Film
From Barriers to Purpose
How a Blind Woman in Nepal Turned Rejection into Resilience, Founding Gratitude Nepal
Shilpa Dhungel worked with nonprofit organizations in Nepal as an intern, proving herself as a capable and dedicated worker. Yet again and again, her blindness was considered a limitation. No matter what she accomplished, she faced barriers shaped by what others believed she could not do. Through counseling and psychosocial training, she began to see her own strength differently. She realized that even if no one else believed in her, she could move forward as long as she believed in herself. Today, she is turning that resilience into action by starting Gratitude Nepal, an organization grounded in a simple belief: we must feel thankful for life.
Featuring: Shilpa Dhungel, Jayanti Damai
Writer/ Director: Shilpa Dhungel
Cinematography: Nirajan Singh
Edit/ Post Production: Ashma Gautam
Mentors: Rajan Kathet, Sikuma Rai
Production Co-ordinators: Srijana Tabebung, Sushant Shrestha
Production Company: Salpa Films
Access this film with audio descriptions. (Audio captions and editing by Sarah Mesdjian)
Filmmaker: Shilpa Dhungel
Shilpa Dhungel is a blind social activist based in Kathmandu, originally from Dhangadhi. She is a psychosocial counselor and the founder of Gratitude Nepal. With nearly a decade of experience in the nonprofit sector, she has worked extensively with women-led and disability-led organizations. Shilpa is also a skilled trainer, passionate about women’s empowerment, mental health, soft skills, and the arts. Beyond her professional work, she loves practicing spirituality, learning new things, writing and listening to diverse stories, and embracing self-love. She believes deeply in inclusive equality and empathy as guiding principles for her life and work.
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