Blind Nepali Student Aspiring for Quality Education and a Better Future

My name is Jayaram Lamichhane, and I am 21 years old. I currently reside in Kathmandu, Nepal, as a student attending the second year of my intermediate level at Goldengate International College. I have an ambition to obtain further higher education, and although I feel universities in my country could have potential in the future, they are not a proper fit for my present condition as a blind individual. I have a passion for education, and want to be able to contribute to my family in whatever way I can. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that I am someone who is literally dying to get an opportunity to get a better life and better future

I lost my vision relatively recently (two years ago), and since then, I have found it a huge struggle to continue to strive towards achieving my goals, due to the lack of support, especially limited finances. Nepal being a third world country lacks the resources and support system that would allow blind/visually impaired individuals to achieve independence and be successful. There are no proper organizations that provide training skills or assistance for the blind, and therefore, life as a blind individual is very challenging and frustrating. I come from a low class family, and I do not have many financial resources. The only way I have been able to get whatever education I have is, through hard work and some local scholarships, which are far and few.

It is these struggles and challenges that motivate me to want to pursue good quality education. I have a strong desire to do so from a college/university in the United States, and major in hospitality and tourism management to strengthen the poor conditions that are relevant to the underdeveloped industries in my country. The United States has all the resources, services, facilities and accommodations that I need to pursue good quality education and continue to work towards achieving my career goals.

I have not allowed my vision loss to stop me from achieving many other things, and I wish to strive for more. I am able to speak several languages including Hindi, Urdu, Nepali, and Chinese. I have also received various awards from participating in quiz and debate competitions, as well as running and playing cricket over the past years. In my free time, I enjoy swimming, singing, playing the drums, keyboard, and a Nepali instrument known as the Madal. Although it is stressful, I excel academically among the other members of my class.

With much encouragement and confidence, I believe that your support in funding could be a great contribution in helping me find the correct school to study at. I aspire to succeed, and it would be a privilege and nothing less than a dream come true for me if I am able to pursue a degree at a university in the United States. It would allow me to become independent and lead a more fulfilling and successful life. It will also allow me to pursue my personal, educational, and professional goals just like other sighted individuals, and would help me make a difference in my own community. Not only in the area of bettering infrastructure and obtaining proper materials for education, but to change the negative perceptions that many people have towards blindness and disabilities in general.