Ameegah Paul was diagnosed with Cerebral palsy and Cardiac problems at the age of 3 due to alleged medical negligence from that moment onward, her parents, Rajinee and Alain Paul were determined to raise her as a beautiful and positive human beings. Their priority is to make her realise her full potential.
Ameegah feels blessed to have Rajinee and Alain Paul as parents. They provided her the happy nest that is fundamental for nurturing a child. They helped her overcome the physical obstacles attached to her disability so that she could lead a normal childhood.
While growing up, Ameegah realized that she was “Different” particularly when people started to stare at her differently, comment about her and mock her.
Ameegah has turned into a highly accomplished young woman with a brilliant education track record.
At an early age, the studious Ameegah was instinctively inclined to art. Her academic and artistic flairs as well as her skills would shape her life.
She completed her primary Schooling with Flying colours (CPE: 25 units) even though she had to undergo an operation and also had to face the ridicule and bullying of some students at School.
She endured words that would hurt and demeaned her.
Despite the adversities and marginalisation, Ameegah would rise stronger, braver and more determined than before to go further in life.
Life as an adolescent comes with its share of dares and confrontations for most kids but for Ameegah, it was even more trying. Every day is a challenge for her to commute by bus often she stands throughout the whole journey which is approximately 2 hours drive from her native village, Surinam, in the South of the island to the University of Mauritius, in the Centre. Nevertheless, Ameegah is not among those to give up.
Her daily strife is the empowering measure for Ameegah, allowing her overcome her weaknesses and realise her abilities.
Ameegah is not afraid of any obstacles and she judiciously tackles them.
If you happen to come across her in the bus, you will not miss her sunshine smile. But, life has not always been easy for Ameegah.
* From battling against the challenge of being accepted and included in Society to a victim of sexual harassment, her story is all about courage, passion and dedication.
Her traumatic experiences motivate her to stand and speak for PWDs.
Her indomitable perseverance rests in lending her voice to raise awareness against all injustices inflicted on the Persons with Disabilities.
Ameegah strongly believes that the test one undergoes is to highlight one’s strengths.
Today, our Ameegah has resurfaced as an influential voice and presence in the militancy against violence, harassment and victimisation.
While studies were not an obstacle for her, the Society was. Her real confrontation was out there on the social front.
Regrettably, while growing up, she has realised that some people could be calculatingly abusive, violent, rude, discriminating and spiteful.
Being a victim of Sexual harassment at the age of 14 was a rough period for Ameegah and her parents to undergo and overcome.
But once more, Ameegah bravely came to terms with her trauma and decided to openly talk about it. She stood to condemn the heinous act publicly for herself and others who had faced similar situations.
With the unwavering will to raise public awareness and help victims garner support to combat such acts of sadism, Ameegah founded the NGO, VisioNew.
Together with some other members, she rallies support and tirelessly raises her voice against all types of violence and injustices.
Being a millennial, she amply uses social networks and technologies available with the influencers and public at large.
VisioNew and Social Networking are the platforms where Ameegah reaches a larger public to advocate for a non-abusive and non-discriminatory society against everyone specifically, the PWDs.
Ameegah’s inborn penchant to art offers her blank canvasses to paint and colour opportunities.
Painting represents a means of expression, a way to a resource and to energise herself.
Unfortunately, at school, she was discouraged by her Art Teacher not to take up the subject seriously given her handicap. She could only draw with her left hand. With much regret and dismay, she gave up painting unwillingly.
However, when she was offered an opportunity later to join an association which curate art expositions, previously closed doors were re-opened for her.
Art pulled her back into its embrace.
She took up painting again as a hobby and to the biggest joy and heart fulfilment; She was awarded the Most Promising Female Artist at the competition for two consecutive years. Other awards would follow.
Since then, art has become a regular practice in her life. Art, rather is, part of her being.
It facilitates her healing and ensures her connection with her inner being. For our Ameegah, Art in its multiple colours is an optimistic expression of life’s magnificence and abundance.
Ameegah is a relentless activist advocating for the cause of abuses and discrimination against the marginalised and helpless in society: Persons with Disabilities, the elders and women.
Instead of nurturing self-pity and leading a recluse life, she has transformed into a colourful and energetic being. She can now live her dreams to become a certified accountant.
It allows her to engrossed in her passion for art and service to Humanity.
She firmly believes that her handicap is a blessing because it is allowing her to live a more meaningful life and to reach out to others.
*Ameegah is the living embodiment of life as well as the prospects of inclusion.
Ameegah’s drive to create a more inclusive Society for persons with Disabilities is founded on her personal struggles.
Having her own NGO, she decided to join the association APDH which has aims to fight against discrimination and which ensure inclusion of Persons having Disabilities in the Society. The Association APDH is lead by Mr
Raj and Mr Ashvin Gudday who nominate Miss Ameegah as Treasure and Event Coordinator of the association realising her daily personal and social battles which strengthen his faith in Ameegah. She asserts that we need to rethink about our ecosystem from the early childhood development of kids with disabilities, to training of professionals who instruct and accompany those kids during their educational journey, the infrastructure to make transport, classrooms and assistive technologies more accessible ( the real disabling factors).
Thereafter, creating the right opportunities for equal employment and acceptance of the Special Needs Persons who are otherwise skilled and capable in Society.
She appeals to the Society to walk with the them the PWDs and let them unleash savoir-Faire and knowledge bank their contributively.
She asserts that we need to militate further for the enforcement of national legislations and policies to bring a drastic change in thought and shift in actions.
It is an urgent call to create more opportunities towards inclusion- Social, Political, Cultural etc..
She is hopeful for a better tomorrow for Persons with Disabilities. Meanwhile, She ensures that her voice is heard and her small actions count!
A social activist, an artist, a Global Speaker, Muti-Awardee on both National and international Levels, a Certified Mentor, Event Coordinator APDH, Country President Ekoham Foundation, Country Representative NHRF .
She bagged the Women of the Year Award 2019 in the Category 100 Most Influential Women in Mauritius.
Most Promising Female Artist 2017,
Ambassador of the Global Rainbow Foundation of Mauritius .
Inspiring Youth and Women Award 2020
Candidate to Village council Election 2020.
Awardee of the AGS WOMEN EMPOWERMENT AWARDS 2020.
National Ability Award 2020.
Awardee of the NALANDA-The Pride of Knowledge Award 2021
Ambassador for World Peace.
Best Personality Award 2022.
Global Environmentalist Medal 2021
Awardee of RASHTRIYA SHIKSHA RATAN SAMMAN 2021
Excellence in Inclusive Education Award
Dr APJ ABDUL KALAM International Award of Excellence 2021
VOCATIONAL EXCELLENCE AWARD 2021
Outstanding International Psychologist Award 2021
Global EDU Leader Award 2021
Best Teacher 2021-2022
Outstanding Young Leader of the Year 2022.
“Your courage, strength and perseverance are truly heroic.
These are great abilities and unfortunately, not many so-called ‘normal’ people possess them.”