SANKALP-IN AID OF DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLE CHILDREN

Dear Kind Hearts

Greetings from team SANKALP.

In our continuous efforts to improve the quality of services at SANKALP, we noted that many of our children who were given speech therapy last year did get the desired level of improvement. Discussion with outside experts revealed that unless the hearing impairment/loss is properly diagnosed, assessed and suitable and comprehensive remedial measures are taken, desired speech development cannot be achieved in hearing impaired children. We therefore, established a suitable audiometry unit at SANKALP for conducting the necessary audiometry tests in February with the help and finaincial support of one of our philanthropic partners “Tyrrell Leith Lodge no 43” of Vadodara. We also appointed a fulltime specialist who is qualified for conducting the required audiometry test and give training in speech therapy after carrying out proper assessment and ascertaining the actual need of each hearing impaired child. We were also able to find a donor for the necessary hearing aid to Sudhir who is 70% hearing impaired. After getting the hearing aids Sudhir is now able to hear and we are confident that he will be able to develop speech in the coming years. This unit is also providing hearing assessment of children from other similar institutions.

This being the last quarter of the session 2014-15, progress report for each child at SANKALP during the entire year is compiled to assess the progress made by children. We are happy to inform all our donors that as a result of getting properly planned & appropriate child specific program through carefully crafted methodology under professional guidance, all children have demonstrated progress in self-help, cognitive, communication, behavioral, gross motor skills and socialization in varying degree as per the observations made by special educators/therapists/parents. This is certainly empowering them towards leading significantly independent & a better quality life. The summary of progress is as follows:

Total Annual Progress Made      No of Children      Reason for low performance    

 Below 40% of target achieved               4             In all 4 cases of children achieving below 40% of the target it is

 Between 40%-50% of target achieved    6             severity of disability. In one case the child has reached his plateau

 Between 50%-60% of target achieved    3            & no further progress is possible & in another, due to aggravation of

Between 60%-70% of target achieved    8             his blood sugar he had to be hospitalized and was therefore absent

Between 70%-80% of target achieved   10             frequently.

Between 80%-90% of target achieved    4

Above 90% of target achieved               1

As a part of SANKALP’s curriculum of collaborating with other organizations as well as with the public through various events/awareness programs and also to provide an opportunity to the developmentally disabled children of Vadodara to demonstrate their capabilities,an“INTER SCHOOL DRAWING COMPETITION FOR DIFFERENTLY ABLED CHILDREN”was organized on Friday, 10^th April. The competition was held in two groups of up-to 15 years & above 15 years. Children of first group were given a pre-printed sheet for coloring while elder group were required to draw as per the theme given to them & then color. All the drawing material was provided by SAKALP.

Invitation was sent to 20 different schools of Vadodara against which a total of 114 children from 11 schools participated. Prizes consisting of Gold, Silver & bronze medals were awarded to the selected top three winners from each group. All participating children were also given participation certificate along with a gift hamper, snacks and cool Milk. While the results were being compiled by the judges, children were treated with a magic show. The team of SANKALP’s trustees/board members/staff & volunteers was assisted by 9 young volunteers from Elthia Foundation in supervising & managing the event arrangements. The entire event was sponsored by “Rotary Club Cosmopolitan, Baroda”.

Second parent meet of this session was conducted on 19^th April to discuss the yearly progress of each child with their parent, get their feedback and also to provide professional guidance through our experts to parents for their active participation in the rehabilitation process of their child. Guiding them about taking care of children at home, explain Do’s & Don’ts and also to get feedback from them on their child’s progress.

This meet also had a guest speaker Mr. Haresh Stuti whose two children are mentally challenged. Mr. Haresh not only shared his experience but also motivated the parents by narrating their journey and advised parents to consider themselves blessed as special parents who are considered capable to take care of such children by God and never sulk or curse their luck or give up but be pro-active in rehabilitation process of their child. The meet was very well appreciated by all parents who attended it.

Another achievement of this quarter is that a team of top officials of one of India’s leading Oil Public Sector Organization “ONGC” visited SANKALP and after realizing our commitment and the purpose of service, came forward to support SANKALP and donated a good sum.

The session closed for summer vacation and we will reopen on 9^th June for the new session.

Once again a BIG THANK YOU to each of our donor for your continued support to our project. We shall be giving YOU regular updates about the progress made by this project with the help of YOUR donation.

Before I submit the next report, may I request YOU to suggest me how WE can work together more closely as a proactive partner and attract wider participation on this project to bring smiles on the faces of mentally & physically challenged children and their families and make this world a better place to live for everyone. I shall be keen to receive your suggestions.

Gratefully yours

Links:

• Sankalp Vadodara