Independent despite disability
In Mugu, a remote mountain region in north-western Nepal, disability often means death – not necessarily actual death, but social death. It is particularly difficult for men, who are traditionally seen as providers, if they are unable to raise and support a family due to their disability.
The story of 30-year-old Mangal Royaka defies this fate: as a small child, Mangal contracted polio, a disease that his family was only able to identify years later. Because a family member carried him on his back every day, Mangal was able to attend school until the 10th grade despite the serious illness. However, as the journey to secondary school then became too far, he had to drop out of school.
Suddenly he was condemned to stay inside and look after the house and the children in his extended family. After all, he couldn’t walk, only crawl on his knees.
But Mangal was not discouraged. He discovered his passion for fixing things and began collecting old and discarded items to repair radios. In 2019, our sponsorship coordinator Dil Subba visited Mangal’s village on a project trip and got to know him. Dil was fascinated by Mangal’s extraordinary drive. Back to Life immediately decided to support him in the spirit of “helping people to help themselves”.
Education and entrepreneurship: Mangal fixes everything – including his life
Mangal received funding for a 3-month individual cell phone repair course, which he enthusiastically completed from April to July 2020 in the provincial capital Gamgadhi. During this time, he also learned how to use computers. Together with our employees, he then drew up a business plan. As a result, he received a start-up grant and a laptop to open a repair store in his home village of Hyanglu, which was unprecedented in the region. Thanks to the business, Mangal can earn his own living and live independently.
In his store, he not only repairs cell phones, radios and other electronic devices, but also plays music, pictures and films on his customers’ cell phones. His business plan is working, his store is very busy and even allows him to invest in new tools and equipment.
Mangal is now even training young people from his mountain region. The local council finances the 45 to 60-day courses, as well as a good allowance for Mangal.
The great love
In 2021, Mangal’s life takes another turn: he meets Kamala, five years his junior, and immediately falls in love. The fascination is mutual. Kamala is very impressed by Mangal’s success, charisma and work ethic. The two soon get married.
The happily married couple now look after Mangal’s store together. So that Kamala can help well, her husband has trained her in the use of computers. But Mangal’s goals know no bounds: he uses his hard-earned savings to buy a printer to create documents for his customers. Demand for such services is high in the mountains because many people cannot read or write themselves and very few of those who can do so own a laptop.
Mangal and Kamala’s boundless happiness
On June 9, 2022, Kamala and Mangal become the overjoyed parents of little Aarakshya, which means protector. The birth takes place without complications at the Back to Life birth center in Gamtha.
Two years later, three family members became four, as Mangal and Kamala’s second daughter Sujata was born healthy on July 5, 2024. The young family’s dreams came true when a piece of land became available in the neighboring village of Majhchaur. With the help of Back to Life, Mangal acquired the land to enable his family to build their own home. In his planning, our Back to Life construction engineer placed particular emphasis on accessibility in the house. The result is three rooms, a well-equipped bathroom and a terrace – a true model home. The new toilet in particular is a blessing for Mangal. In the previous rented apartment, it was a pain for him to use the toilet on the floor because of his disability.
After moving into the house with his family in August 2024, he can leave all his worries behind. “The most important thing is that I have a wonderful family and now a house of my own. All of this was made possible thanks to the support of Back to Life,” he later emphasizes.
Mangal’s story is an inspiration for everyone: he bravely overcame the hurdles in his life and literally fixed his fate. This is how he became a dazzling figure in his village community. The entire Back to Life team is wholeheartedly happy for Mangal and Kamala, and we are excited for what the future holds for them.
