Growing up in a community where being different is frowned upon, Vilma struggled to find her voice. She grew up at the receiving end of insults and getting teased for a disability condition that she did not even ask for to begin with. Life has deprived her of the many opportunities – education, employment, basic social services - that she could have enjoyed had she not suffered from polio at a young age. It also did not help that she and her eight siblings, two of them with mental disability, had to worry about basic necessities like putting food on their table every single day. This was how Vilma viewed life – a day-to-day struggle that she had no control over.

All these were evident when Vilma first attended the Maybank R.I.S.E. training. She quietly sat in one corner, flashing a seemingly embarrassed smile when asked to share her thoughts. But despite this apparent show of lack of self-esteem, her eyes expressed eagerness and willingness to learn. Although she would hide her coursebook and her answers when approached, she would also listen intently to the advice and encouraging words of the speakers.

Come first mentoring, everyone, including her, was surprised when she finally gathered enough strength to speak up. She quietly raised her hand in a very Vilma-like manner and started sharing about how she managed to raise her income from peddling homecare and beauty products after a few weeks. There was a sudden sense of pride and accomplishment when everyone applauded, while she shared how she was able to raise her income and save up to support herself and her siblings. Her words enabled her fellow PWDs, even their NGO leaders, to believe that it was indeed possible to succeed if they would exert time, effort and hardwork to their business.