Source: UN News: Wednesday, December 10, 2025 00:01 AM
The story of Sushil Adhikari, a Disability Inclusion and Participation Officer and UN Volunteer working for the South Asia Regional Office of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Kathmandu, is an inspiring example of courage and dedication. The joint Youth Advocates Program of UN Volunteers (UNV) and UNICEF provides a one-year professional experience to young people, including people with disabilities, to work on children’s rights. “I lost my sight, but I never lost my perspective.” Sushil Adhikari begins his story with these words – a story not of limitations, but of purpose and determination. As a child, he faced discrimination, loneliness and misconceptions about himself in Nepal. In many places, disability was still considered a ‘punishment from a past life’, and his family too had to face similar taunts. Sushil Adhikari says, “These struggles lit a fire within me. This gave me my aim – to change people’s thinking and make them understand the real meaning of disability.” The same dream led me to work for the rights of youth and people with disabilities. By slowly challenging the misconceptions, I became the voice of those whose voices were not given any importance. He says, “It is important to fight for the rights of youth with disabilities. We should not be ignored, we should be included equally.” In 2024, twenty youth advocates, including Sushil, will join UNICEF as UN Volunteers in countries like Bhutan, Iran, Kenya, Liberia, Moldova, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Peru, Rwanda, Thailand, Turkey and Zimbabwe. Started his work as. This program gives youth the opportunity to learn leadership, gain experience and make meaningful contributions to society. The journey from activism to advocacy Sushil has been active in his community since the beginning. So joining the work of the United Nations was a natural next step for him. “I lost my sight at the age of 11, but I never lost my purpose or courage. I always felt it was important to stand up for what was right,” he recalls. Sushil, at UNICEF South Asia Regional Office, strives to strengthen disability inclusion at every level of programs and operations. © UNICEF He organizes training and experience sharing meetings, conducts remote meetings, fosters collaboration with different organizations and ensures that children and young people with disabilities are not just listeners, but equal partners in finding solutions. Sushil says, “This appointment has been one of the most satisfying experiences of my life. Helping children and young people is something very personal to me, and every small progress makes the effort worthwhile.” He believes that the rules And the complexities of the processes sometimes become challenges, but these challenges further strengthen their dedication and commitment. Message for the young generation Sushil sees the young generation as a big possibility. “I see youth not as beneficiaries, but as leaders and change-makers.” “The sky is the limit. There are countless opportunities to learn, lead and contribute. Just move forward with patience, perseverance and persistence, together, towards a common goal.” Sushil says, “True vision is not in the eyes – it is in the change we dare to create.”
