Voice Of Women power to create change

My Cup of Tea

Date: 8 August
Hostess: Shashi Kala Singh, chairperson, Technical and Skill Development Centre for Blind and Disabled (TSDCBD)
Participants: Milan B K, computer teacher, TSDCBD
Ganesh Bahadur Singh, founder member, TSDCBD
Pramendra Dhakal, president, Fellowship Society Nepal (FSN)
Sushil Man Singh Pradhan, director, TSDCBD
Bijay Gurung, singer

Life beyond sight
Black for the blind is the most unquestionable form of survival; a colour which epitomises even the most insignificant aspect of their lives to the most handsomely ones. Black for the blind is the most bewitching form of beauty; a colour, which indelibly refuses to leave them for even an infidel moment in their entire lifetime.

Nepal has a population of over 20 million and approximately 16 percent suffer from one or more eye diseases. Statistics reveal that almost four percent are either totally or partially blind with the rate steadily increasing every year. Most sighted people feel that blind people need a lot of help and support. Most of us see them as misfortunate people and tend to keep them behind doors. Well, its now time to change our thought processes. Blindness is no longer a tragic situation. It does not stop people from developing concepts, getting an education, being independent and above all being happy and living a full life.

Technical and Skill Development Centre for Blind and Disabled (TSDCBD) is an institution that provides training with the mission to improve the lives of the blind, deaf and physically disabled. It provides them with courses that assist them in discovering their true potential. A non-governmental organisation, TSDCBD not only conducts training sessions but also provides job opportunities. In this month's session of My Cup of Tea, hosted by Shashi Kala Singh, chairperson, TSDCBD, we meet three visually challenged individuals who have triumphed every trial in life. They, along with three others from TSDCBD, share their experiences.


Shashi Kala Singh
I started TSDCBD in 1991 with the hope of empowering the blind and the disabled. In Nepal the situation is very difficult for the blind as many are without education and employment. People with disabilities are hidden away from the society. We have a huge percentage of people in Nepal with visual disabilities and it's a sad fact that most of them are from rural areas where conditions are below average. Most families, even today, regard blindness as manifestations of punishment bestowed by God for the wrongs done in their past lives. Education, I feel, is necessary for their improved living conditions. The blind need to educate themselves in order to cope with society as a whole. At the Centre, we provide special trainings for the blind to assist them in empowering themselves. Some of our trainings include candle making, art and clay workshops, musical training, painting, knitting and weaving. I have been in this sector for almost 35 years now and the one thing I've realised is that the visually impaired are as gifted as any of us. In fact I've seen that they are more dedicated and concentrated in what they do which enables them to grasp things much easily. They have an innate sense of intelligence that helps them cope with all difficulties.


Training and Skill Development Centre for Blind and Disabled
TSDCBD was started in March 1991. From then to the present date TSDCBD has provided different trainings with the mission to improve the lives of the blind, deaf, physically disabled, slow learners and disadvantaged people and assist them in discovering their true potential taking an active part in society. TSDCBD is a non-governmental organisation located at Nagaun, Kirtipur and is registered in affiliation with Social Welfare Council. In their programme, students from the valley and from remote areas of the country come to the Center for a six-month training. During this time, they try to teach the students specific skills according to their interests and abilities, which will improve their future employment chances and eventually enable them to lead an independent life.


Fellowship Society Nepal
Fellowship Society Nepal (FSN) is a social, disabled centered non-government organisation. It was formed in 2000 with the aim of upgrading disabled people as well as bringing them into the mainstream of national development. It is located in Balkhu, Kathmandu. Since its establishment FSN has been launching different programmes to promote disabled people. FSN has also initiated different awareness raising, skill development, cultural programmes and Braille equipment distribution in various places in the country.


Milan B K
Due to typhoid, I lost vision in one eye when I was three. At 16 years, I fell ill due to which my other eye was spoilt. The doctor who treated it only made the problem worse. Now I cannot see at all. When I came to Kathmandu from Kavre after my SLC exams I faced extreme difficulties. For the first time I realised that I was disabled. It was then that I decided to fight my disability and make my life better. I came to know about TSDCBD and made up my mind to join it. With time, I did well academically and today I work as computer teacher at the Center. I live a normal life and am associated with a number of social organisations too. I visit my village regularly and work with a number of clubs there. I am also associated with cultural and social awareness programmes. When I was young I could see everything and I still know what the world looks like. I remember every aspect of nature and the colours and though I cannot see them now I can feel them through my imagination and sense of hearing. I consider myself lucky because I have always got support from friends and family. I do not think I am in any way inferior to the sighted. I feel that nothing is impossible if you have the will to do it.


Ganesh Bahadur Singh
I have been working at the Center since its inception and I know a lot about the life of the visually disabled. The biggest problem they face is mobility; it becomes difficult for them to travel so they need assistance. Finding jobs is also difficult for them especially in today's context Otherwise they are as good as people with sight and sometimes even better. When the blind come to our center for the first time they face some problems of adjustment because most of them come from villages and do not have much knowledge of city life. Some of them are even depressed. After undergoing training at the Center they are ready to face life. Society needs to become aware of visually challenged people and come forward to assist them. With a little help these people can live a completely normal life.


Bijay Gurung
I have been associated with the musical band 'Kalind' since its inception. I was fond of music since I was a young boy and it feels wonderful to be able to do what I like most. My friends and family have always supported me and never make me feel different. Being visually impaired I do face problems especially while travelling but it no longer bothers me. We often visit exotic places and I enjoy them as much as my friends. I can distinguish a few dark colours from the light ones which make things a little easy. I have never lost hope in life. I feel I am as gifted as the rest and always try hard to grab every opportunity. I am also the executive director of my studio Soundworks. I enjoy what I do and hope to do much more in the future.


Pramendra Dhakal
I came to Kathmandu from Hetuda when I was eight years old. I am partially blind since birth. I could even read bold letters in newspapers and magazine but it's been five years that I have lost my sight completely. Although I am visually impaired I am living a normal life, carrying out all my daily activities. During my school days, I met Shashi Kala ma'am and since then I wanted to open an organisation that works for training and rehabilitation of the disabled. After completing my Diploma from Mahendra Ratna College in 2000 I launched an organisation Fellowship Society Nepal (FSN) with the aim of upgrading disabled people as well as integrating them into the national mainstream. Since it's establishment we have been doing different cultural, awareness raising and assistive device distribution programmes to promote disabled people. By keeping in mind that disabled people have difficulty in finding services we even launched employment-based programmes like radio jockey training. I am glad to say that the students who have been trained here have set up their own businesses and some are also running a programme on Bhaktapur FM.


Sushil Man Singh Pradhan
I got involved with TSDCBD as an executive member. Later in 2000, I got actively involved in the planning process as Director of the organisation. Students come from remote areas of the country for our trainings. Our courses are simple compared to the ones taught in other organisations with few special adjustments for the blind. We focus on Braile and sound devices to teach them. Blind students have good memory power and they learn much faster than other people.


For more details contact:
Shashi Kala Singh
chairperson, TSDCBD, Kirtipur
Phone: 4330178

– Vaishali Pradhan, Archana Rai, Kamna Thapa