They Know The Struggles Of Being Visually Impaired, Together Neetu & Dashraj Are Uplifting Many More Like Them

In 1998, when a visually challenged teenage girl approached Mr. Dashraj Gyawali for a safe home to stay, he readily agreed. How could he have said ‘no’? Visually challenged himself, Dashraj was shocked to know that this teenager was facing various issues at the place she was staying then - she even confessed to being s*xually harassed by her landlord.

“The girl couldn’t afford to stay in a costly PG or even in the hostels. She was scared but she was also determined to continue her studies. All she needed from me was a safe place to stay. I knew I had to help her,” - Dashraj Gyawali, Founder, of Vinayak Visually Challenged Women Welfare Society.   

This was not the first time. Incidents like this slowly became a norm here. Dashraj’s home became a safe haven for visually-challenged girls in need. Neetu Singh from Varanasi was among one such girl in 2002 who took shelter in Dashraj’s care. Born visually challenged, her parents abandoned her in the hospital. Today, she is a big sister to these girls, taking care of them, looking after them, and working with Dashraj to give them a better life. 

Little did he know that he would soon be supporting many more visually challenged girls in the future 

Dashraj was only 21 when he ran away from his home in Gumli, Nepal. His family was not ready to support his education. So when young Dashraj heard a radio announcement about visually challenged kids being provided free food and education at Sri Hanuman Prasad Poddar Andh Vidyalaya, Varanasi, he knew this was his only opportunity to get educated. With sheer determination, he completed his MPhil in Hindi from DU and retired as the Principal of a government school. But this 64 YO is also the revered Guruji to 80+ visually challenged girls. He has given them a safe home and the support they need to succeed. 

But with dwindling funds and donations and failing health, Dashraj struggles to give them better facilities. The rooms are small and don’t have proper ventilation. During the summer months, they become unbearably hot. They often fall short of groceries and medicines. 2-3 girls are forced to share a bed. Neetu and Dashraj want to change all of that. 

“These girls come from underprivileged families from Assam, Jharkhand, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh. They have no support from their parents yet they want to study further, get a good job. Their determination gives me a new purpose. I am so happy to be able to work for them,” - Neetu Singh. 

Talking of her own struggles, Neetu shares how there was no one to guide her during her initial days. There have been days when she begged on the streets to pay her college fees. Despite facing discrimination and suffering for her disability, this brave woman has refused to be bogged down by societal pressure. She is working tirelessly for several young girls like her and educating more and more people about how they can support the visually challenged. 

These girls dream of a better future, you can make that happen  

Dashraj Gyawali wants to create a world where no one will be discriminated against based on their disabilities. He is a burning example for all these girls who want a better life for themselves. Over the years, these girls have secured jobs in banks, hospitals, and the education sector too. Many have started their own families. Dashraj wishes to build a better place for many more visually challenged girls where they can stay safe and fulfill their dreams. But that won’t be possible without your help. 

You can donate groceries, medicines, construction materials, mattresses, hygiene products, etc, and support this 64 YO man’s mission. Every donation will create a big difference.