SANKALP-IN AID OF DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLE CHILDREN

Dear Kind Hearts,

Greetings from team Sankalp!

We trust that all of you, our supporters and well-wishers out there are Safe & Healthy in these extraordinary and unprecedented pandemic times around the world.

Situation of covid-19 still being critical here in India, the government has still not allowed educational institutions to reopen. We realized that a long hiatus from training is not good for these children and they urgently need to continue their education and therapy sessions for their development. We therefore, decided to start online education and training sessions with educators/therapists as well as children remaining in the safe environment of their respective homes. We also assessed that all children cannot be covered under online training sessions. Children were therefore, selected on the basis of their level of understanding and ability to learn through video calls.

Seven different groups have been formed for different levels for providing special education. Each group consists of 3 to 5 children. Two educators are conducting special education classes for these 7 groups. Thirteen children are getting tab based E-Education by two educators on one to one basis. Six children are being given physio and sensory integration therapy individually. Our therapist has prepared exercise videos and has sent them to the mother who has been told to help children do the recommended exercise under her guidance. Mother also makes a video of the child doing the exercise and sends it to the therapist. After seeing the videos in case she finds any mistake in the exercise process she guides parents to rectify it. Once a month some of the children also visit Sankalp for physiotherapy sessions. The educators and therapists are making video calls to these children and with the help of books as well as specially prepared ppt presentations and videos, children are being given education/training. They are noting the progress made by children based on the replies given by the child in their individual sheet rubrics which shall be compiled for making the annual progress card.

Remaining children are not found suitable for providing online education due to severity of their condition/disability.

Many parents did not have smart phones so initially they were unable to get the benefits of online sessions. Subsequently, we arranged to get smartphones donated to them and now they are also attending the online sessions.

Besides online education, we have also been donating ration kits consisting of 10 kg. of Wheat, 5 kg. Rice, 3 kg. Sugar, 500 gms Tea, 2 kg. Lentil and 5 liters of cooking oil to some of the very needy parents.

Due to continuous increase in the new cases of Corona virus in Vadodara and as per the government guidelines and present scenario Sankalp is not expected to open until end November this year. Decision to open shall be taken only after government lifts the lockdown for educational institutions and after reviewing the ground situation.

Meanwhile we have already installed a contactless sanitizer unit at the entrance of the building. We are also in the process of buying contactless temperature guns and other necessary items needed for ensuring safety and health of children as well as educators, therapists and other staff members when we reopens after the lockdown.

Until the next report a big THANK YOU for your support to our project. We will be updating YOU regularly & what impact YOUR donation is making in the lives of mentally/developmentally challenged children at Sankalp. We are also enclosing herewith few pictures for your perusal.

We pray for everyone’s safety and well-being. Please keep all the necessary precautions and stay safe and healthy.

Gratefully yours