While stitching, she uses hand gestures to occasionally speak to her friends. Time and again, her gaze travels to her 2-year-old son playing by the door. She continues her work after stealing a glance at him. This is what it’s like inside the office space Kavre Development Association of the Deaf (KDAD) located in the district’s Banepa Municipality, Ward 9.

 

Manandhar goes to the association to learn skills almost every day. Her son is at work with her as his school is closed. She says that despite having a caretaker at home, she wants her son to always be with her, so he accompanies his mother to work. “To come to work and chat with friends is much better than to sit leisurely at home,” she says. “Time passes quickly when I work here.”

 

Manandhar has learned a handful of skills. She can make many things, like hats made out of wool, dolls, garlands, and more. Her hands are never truly free. Her husband, who also has hearing and speaking imparity, has supported her in this field. They both learned handicraft skills at the association. “My husband helps me out whenever he has the time,” she says.

 

According to her, she has been involved in various skill-learning programmes organised by the association over the past four years. In the past, she never received a proper opportunity despite having the will to learn skills at a young age. KDAD gave her the opportunity, and her family fully backed her up. She credits her family’s support as the chief motivator for her endeavours.

 

Now, making handicraft has become her source of earnings. “My greatest satisfaction in life is to earn doing what I do,” says Manandhar. She is happy with what she earns as it is sufficient to make a living and support the family if needed.

 

Like Manandhar, 23-year-old Khari Maya Jimba is also learning skills at the association. Beside her is a ball of yarn at a side and two knitting needles. She is making a hat. Just as the yarn is taking shape, the life of Kharimaya has also begun to take a new shape. There is an addition of energy and zeal in her life. For the past three years, she has been living in the hostel of Kavre School for the Deaf.