Punya Foundation awards scholarships to 5 blind and visually impaired female students in Nepal for their bachelor level of education. This is a new project starting from May 2021.
The Blind Women Association of Nepal (BWAN) in collaboration with Punya Foundation Nepal developed the modality for successful implementation of the scholarship program. The scholarship provision was advertised for 6 weeks through various social media with the following criteria.
Primary Selection Criteria
Female students in possession of Nepal government issued disability card as a legally blind or visually impaired person
Secondary Selection Criteria
Financially disadvantaged family
Student from remote part of Nepal
Student from public school
Students with more than one disabled sibling in the family
Not receiving scholarship from any other sources
35 students applied and the BWAN team screened the applicants against a predetermined checklist. 13 students were shortlisted. On 30 April 2021, the students were interviewed by a panel of 5 academicians against a set of questions. The team of panelist consisted of: Ms Sita Subedi, President BWAN, Ms Neera Adhikari, Government Section Officer/Inspector, Ms Shrijana Dhakal, Board Member BWAN and schoolteacher, Ms Binda Bhurtel, Board Member BWAN and School Inspector. Mr Mohan Niraula (President, Punya Foundation Nepal) and Dr Lakshmi Prasad Dhakal (Founder Punya Foundation) were the observers.
The successful candidates for the academic year 2021 are as follows:
- Ms Sarita Baniya, Rupandehi
- Ms Bishnu Danuwar, Sindhupalchowk
- Ms Manisha Rana (Tharu), Kanchanpur
- Ms Chaaya Sunar, Humla
- Ms Bhuma Kharel, Rupandehi
The BWAN executives and its board members volunteered since the beginning of 2021 to make the selection process successful. Among others, Ms Saraswati Acharya, Ms Anita Sigdel, Ms Laxmi Adhikari, Ms Gauri Thapa, Ms Dipika Sharma, Ms Sunita Nepali, Ms Yamuna Paudel, Ms Anuja Gurung, Mr Bhavendra Pathak, Ms Laxmi Nepal, and Ms Garima Chaulagai played a crucial role throughout the process.
The Queensland State Team of Punya Foundation Australia generates fund to sponsor blind student scholarship program. Queensland State Team Manager Mr Indra Rizal expressed fulfilling to have taken the initiative and thanks all involved in the process. The scholarship amounts to 2,000 NRS per student per month.