A Safe and Comfortable Tomorrow: Supporting Disabled Children of Gurkha Heroes
Life in Nepal can be challenging, especially for those with disabilities. The Gurkha Welfare Trust provides disabled children of Gurkha soldiers with a Disability Support Grant because we understand that without medical and financial support, the challenges brought on by a disability could become insurmountable.
71 year-old Bogisara Sinjali is the daughter of a WW2 Gurkha veteran and Prisoner of War. Bogisara is deaf and struggles with communication. Until recently she was living with her brother in a poorly built mud house in Nawalparasi to the south of Nepal. The home was deemed not safe by the the GWT team in Nepal. Bogisara’s brother Prithyman also suffers with a slight learning disability so their nephew, Bhada would visit them to check on their wellbeing, but was finding the situation increasingly difficult and requested that they be moved closer to his home.
The house Bogisara was living in with her brother, Prithyman
A plot of land was secured beside Bhada’s home and construction of a new Earthquake-Resilient home began in February 2024.
The project was not without its challenges, the remote location of the plot led to difficulty in getting the building materials to the site and there was also some difficulty in relaying information about the home to Bogisara. She felt an attachment to her old house where she has fond memories of her parents, the team worked together with her nephew to help her to understand the home was not safe and that she would soon be able to live in a safe and clean environment.
At the end of May, the new Earthquake-Resilient home was complete and was handed over to Bogisara and her Prithyman.
The family are extremely grateful for their new home. Having the best house in the village has instilled pride and gratitude within the community.