Improve Lives of 90 Special Needs Boys in India

Vaikunt has been volunteering at the Government Home for the Mentally Challenged Boys for two and half years. Little did he know that his faith in a better tomorrow would be rekindled after his interaction with the boys at the home. He was surprised that the boys barely showed any signs of being “special”. They danced with so much joy and showed unconditional love to every volunteer. Greeting them with a smile, hug and a handshake. “Being my first time at the home, I was more curious than nervous the entire day before I gradually settled down. It was time to give the kids snacks and while 84 boys were drooling over the biscuits that were being served, there was one child who refused to eat. The staff and few volunteers said he never eats snacks and we should not force feed him. Apparently he ate only when he was hungry. At college, I had just learnt about observational learning as a part of my child psychology syllabus and being the curious guy that I am, I placed a few biscuits on a plate in front of the boy and left it there. As we all started to wave goodbye to our kids, I saw this boy slowly eating the biscuits that were placed in front of him. Thats when I knew that I was exactly where I wanted to be. I don’t remember the boy or his name. But he changed my life forever”.

The Institute for Mentally handicapped children (IMHC) currently houses 87 boys with special needs who have been abandoned by their families or lost and brought to the Institute. There are 17 severe and profoundly challenged boys who are cared for everyday by the assistant carers. They are taught -weekdays, months, numbers, colors, animals, vegetables, fruits, body parts and alphabets. The boys also watch animated movies once in a while. Play school boys are engaged by assistant carers who provide care and attention to them through out the day. The Special needs teachers are following a standard assessment procedure to complete assessment for the boys undergoing speech therapy. Two boys who are currently undergoing basic speech therapy have already shown interest and enthusiasm in interacting and communicating better.The physiotherapist has been working on intensive therapy for a few boys.The boys are more active due to the different activities they are engaged in every Sunday. Progress in terms of social interaction, behavior, and ability to follow instructions have greatly improved in the last few months. The boys are also learning to form friendships and bonds with the regular volunteers and the other boys in their group.

It is not always us changing the lives of the children we work with. More often than not, they are changing us too – making us better people, friends, caregivers and leaders. They give us hope for a better tomorrow and keep us motivated to achieve our dreams and most importantly, they teach us to believe that change is possible. Working with the boys in a State run Home is bound to be challenging. Everyday brings us new issues, experiences and situations. Thank you so much for supporting our work at the Institute and believing in the work we do for these amazing boys.