Samjhana Takes Her First Steps
USAID project changes the life of this six-year-old and thousands of Nepalis with disabilities
At only six years old, Samjhana — a Nepali girl from a mid-western, hilly district called Jajarkot — has led a hard life. When she was just six months old, an accident involving an open hearth fire left her with burns and other injuries so severe that it forced doctors to amputate parts of both of her legs. For five years, she was unable to walk, attend school, or even play with her friends.
Burns — a global public health concern — lead to significant rates of death and injury, mostly in low- and middle-income countries. In Nepal, burns are the third most common cause of injury, after falls and road traffic accidents.
Unfortunately, Samjhana’s family was unaware of how to care for her amputated legs, so they did not access proper rehabilitation services in a timely manner. Due to this, her leg muscles and joints seized up; she lost her mobility; and her family began to see her as a burden.
Luckily, a radio jingle changed everything. The message came courtesy of the Government of Nepal, which was promoting a mobile camp that USAID’s Strengthening Rehabilitation in District Environs (STRIDE) Project would hold in their community. Soon after, Samjhana’s family took her to meet with the project’s rehabilitation professionals.
The team — which included a physiotherapist, physiotherapy assistant, prosthetist, and orthotist — immediately referred her to Nepalgunj Medical College. A three-hour drive away from Jajarkot, it was the nearest hospital that could perform reconstructive surgery.
Once there, Samjhana’s surgery was conducted free of charge. The operation helped to relax her stiff muscles and repaired her stumps so that she could receive her first set of custom-fitted artificial legs.
Back home, she met with the project’s physical therapists and prosthetic technicians regularly for intense physical therapy and counseling. Diligent in attending her rehabilitation sessions, Samjhana’s efforts helped her to become strong enough to wear artificial legs and built her self-confidence to use them. Ultimately — only six months after her surgery — Samjhana walked for the first time ever.
enough to wear artificial legs and built her self-confidence to use them. / Pralhad Gairapipli for USAID
After seeing Samjhana walk, her parents now see her for who she is — their bright, six-year-old daughter who looks after herself, walks to school, and enjoys playing with other children.
“I am grateful to the rehabilitation team who enabled my daughter to walk independently and go to school herself,” exclaimed Samjhana’s mother, Durga Khatri. “It reduced our burden on taking her to every place — including school — and worrying about her future all the time. Today, we are optimistic on her bright future.”
Her parents now see a positive and productive future for Samjhana, who studies at Annal Jyoti Boarding School in Kathmandu. There, she receives her education for free thanks to STRIDE’s referral to a local organization.
Samjhana also receives rehabilitation services in Kathmandu at National Disabled Fund’s rehabilitation center — one of five centers supported by the project. And, as she continues to grow, STRIDE’s partner’s team at the Nepalgunj Medical College rehabilitation center will continue to fit her with new legs that are appropriate to her size.
Samjhana is now happy and healthy. She enjoys going to school and playing with fellow students, and she has high hopes for her future.
“I like to play with friends and learn new things at school,” Samjhana said. “I want to become a superman when I grow up, because superman always wins!”
Between 2010 and 2019, USAID’s STRIDE Project carried out 274 mobile camps in Nepal.
These camps provided rehabilitation services to over 52,000 Nepalis, enabled over 18,000 to walk again using custom-made assistive devices — including prostheses, orthoses, and mobility and developmental aids — and empowered over 4,000 people with disabilities to work and live more dignified lives, and to embrace self-reliance every day.
About the Authors
Pamala Horugavye is the Senior Development Outreach and Communication Specialist for USAID’s mission in Nepal. Linda Kentro was the Environment Health Team Lead worked in the same mission’s health office from 2006–19. Willy Bergogne has been the Chief of Party for USAID’s Strengthening Rehabilitation in District Environs Project since 2016.
Jingle in English: Notice, Notice, Notice!!! Notice about a health checkup camp for children. CBR Biratnagar is conducting a health checkup camp for children below eighteen with hearing impairments; visual impairments; and mobility issues, such as difficulty with limbs, cerebral palsy, etc. They will be provided with physiotherapy, mobility aids, counseling, and referral services in the camp. So, you are requested to grab the opportunity at Bayarban Health Center.
