Meet the Children

Nirmala, a blind student, with Olga Murray
Nirmala | Nirmala is one of NYOF's great success stories. Blind since birth, she grew up in a poor family in rural Nepal. Nirmala's older sister, brother, and father are blind as well. In their village, people thought they must have earned very bad karma to deserve such misfortune, and the family was subjected to scorn and ridicule.

Although Nirmala desperately wanted to get an education, none of the schools near her village had any facilities for the blind. When her father died when she was six years old, the future looked bleak for her family. Nirmala seemed destined for a life of begging in the streets. But at age seven, Nirmala's life was forever changed.

Watch a video of Nirmala describing the happiest moment of her life:

Not only was Nirmala's education supported by scholarships from NYOF, she also lived at
K House, NYOF's excellent home for girls in Nepal. She excelled academically and refused
to be held back by her disability.

Nirmala, a disabled girl, hosting a radio program Even at this young age, Nirmala was dedicated to providing opportunities for others, particularly Nepal's large and oppressed disabled population. When she was in high school, she had her own radio program in Nepal devoted to educating the public about the problems and talents of the disabled. She has made speeches before many groups on this subject, been written up in numerous magazines and newspapers, and frequently been interviewed on Nepali radio and television as an example of what the blind can accomplish.

Nirmala was the first athlete to represent Nepal in the Paralympic Games in Athens in 2004, where she participated in the shot put.

After completing high school, she received a Fulbright Fellowship to attend Colorado State University in the United States. Even while at the University, rather than remain in the luxuries of the Western World, Nirmala was determined to return to Nepal to improve the lives of the many Nepali people in need.

Read a letter that Nirmala wrote when she was a student at Colorado State University, which shows her courage and dedication. Voice of Women (VOW), June 2005 (2437kb pdf)

Nirmala with medals. This visually impaired woman now works for the U.N.

Nirmala graduated from Colorado State University in 2007. Both of her blind siblings have earned masters degrees, funded by NYOF, and are now supporting themselves as teachers in private schools. Her older sister Sita was the first blind Nepali to earn a masters degree.

Read an article in a Colorado newspaper about the challenges Nirmala has overcome, written just after she graduated. Vail Daily, May 19, 2007

Nirmala now helps gives back to people in need by working for the United Nations. She provides guidance to refugees from Bhutan who will be relocated to the United States, preparing them for life in the Western World. She also counsels children with disabilities and advises their parents to provide them with opportunities.

Read an inspiring article about how Nirmala thinks of her blindness as an advantage. Republica, November 12, 2009

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