Prema Rijal Kusari
Prema Rijal Kusari was 30 years old when she joined EPSA Nepal in August 2018. She comes from Nepalgunj, a town in the Banke District, and is part of a large family with five sisters and four brothers. With twelve mouths to feed, her family barely scraped by, relying on their modest farm for sustenance. They sold cow’s milk to afford additional necessities, but their financial struggles were constant and unrelenting. Amidst these challenges, Prema’s life took a harrowing turn that would forever shape her future.
When Prema was eight years old, her family faced a tragic ordeal. Maoist insurgents kidnapped one of her brothers to force him into military training. In a courageous act, Prema’s mother retrieved her son, but the Maoists returned for revenge. In a terrifying exchange of gunfire, Prema and her younger brother were caught in the crossfire. It took several agonizing days before a doctor could extract the bullet from her leg, leaving her with a lifelong disability that severely impeded her ability to walk.
The aftermath of the incident brought further hardships. Unable to walk long distances, Prema had to discontinue her formal education. However, her thirst for knowledge drove her to pursue informal private tuition and self-study, which enabled her to complete her School Leaving Certificate (SLC). She also received vocational training in sewing and candle-making. Back in her village, she spent her days cooking, managing household chores, and tending to the cattle.
Prema’s path took a hopeful turn when a friend introduced her to EPSA Nepal. With four unmarried sisters still living at home, she was determined to gain skills and independence. Joining EPSA, she hoped to learn handicraft skills and eventually establish an organization in her village to employ people with disabilities. Despite the adversity she faced, Prema’s story is one of resilience and determination. Her journey with EPSA Nepal reflects her unwavering spirit and her aspiration to uplift others facing similar challenges.