Whether in a Self-Help Group (SHG) meeting or discussing challenges of People with Disabilities (PwDs), Bijoy Mahali never leaves a chance to share his life experience and the change brought by the CBR programme. He is never shy about testifying himself in any social functions, religious activities, or community events.

Born with visual impairment and losing parents in early childhood, Bijoy has seen life from a microscope.

He has seen poverty and loneliness where even his own brother has left him alone. He somehow managed his life with a little support from the neighbours. The community members also ignored him and did not engage him in any useful activities.  

Today, Bijoy owns a small grocery shop and is also married. He lives a happy life and the couple work together to make their life more beautiful. 

The whole story started shaping with the Caritas India Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) programme started in 2019 at Tengakhat block of Dibrugarh district in Assam. The CBR team identified Bijoy and tried to build a personal rapport on a regular basis and find out his likes and dislikes. He was included in the village-level meetings along with other persons with disabilities and their parents. This enabled the community to understand the needs, problems, schemes and entitlements available for persons with disabilities for their empowerment, inclusion and participation in society. He was also included in the Village Self Help Group (SHG) of PwDs as a member.

This has opened him to interact closely with other members of the village.

CBR Staff observed that he was engaged in a small roadside grocery shop to spend his time and earn a small amount of money. He had started this shop with the support of his friend, Mangal Majhi, who helped him to get financial support of Rs. 5,000. Mangal used to regularly visit and give him company. 

As he is already an adult, discussions were held with him and the village community on the marriage proposals. During one of the discussions, he shared his likeness to a girl from the Tea Garden area. The matter was discussed on the larger platform including with the girl parents and the community people who supported the proposal. As he was alone most of the time, he needed someone to be with him. Seeing his dedication and commitment to the village level SHG of PwDs as well as his engagement in his small-time business with the support of his close friend, the parents of the girl agreed and accepted to get them married. With the support of the CBR team and the village community, he got married in Dec 2020.

The VSHG members recommended him for livelihood Support under the CBR programme. He was sanctioned a sum of Rs. 10,000 to enhance his income generation activity through his roadside shop. He signed an agreement with the VSHG and the members ensured the submission of all documents required to receive the fund. Since then, there was no turning back for Bijoy. His wife also works in the local tea garden and earns wages while he managed his new Grocery shop.

The team also facilitated his disability pension, and since 2019, he started receiving Rs. 1000 every month as his pension. He also received his UDID card, Aadhar card etc. Bijoy has become a symbol of hope for other people with disabilities who goes through similar circumstances but can overcome with dedication and courage to lead their life sustainably.

People with disabilities face structural barriers in our system, whether in education, in employment or through widespread discriminatory attitudes which limit their chances of achieving success on an equal basis with others. Caritas India’s CBR programme is working towards providing equal opportunities and social integration for all people with disabilities.