Thejavinuo Mere: Turning disability into a special skill

Thejavinuo Mere. (Morung Photo) 

Morung Express News
Kohima | January 16 

18 years old Thejavinuo Mere is a special baker. She started her baking career in 2019 and now works as a home based baker catering to birthdays and festive orders in Kohima.

Mere left school when she was in Class 8 due to her disability that triggered health problems. When Mere was five years old, a case of rickets left her with deformity in her legs and a permanent muscle weakness. This meant swollen legs and pain even if she walked for a few minutes. Going to school became a struggle, while short outings became impossible.

“It's going to be four years now. I miss going to school. And I miss not being able to go out often,” says Mere. To keep herself motivated and to fill in those lonely days, Mere began taking an interest in culinary skills. 

“When I was in school I was so focused on my studies that I never thought of any other hobbies or interests outside books. After I left school, I was at home most days. So, I slowly developed my interest in baking and cooking. After taking baking classes at ‘Bake For You’, people started ordering my cakes and cookies,” mentions the young Baker who now has also begun working on her own new recipes.

“Through baking, I am able to help myself financially and also help my family. I can afford myself small needs,” says Mere who has always wanted to support her family financially following her father's demise in 2008.

“My mother struggled a lot. We had so many financial problems, so many struggles,” narrates Mere.

Leaving school also meant putting on hold her academic dreams. Baking for Mere has been an empowering journey.
“Now that I have learned baking, I want to continue studying. I want to graduate and teach in a special school,” says Mere who expresses optimism that she will continue her studies through an open school and pursue her academic hopes.

Through baking, Mere hopes to be financially independent: to financially support herself and continue her studies too.

Due to her disability and lack of resources, Mere is mostly confined at home, and her connection outdoors is limited. Going to church, markets, and stores or outings are rarely possible, as she mentions that she get to go to town twice or thrice a year.

When she is not baking, Mere likes to fill her world with novels and poetry. “My favorite writer is Lang Leav. I usually exchange novels and books with my friends who bring books from the library,” mentions Mere.

She holds the view that Naga society is gradually emerging as a more accepting and inclusive society.

“I want to be seen not as a person with disability but as a person who is able and independent. Even with our disabilities, we can do anything in life,” asserts Mere.