2023 International Day of Persons With Disabilities (IDPD)

December 3rd 2023, marks the UN’s International Day of Persons with Disabilites (IDPD). The purpose of this day is to promote an understanding of disability issues and to mobilise support for the dignity, rights and well-being of those living with disabilities.

Supporting the disabled children of Gurkha veterans

Life in Nepal can be challenging, especially for those with disabilities. The Gurkha Welfare Trust provides disabled children of Gurkha veterans with a Disability Support Grant because we understand that with no state medical and financial support, the challenges brought on by a disability can prove insurmountable.

Supporting Shelter to Lal Sari Rai

Lal Sari Rai, the daughter of Gurkha veteran Rifleman Jagatprasad Rai, is unable to walk due to paralysis from the waist down. She has also been hard of hearing since childhood.

Lal used to live in small house with her sister-in-law. The house was just a small shed with a rusty tin roof wrapped in a corrugated iron sheet.  The Disability Support Grant provided by The Gurkha Welfare Trust is a lifeline for her – ensuring she can afford life’s essentials.

“I have never worked in my entire life due to my disability. I did not go to the school. We used to live at Diktel. When I was nine or 10 years old, I came to Dharan and stayed with my sister-in-law.

Life in the small shed was difficult for Lal, the home would be awash with rainwater during monsoon season and Lal would rely on her sister-in-law’s help to access the toilet, which could be challenging.

Thanks to your support, The Gurkha Welfare Trust built a new earthquake-resilient home for Lal this year to ease the burden on her and her sister-in-law.

“Now, it is very good to have this house which is earthquake-resilient. We have got a house with two rooms with a small kitchen, toilet block, mini-rainwater harvesting system, smokeless stove and water filter. It has made our daily routine much easier. Life has been easier than before for all of us.”

Lal’s sister-in-law commented:

“Now I can look after Lalsari nicely. She can easily access to attached toilet during nighttime. We can focus on her sanitation and hygiene as well. Before, she used to get sick due to poor housing, but now her health has been better than before.”

Empowering People with Disabilities

Our water project in Sibhuwa, a village in Sankhuwasabha District, has provided sanitation education and brought clean water and toilets to 1,427 people in the area.

Maina Kumari Rai is visually impaired and is one of the beneficiaries of the Sibhuwa project who can now access safe water, sanitation, and hygiene.

She shared her struggles with the team, describing how she would fetch water at six years old.

“I used to fetch water for my households. It used to take half an hour to bring the water from the source. I used to go with my brothers and sister and used sticks to guide me. Sometimes, I used to get minor accidents while fetching the water. It was a hard time.”

“Now, I feel good about the progress of the water project. I can easily access the safe water. I do not have to travel far to get the water. I can cook food on my own. I am very thankful to GWT for providing us the safe water.”