Manager and Chair person Hope Disability Centre, Tamghas, Gulmi, Nepal
I am Ganga Rayamajhi, Chairwoman and Manager of the Hope Disability Centre, Tamghas, Gulmi, Nepal.
At the age of 4 months both of my legs were badly burned in a kitchen fire accident. When I was 17 years old I was fitted with first set of artificial limbs, during surgery for this at Pokara in 2004 I met Rob Buchanan of MEND and we decided to set up an organisation to help disabled, who had been neglected like myself, and wanted help to uplift themselves.
In 2006 Hope Centre was formally registered in Nepal and has steadily grown in capacity and effectiveness, supporting all disabled persons who request help.
In 2009 the permanent Hope Centre was built on donated land with money raised and donated by several individuals and MEND
Our Hope Centre supports all disabled persons of Gulmi, and other districts of Nepal, with community-based projects and programmes that improve their mobility, health, education, human rights and legal counselling, skills’ training and employment, so they can live with dignity, self-worth, and independence with basic rights in the community.
We believe that “promoting self-help, rather than offering sympathy” to our disabled members is the most effective way for disable’ rehabilitation and usefulness in a country that has had a long struggle with militancy, gender inequality, caste system, discrimination, human rights’ violations, political mismanagement and poverty.
In 2011/12 the second floor was built with funds raised and donated by several supporters (groups). The Hope Disability Centre now established its place as the only such effective, caring rehabilitation Centre in this district.
Nov/Dec 2011 – Ganga and her companion arrived in the UK as guest of Gulmi Samaj UK which organised a dinner and dance party fundraising on 4 Dec for Hope Centre, she stayed at the home of Chairman Mr. Thapa. A total of £11,124.68 for the Hope Centre in Gulmi was raised. This was a very successful trip and Gulmi Samaj UK is now one of the major sponors of the Hope Centre. Photos of her trip added to the (Photo Gallery click here)
Aug 2010 – One month MIUSA Leadership training course Oregon USA
