Chandrakala

“My name is Chandrakala, I am 32 years old.I was interested in becoming a beautician. But my parents don’t like me to go outside or participate in training, only because of my physical disability.

One of my legs is smaller than the other, so I have problems with mobility. When I was three years old, I got a weakness in my leg. Because of the superstitions of community and family members, they said that there was some effect of God in me. They performed traditional rituals. People said it could be Polio, which was widespread in Nepal at that time. I did go to hospital with my parents, but the doctor could not provide a diagnosis and I could not get treatment. My leg became very thin and started being shorter.

They always say that I can’t do anything, so just stay inside the home, and support us in the household chores.

Now, I am a member of a self-help group. One year ago, I started a small retail shop in my own house. For that I had to fight with my family members, but still I started that.

During a meeting of the self-help group, we discussed the Futuremakers project, and it was agreed in that meeting that I would get involved. I participated in three months of beautician training, and I was supported to start this business.

Since I received training through this project, I’m so happy. I just want to appreciate the support that this team and this project is providing.

Recently, after closing this business each day, I go back home in the evenings and share that I had this kind of transaction and this kind of saving today. But still my parents are not accepting that. They are saying let’s see what you can do in the future. You are just starting your business. We don’t care for that and don’t believe that you can do this.

Although I didn’t get support from my family members, there are other people who are supporting me. I feel very happy and encouraged.

Now I have enough confidence to show my family that I am able to do whatever I want. I want to provide a message to all the community, to those who were neglecting me because of my disability in the past, I want to prove that a person with a disability can also build a business and become independent.”

This project is funded by the Standard Chartered Foundation and delivered by CBM and DECN in partnership with the Standard Chartered Foundation. It is part of Futuremakers by Standard Chartered, a global initiative to tackle inequality by promoting economic inclusion for disadvantaged young people, including those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.