The VOICE center, located in Kavre near Kathmandu, is the first vocational training center for the People with Disabilities in Nepal. It is specifically supporting the people with disabilities for their self-reliance through the vocational trainings. Since 2018, Miral Welfare Foundation has been running the VOICE center in partnership with SISN (Spinal Injury Sangh Nepal) and with the funds by KOICA (Korea International Cooperation Agency).  Here, we would like to invite you to the very special day out of the trainees of the VOICE center.    

My Ordinary Days With Disabilities Look Different Than Before Now, But I’m Not Alone.

Nepal is one of the most well-known countries for hiking, especially such with Mount Everest of the Himalayas. The general high altitudes of its land give the beautiful landscape to the tourists, while it also gives a lot of accidents and injuries from falls to its people. The situations are no different with the trainees of the VOICE center. Most of them got the spinal injuries or the amputations due to similar reasons. Through the vocational trainings of the VOICE center, they learn the skills proactively and enthusiastically. However, it is true that they lose the confidence in themselves sometimes because of the various reasons, such as the prejudices of others or the different lifestyles they have now than before.

Considering this, Miral Welfare Foundation provides them not only the vocational trainings but also the professional counseling services and the self-help groups. Through the self-help groups, the trainees share their own struggles, encourage, and comfort each other. They also make plans for their future by meeting the graduated trainees and try the new activities out together.

The Self-help Group of the VOICE Trainees

I’ve Come To The Movie Theater For The First Time Since I Am On The Wheelchair.

In June 2nd, the VOICE center had its self-help group meeting in a very special way. It was the day out to the movie theater to watch the new-released movie together. Most of them could not go watch movies in the theater by themselves after they got the injuries. It is difficult for them in their wheelchairs if there are many bumps on the road or a lot of stairs. Thus, the trainees, who especially could watch movies in the theater after a while, were very excited. They said they felt like they went back to the old days without disabilities.

“There was no place I could go in my wheelchair.

But I felt like I’ve become my old self,

Who was healthy and without disabilities in the past,

as I watched the movie today.”

-Milan Tamang

“This is my fire time being in the public place in the wheelchair.

I feel like I’m in a trip to a foreign country.

I’m so glad that I could visit the public places in my wheelchair,

and I wish my town could become like this as well.”

-Manjeet Budha

Watching movie in the theater as the self-help group from VOICE center 

We don’t stop challenging, but we try out for new things again today. 

After watching movie in the theater, the trainees went to Bhaktapur Durbar Square, which is 13km away from the VOICE center. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with many ancient temples and monuments. The trainees had time for sightseeing, taking pictures together and visiting the marketplaces.

“I’ve never been to any historic site so far.

Being here with my friends makes me more smile and feel glad.

I don’t think I’ve ever had much diverse and delicious food before until now.

I am very happy today.”

 -Gopimaya Rumba

The Trainees from VOICE center are looking around in the historic site and the marketplaces

The Voice Of The VOICE Center Still Ecoes Today

The self-help group activities in June were more than just a day out with fun. It was a day to give the trainees from the VOICE center the courage and the confidence in themselves. They have been discouraged to go out due to their injuries and disabilities so far. However, they know they are not alone anymore, and they dream for their future together now.  

Furthermore, the VOICE center and its trainees could raise their voices and deliver the message behind the activities to the local communities as well. The staff from the movie theater, who has supported and worked a lot for the trainees to watch the movie, said ‘he thinks there needs to be more disability-friendly theaters in the community where anyone can come over to watch movies.’ Also, a lot of people including the owners of the shops, or the community members were amazed at the trainees for their courage and the strong posture of their lives trying new things, by witnessing their using the bus, eating at the food courts, or looking around in various places. They said in one voice that they have become aware of the fact that the people with disabilities can live their lives and enjoy ordinary days as people without disabilities. 

The Trainees are moving in their wheelchairs

Miral Welfare Foundation is working hard with its best, with VOICE center, both for the financial self-reliance of the people with disabilities in Nepal and for their psychological health and social inclusion. Today, the voice of the people with disabilities in Nepal is echoing in the local communities and reaching to the people in Nepal through the VOICE center and its various activities. Please give a warm encouragement and keep your attention to them, so that the people with disabilities in Nepal can make their dreams come true through vocational trainings and enjoy their ordinary days with their neighbors.

Written by Shinyoung Kim

Pictures by Miral Nepal (VOICE)