Support Abandoned Intellectually Disabled Children

We have around 35 youngsters above the age of 18, and those capable of working are involved at our vocational training center that also oversees the WIP program. Youngsters choose their areas of interest and perform duties at the office, the kitchen, in our gardens, with cattle rearing, etc. The program seeks to involve them in home activities while training them for gainful employment in the local community.

Weekly WIP feedback sessions have been introduced to create a space where our youngsters are free to share their experiences and challenges in the course of work. The sessions also help staff to plan their schedules and provide the necessary trainings. Reward mechanisms have been introduced to encourage both staff and students to better attain their goals. Savings Bank Accounts have been opened for all our youngsters and a monthly stipend is deposited in to their accounts since March 2019, which they are free to use as they please.

Working on campus offers them many opportunities for learning and growth, and our WIP program seeks to focus on three main areas of development: (1) personal – where they develop the knowledge and skills important to personal growth, such as expanding self-awareness, and organizational and communication skills; (2) professional – where they develop skills important to professional goals, such as establishing and understanding professional conduct, setting priorities, and more; and (3) social – where they gain the knowledge to navigate relationships and share skills while developing social competencies that enable inclusivity.

We are happy to share the wonderful news that Mukesh, our visually challenged teenager, has aced the 10th Standard SSLC Public Exam with 401 marks out of 500. Although completely blind, Mukesh is not one to wallow in self-pity. What he lacks physically, he more than makes up for in intelligence. Little did we know of his many abilities when he was rescued at Kilpauk in Chennai, years ago. Although starting an academic program much later than others his age, Mukesh showed tremendous progress in studies and we decided to enrol him in St. Louis School for the Blind, Adyar. Of keen wit and mind, Mukesh not only aced at studies but also at music that he learnt to play at this school, famous for its orchestra of blind students.

It is said that “many have sight but few have vision”. The complete opposite is true of Mukesh. Always an achiever – in fact stubbornly so, he never takes “no” for an answer and finds strength and means to accomplish goals he sets for himself. He wants to pursue higher education and we know that’s exactly what he’ll do! We are incredibly excited at his potential to lead a powerfully inspiring and purposeful life.

[The Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) is a certification obtained by a student on successfully completing the public exam at the end of the secondary schooling level in India. The SSLC is obtained on passing the grade 10 public examination, popular in Indian states, especially Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. The door to higher education is now open to Mukesh or he may choose to join trade courses of his choice. Should he pursue studies, he will enter Pre-University for two years after which he could enter a university for undergraduate studies.]

Links:

• Sri Arunodayam Website