#HumansCare | Goma

Goma is from Thimi, Nepal. She is a carer for her 12 year old daughter Apekshya, who has Cerebral Palsy.

She was introduced to our carers’ programme through the day care centre that her daughter attends run by our partner organisation SGCP. She is a regular at our Carers Support Group meetings and took part in basic training in computing as part of our livelihood initiative.

We wanted to share some of her thoughts on the importance of looking after, and advocating for, family carers, and the value of mental health support for carers.

Goma studied computing for three months and due to this was able to get her current job in administration at her daughter’s day care centre:

“That very training is the reason I can call myself employed right now…I explored the computers myself at home in my free time and now I can work and complete basic tasks with computers. I am happy to get that chance or else I would have never been able to afford the price and commit to learning something so new at this age of my life.”

Goma is very happy to have discovered the Carers Support Group and points out the importance of making sure that carers are being cared for:

“Many people ask about our kids and how they are, but this program was so unique, and it completely makes sense. If we are healthy and in good state of mind, only then can we care for our kids.”

She said of taking part in a Carer’s Day rally:

“I was part of the entire celebration of carers, the carers were speaking and sharing their feelings, they were singing, celebrating themselves. That was so powerful and it is great that there is a group that works for our welfare and is trying to help us have a better life.”

She recently also took advantage of our counselling service and said of the experience:

“The entire team has helped me with livelihood and building my confidence, but the mental help that I received was the most important help I feel. One’s peace of mind should never be underestimated, and I am so happy that carers are being made aware of it and they are, like I am, receiving help too.”

Although Goma does still struggle with her caring responsibilities and feelings of isolation, being a part of our carers’ programme – having the support of others in the same position, as well as access to counselling – has made a big impact on her life and we are so pleased to be able to share her thoughts with you here.

If you would like to help us help more people like Goma, then you can donate here. Thank you.