Kamli Badai

Kamli Badai’s story is a tale of the remarkable resilience and strength of a young girl in the face of immense challenges. At a young age, Kamli was the breadwinner for her family, a responsibility that weighed heavily on this young girl's shoulders. Born deaf and mute, Kamli belongs to a family where both her parents and two older sisters also share the same physical challenge. She is the youngest child in her family, and though Kamli's sisters are married, the young girl moved to Pokhara, to earn and support her aging parents. Originally from Nawalparasi, Kamli’s life has never been easy. Financial hardships forced the young girl to leave school after grade 5. Kamli has had to navigate not only her family’s poverty but also the additional societal challenges that come with being differently-abled. Yet, Kamli’s spirit remained unbroken. Six months ago, Kamli’s life took a positive turn when she was called by Bikash Poudel, her pashmina manufacturing handloom tutor and a close family friend from her hometown. Bikash introduced her to Yes Helping Hands Pashmina and Cashmere Manufacturing Center, a social organization that provides free-of-cost pashmina and cashmere manufacturing training and employment opportunities to people with physical challenges and hardships in life. Empowering women and physically challenged people to earn a livelihood and live independently is the main mission of Yes Helping Hand. Eager to support the family, Kamli quickly joined the Yes Helping Hand team and underwent three months of intensive pashmina and cashmere training. Though she had never worked before, the young girl proved to be a fast learner.  While it typically takes other people 3 to 4 months to master the Pashmina handloom, Kamli learned the pashmina manufacturing craft in just 2 and a half months, becoming one of the youngest and most efficient workers at Yes Helping Hands. The young girl now makes 10 pashmina and cashmere shawls per day. Kamli has found a sense of belonging at Yes Helping Hands, where she has formed friendships with her fellow workers, despite being much younger than most of them. The supportive environment has allowed the young girl to thrive, giving her the confidence to provide for her family and care for her elderly parents. “I love the work I’m doing,” Kamli says, expressing her gratitude to Yes Helping Hands Pashmina and the Cashmere manufacturing center for the opportunity they’ve provided her. Though Kamli's life has been filled with challenges, she has found a safe haven where she can grow, learn, and earn for her family.  The young girl's story is an inspiration, showing how determination and courage can break through even the toughest barriers in life. Kamli’s journey in life has just begun, but she already stands as the pillar of hope for young people, proving that even in the face of adversity, strength, and perseverance can lead to a brighter future.