advocacy Committee.

Eager to learn and always interested in matters concerning disability, she actively participated in advocacy and orientation programs conducted by the federation in Rapti Municipality. She was also entrusted with the responsibility of distributing informational materials. Gradually, she became involved in provincial-level capacity-building training and other programs organized by the federation.

Through these programs, she established strong connections with other organizations, leading to increased participation in training sessions conducted by various Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs). Over a span of two years, she gained extensive knowledge about disability-related policies, laws, and government provisions through various training, capacity-building programs, and orientations.

Manmaya sees not only challenges but also opportunities and possibilities in the field of disability advocacy. She believes in enhancing her capabilities and participates in every program related to disability that she can.

From Learning to Leadership

The belief that a lack of formal education limits a person’s ability to succeed does not apply to everyone. Manmaya, who could not complete her schooling, has found a path to gaining essential life skills and education.

By making full use of the opportunities provided by the federation, she has honed her skills and is now leading as the Chairperson of a registered local OPD, the Municipal Disability Coordination Committee. Recently, her organization received a budget allocation of NPR 100,000 from the Ministry of Social Development of Bagmati Province.

Under her leadership, the organization has conducted one-day orientation programs in two locations within Rapti Municipality, benefiting over 100 persons with disabilities. Additionally, she has successfully implemented a Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR) program funded with NPR 300,000 from the provincial government.

Manmaya is also a member of the municipality’s Disability Identity Card Distribution Committee, actively participating in meetings and offering valuable suggestions. She is involved in women’s groups, cooperatives, and other local organizations, and she plays an active role in committees and institutions working for the upliftment of the Dalit community.

A Journey of Determination and Success

For a visually impaired Dalit woman who did not even complete secondary education, leading an OPD, securing provincial government funding, and successfully executing programs within just two years is no small feat. Manmaya’s success is a testament to her unwavering determination and dedication. At the same time, the role of the National Federation of the Disabled-Nepal, Bagmati Province, has been instrumental in her journey.