Balkumari says, “Disability is not a barrier to success”
In Sindhuli, Nepal, 23-year-old Balkumari is proving that disability is not a barrier to success. With determination and support, she has become an entrepreneur running a snack shop with her friends.
In Sindhuli, Nepal, 23-year-old Balkumari has turned challenges into opportunities, demonstrating that determination and talent can overcome all obstacles. Growing up, Balkumari’s world changed as her hearing gradually deteriorated. What began as a quiet challenge became a significant hurdle, particularly in mainstream education.
A new world through sign language
“As I grew older, I realised I was losing my hearing,” she recalls. “I could no longer hear or understand spoken words properly, which created many challenges.” A hearing aid, meant to help, added to her discomfort, failing to bridge the communication gap.
Her life took a pivotal turn when her father enrolled her in a school for students who are deaf. There, Balkumari learned sign language, unlocking a new world of connection and learning. She thrived academically, reaching grade 11, but faced a stark reality: there were limited job prospects for people with hearing loss.
“As I grew older, I realised I was losing my hearing. I could no longer hear or understand spoken words properly, which created many challenges.”
Balkumari
Turning training into a dream business
Determined to forge her own path, Balkumari enrolled in the Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship Development (YEED) programme, a four-year initiative that empowers young women aged 18–24 in Nepal’s Sindhuli and Dhanusha districts.
Launched in September 2022, the YEED programme targets vulnerable young people in rural areas with high unemployment and limited opportunities. Through vocational and life skills training, it teaches participants the tools they need to find employment or start their own business.
Balkumari, took a nine-day training course, “Before the training, I knew nothing about making food,” she says. “After attending, I learned a lot about preparing different types of food and, more importantly, how to turn these skills into a business.” She mastered dishes such as momos and chowmein and gained valuable insights into financial management and business planning.
“Before the training, I knew nothing about making food.”
Balkumari
Plan International
Challenging stereotypes
With the support of YEED, Balkumari and 3 friends who are deaf from her school – Babita, 21, Manika, 18, and Anjana, 22 launched a snack shop. Each of them received seed capital of NPR 55,000, totalling NPR 165,000 for their joint venture. During a three-day entrepreneurship course, the group learned to manage expenses, track finances, and avoid unnecessary costs. Their shop, which is now 5 months old, has become a source of inspiration to others in the community.
Opening the shop wasn’t without challenges. “At first, people seemed curious and surprised,” says Balkumari. “They asked, ‘Can deaf people really do this?’ They seemed unsure about us.” However, this soon turned to admiration as customers tasted the delicious food on offer.
“After eating, they would say, ‘Wow, this tastes amazing! You’ve done a great job!” A price list helped to ease communication, and the team’s excellent service won over the community. “Everyone treats us warmly and values our work,” says Balkumari proudly.
A vision for inclusion and opportunity
Balancing school and running a business is no mean feat. Every morning, Balkumari and her friends open the shop, clean it, take stock and buy supplies. They then attend classes from 10am to 1pm, before returning to the shop by 2pm to serve customers.
With daily sales of NPR 1,500–1,600, the business is thriving, though Balkumari reinvests earnings in essentials. However, her vision extends beyond profit: she dreams of expanding the shop to employ other people who are deaf and people with disabilities, thereby promoting inclusivity and opportunity.
Balkumari is proud to be challenging stereotypes, “Since starting this business, my friends and I have felt very happy and proud,” she says. “Those who used to look down on us now say, ‘You’ve achieved something great!’”
“With the right skills, a person can become self-reliant in any situation,” she says. Her snack shop is just the beginning. With plans to expand her business and inspire others, she is proving that dreams can flourish with determination.
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