Sandnya went for a picnic

On 4th of December students, staff and parents of Sandnya Sanwardhan Sanstha went for a picnic to Anandwan Warora which is 100 km from Nagpur. Normally, every year students of SSS go for picnic to different place then their parents. The idea of different venue is to give freedom to parents. But this time parents also wanted to visit Anandwan and see the rehabilitation work for Lepers, all of them went for the same place. This is also the maiden time when our students traveled the longest distance of 100 km from Nagpur. It was certainly a test for our mentally challenged & autistic students and of course the test was of staff as well. Our students traveled by our own buses while parents heired a bus. Picnic is a yearly event and our children enjoy it by being with nature.

By: Navin Deshpande, Secretary, SSS

Email: navindesh@gmail.com

website: www.sandnya.org

Helping hand from DAIMSR

On 29th October 2010 at 5:30 pm a Hindi "Hassya Kavi Sammellan" was organized at Vasantrao Deshpande Hall, Civil Lines, Nagpur. This was a fund raising event planned and totally organized by Dr.Ambedkar Institute of Management Studies and Research, Nagpur. This Institute is associated with SSS since last 6 years. They have been helping us in many different ways. The donation coupons were of the denomination of Rs.365/-, 500/- and 1000/-. These were sold by the faculties and students. During this same period, MBA students sold the "Diwali Diyas" worth Rs.36000/-. A good job done indeed. The profit generated through this sale will go to the students of this Rehab unit. SSS does not use this money. The initiative and idea of having this event was of course of Dr.Sujit Metre, Director of the Institute. Dr. Metre is the key person and a great motivator for all students. Needless to say he is the most popular teacher in the Institute. He is not only favorite of the students but is popular amongst the alumnae also. He not only helps SSS in such fund raising activity but also brings every batch of MBA students to Sandnya Srushti for awareness purpose. This practice continues for last 6 years with out break. I call him a great champion of the noble cause of mental disability and loving supporter of "differently able" children.

By: Navin Deshpande, Secretary, SSS

Website: www.sandnya.org

e-mail: navindesh@gmail.com

Fund raising event for us by our supporter

Dr.Ambedar Institute for Management Studies and Research, Nagpur organised a Hindi Hasya Kavi Sammelan on 29th Oct.'2010 at Dr.Vasantrao Deshpande Hall, Nagpur at 5:30 pm. There were 6 Kavi's of Hasya Rus from different parts of the country. This was the fund raising event organized to support SSS and one more NGO from Nagpur. This was the initiative by the Institute of Management it self. Dr. Metre, the Director of the Institute is the man behind such ideas. And of course this is not the first time that they are helping us. It is more than six years now, that this Institute is supporting us in all possible ways. The whole credit of course for this goes to Dr.Metre him self.

The programme was ideally organized of course with our consent. It started with formal introduction of guests and then two beneficiaries i.e. SSS and the other NGO was given time to brief the audience about our activity. I was given the privilege of talking first. My talk was followed by a "bhangada" dance by our students. Then the students haded over rs.36000/- in cash wich they raised by selling "Diwali Diyas" made by our rehab unit. Apart from this, the funds raised through ticket selling will be distributed to these two NGOs.

After half an hour of these initial items, the actual "Hasya Kavi Sammelan" Started at 6:30 pm and was concluded at 9:00pm. The Deshpande hall was full and people fully enjoyed the "Hasya Kavita".

SSS- Annual Programme

Sandnya Sanwardhan Sanstha celebrated its annual programme on 24th Oct.2010. The date of this annual programme is decided six months in advance. The preparation of this event begins with booking of the venue. Since last year we have shifted this venue from IMA hall to Platinum Jubilee hall of Blind Relief Society's on South Ambazari Road, Nagpur. This hall has more sitting capacity then IMA hall. Here we have 800 + capacity and if need be we can add additional 50-70 chairs. Second advantage is, it is on first floor and the staircase is also quite wide like 5'. Thus it becomes user friendly. There is lot of open space apart from enough parking lot. In the open space we could arrange the sales stall and coffee stall as well. Further, it has bigger green room and with toilet attached and additional makeup room for our boys as well. Last and not the least, it is located on south Ambazari Road which has relatively low traffic density.

As usual, programme started at 5:30 pm sharp. The chief Guest was Dr.Sujit Metre, Director, Dr.Ambedkar Institute of Management Studies and Research, Nagpur. The programme was presided over by Rev. Swami Raghvendranand from Ramkrishna Math, Indore, MP. Dr. Ambedkar Institute is supporting us in many ways since last six years.Dr. Metre was a faculty then and the man behind all initiatives related to our association.

This programme started with " Swagat Geet" by our students and staff. There were 5 items presented by our students of different category. There were about 800 people in the audience which included parents of our mentally challenged students and our donors and well-wishers. This programme was concluded in one hour and fifty minutes as per schedule.

iGive challenge 2010

Give India is a charitable portal dedicated to support the NGOs like Sandnya who are registered with them, to raise funds on line. It not only helps to raise funds but insists for a minimum standard in respect of transparency and conduct of the registered NGO is concerned. It ensures before registering that the NGO is following these minimum standard. In fact it thus takes guarantee on behalf of the NGO that the money donated reaches to the beneficiary for whom it is intended. There are various ways through which Give India helps raise funds. During this time every year there is iGive challenge. Under this scheme any individual can form a iGive page for any NGO of his choice and any amount he decides to raise through this page. Of course NGO themselves can also do this themselves. But the idea of a individual is to encourage people in large to give for the less fortunate people. When a individual person choose a cause or a NGO, there can be more than on person for the same NGO. Like my daughter Riddhi has her own iGive page and she is appealing to her friends and professional contacts. It is a simple logic that her contacts will respond more positively to her appeal rather than me or Sandnya. Further, in todays world the younger generation does have a desire to help. But unfortunately they do not have time to move physically. On line donations for these younger generation come handy. They are already used to on line banking and credit card or debit card usage.

This is a unique opportunity for young people to help the less fortunate by not moving from the chair. Go to this link directly and make small donation like Rs.250 or 500 and make difference in some ones life.

http://www.giveindia.org/give/pledgepage/navindeshpande

By:Navin Deshpande,Secretary,SSS

email:navindesh@gmail.com

website:www.sandnya.org

Gen Set sponsored for SSS

Three four days back I received a mail from Mr. Jeetendra Nayak, it said that he is happy to announce that a 5KW gen set with canopy will be donated by him to Sandnya. It so happened that last month Mr.Jeetendra had brought his uncle to Sandnya Srushti. Coincidently it was Wednesday and there was no power in our campus. It was a hot and humid day. Our mentally challenged students also get irritated because of the heat. Jeetendra and his uncle were also feeling stuffy and uncomfortable. He said Sandnya needs a gen set since you have no power on each Wednesday from 6am to 10 pm. It must be very uncomfortable for the students. Dr.Uttarwar said though we need one but it is not a priority. Mr.Jeetendra commented that, you may say so but I feel it is priority at least for people like me. At that point only he phoned one of his contacts and asked him to visit Sandnya Srushti and estimate the energy need. In couple of days it was done and he in next two days he along with a specialist electrical engineer took me to a place where gen set was working. I thought he must be trying to locate a sponsor for this, but now I have received a mail where he says it is sponsored by him. I have no idea how much this gen set should cost, but must not be less than Rs.1.5 lacks. Anyway, that is how we are going to get a gen set and problem of power on Wednesday will be solved. GOD is great!!

By:Navin Deshpande, Secretary, SSS

email:navindesh@gmail.com

website: www.sandnya.org

Lift is sponsored - a good news indeed!!

About ten days back I received a official quotation from M/s Johnson Lifts. This was for a lift which we had asked for, that is which will accommodate two wheel chairs at a time. The price quoted was Rs.11.00 lacks all inclusive. I simply did not go through the whole quotation because I knew we can not afford such a high cost. I thought it is out of question to ask donation for this. I immediately convinced myself that probably we do not need this lift for our mentally challenged children and that is why I am getting this exorbitant figure in quotation. With this thought I got settled mentally and conveyed this fact to my friend and our chairman Dr.Uttarwar. Both of us agreed that, God has decided against the lift requirement. This was in the first half of the day. Around noon, I received a telephone call from our Principal, Mr.Alok. He inquired, weather I got the quotation file and have I gone through it. I said, there is nothing to read more since I have gone through the cost page. He said, a gentleman from M/s Jonhsons had come here and was inquiring in detail about the requirement of lift, its size, our disabled students etc. Alok said, on asking him why he is so inquisitive, the gentleman replied that he has received a message from his owner that this lift is to be fully sponsored by the company. It is in this regard he has come to ascertain the facts about the NGO and its need.

I simply could not believe this. Thus phoned immediately to Mr.Jeetendra Nayak, the one who had initiated this matter. He said he is not sure about this total sponsorship but the owner at Chennai had promised to do the best. However, Jeetendra said that he will confirm the fact and shall revert back to me. That is what he did in less then ten minutes. Jeetendra told me that the owner of M/s Jonhsons has confirmed that they are really sponsoring the whole lift equipment free of cost and we only have to provide civil works and power supply. Thus the thing came from the horses mouth directly.

Is it not a great NEWS? I think, it is! by all means!! And is it not true as we always say at Sandnya, that there are more number of good people in this world than otherwise. We at Sandnya genuinely believe that it is a Divine work, and "HE" takes care of all our needs. How else can we explain that a man sitting at 1100 km at Chennai, whom we have never met, who has not seen our work should sponsor a lift which was quoted at Rs.11 lacks?

People may call it a miracle. But for us, right from day one, at Sandnya such so called miracles occur every now and than.

I personally feel that our need for lift was genuine and GOD has responded through Mr. john K John and the mediator is of course Mr. Jeetendra Nayak.

By: Navin Deshpande, Secretary, SSS

email: navindesh@gmail.com

website: www.sandnya.org

Dahi Handi - Krishna Janma

On 4th September at Sandnya Srushti campus we celebrated Dahi Handi programme.This was celebrated after teachers day programme. Dahi handi is a earthenware pot in which there is butter. It is said that Krishna was fond of butter, which he used to steel from his own house with out the knowledge of his mother Yashoda ma. This dahi handi is hanged at a hight from the ground where it is not possible to reach with out making a human pyramid. There every time the group makes a attempt and fails, there is a loud laughter amongst the watchers who enjoy this so called Krishna lila. In our school also we celebrate this dahi handi. It is not only fun but it gives good opportunity to our mentally challenged children to get socialized and a chance to make a attempt physically also. This opportunity they can never get in their locality or neighborhood. After starting this event in our open ground, it started raining heavily. We all were forced to get in to the building. But our children got opportunity to get wet in to the rain water, this opportunity is also not available to them like their normal peers.
By: Navin Deshpande, Secretary,SSS

email:navindesh@gmail.com

website:www.sandnya.org

Teachers Day at SSS

On 4th of September we celebrated teachers day at Sandnya Srushti. There were about 25 parents present for this programe. In case of us at Sandnya it is a typical case. Our students are mentally challenged and autistic. They do not understand the concepts like teachers day. So there is no question of them being participating actually. The agenda of the event was, few parents talked and showed there gratitude towards our staff in total. One of them said that, teachers in this case are really 'GURU'. Because they try there best to teach the mentally challenged child irrespective of the fact that how many attempts or how much time it takes for the child to accomplish the task or targeted goal, and this is true also. It is not only teachers but our all staff strive hard to see that the student does get opportunity to learn. What is teaching? It is in fact the knowledge that the teacher imparts to the student. But in case of mentally challenged, in many instances, our student by his response shows the way of approach to his teacher. In case of mentally challenged, it is less of teaching and more of training as a matter of fact. Since in mental disability the cognitive factor is affected and thus it becomes almost impossible for the person to make decision.

Parents gave small gifts to all staff members as token of appreciation for the services rendered to their ward. These small gifts were given with the hands of students. They did not of course understand the meaning behind it, but by clapping they showed their happiness. When parents talk, the whole atmosphere becomes emotional. There are few volunteers and well wishers also attending this programme which was for about an hour.

By: Navin Deshpande, Secretary, SSS

email; navindesh@gmail.com

website: www.sandnya.org

New way of raising funds

It is now more than 17 years that we have been running Sandnya Sanwardhan Sanstha with out financial aid from government. I vividly recall that our first month budget in 1993 was just Rs.3200. And now our monthly expense is more than Rs.2.5 lacks. Apart from this, we have a infrastructure were we must have invested not less than Rs.50-60 lacks. What is the source of funds? Most of the people do not believe that the only funding source for us is donations from philanthropic people and organizations. In spite of the fact that our only funding source is donation, we were never late by even one day in our payment schedule to our employees and any other deters as well. We have always and firmly believed that there are more number of good people in this world than otherwise. We have always felt from the bottom of our heart that, Sandnya Sanwardhan Sanstha's work is the divine work and we are only the means to serve the cause. GOD has always given us wisdom to carry this work in right direction and that is what really matters. With GOD blessed wisdom we carry our responsibility and the rest is left to the divine power.

As far as funds are concerned, we have monthly small amount donors. They have volunteered a small amount as per their wish. Our man goes every month to this donor and collects this small amount which is from rupees 20 to 12000 per month. It is amazing to see that people donate this amount with remarkable consistency month after month and year after year. This monthly committed donation amount is about 35% of our monthly expense. The remaining amount comes as a ad hoc donation which is difficult to anticipate. But surprisingly this non anticipated amount also comes regularly and it has never failed us in the past. And we are sure with the divine power in absolute command it will come in future also.

In spite of all this divine intervention, one has to put his efforts also. We at Sandnya Sanwardhan Sanstha, are appealing to people to donate news paper scrap to us. Our man is collecting this news paper scrap from the house of the donor. This scrap donation of news paper is used for paper bags in our rehab unit and the remaining is sold to generate funds. As it is, disposing off of news parer scrap is a headache to most of the families. So in a way, we are helping them to keep clean of this wast material otherwise. So the families do not mind donating this scrap to us, we in turn get small amount by selling this scrap to recycle chain. Though this scrap sale amount for each family is pretty small, but when the donor number is large enough than the amount is also quite sizable.

We have one more dimension to this novel fund raising scheme. This gives us opportunity to contact additional people in the society. While we reach them we have to explain to them the whole purpose and the cause for which we are working. It does gives us a golden opportunity to make people aware about mentally challenged and their problems.In this process we not only create awareness but we are likely to get customer for our products produced in our rehab units. Thus this shall help us in rehabilitation process also. We at Sandnya Sanwardhan Sanstha always believed that rehabilitation of mentally challenged and autistics is not possible with out active support from all sections of the society.

We therefore request every one who is in Nagpur to donate the News paper scrap to us. You can phone on one of these numbers and our man volunteer will come and collect from your house. Contact No.Mrs.Joshi- 9766788932, Mr. Ingole- 0712-2236043, Dr.Uttarwar-9822932031, Mr.Badkas-9890585005.

By: Navin Deshpande, Secretary, SSS

email: navindesh@gmail.com

website: www.sandnya.org

Star Circlip job

On 26th of August factory manager of Star Circlip called me to their office. Mr. manager praised our students for their disciplined work. He told me that they have some problem with factory inspector. He told me that factory inspector is harassing for having these children in factory with out proper registration under ESIS etc. These children were still on trial. They were in fact working for only 5 hours a day. Their production was also much below par. In fact, we together thought that it will take at least 6 months for the children to get settled. It is unfortunate that government officials are not only corrupt but are most apathetic in this regard. It is no surprise for us that the factory inspector has not co operated in this instance.

During this same meeting, factory manager offered, that this same work can be done from our premises i.e. in Sandnya Srushti campus. Thus our children could work only for 22 working days in this new atmosphere. We have already started working on the same job from our campus. This is a sort of small setback considering opportunity in open employment for mentally challenged. We at Sandnya know very well that the rehabilitation of mentally challenged is a very difficult job. The limitation is not from our mentally challenged children but it is the attitude of the different constituents of our society.

By: Navin Deshpande,Secretary, SSS

email:navindesh@gmail.com

website: www.sandnya.org

Teacher's orientation

Right from its inception at SSS we always believed in scientific approach. We do not go for quackery. And thus, it is our endeavor to keep our staff updated with the latest techniques and findings in dealing with mentally challenged and children with autism. Whenever opportunity comes we send our staff to NIMH for refresher courses and seminars. In other times we try to bring different faculties to our campus.

On 21st August 2010, a training session for our teachers was arranged at our Sandnya Srushti campus. The topic for the training was AAC [Alternative Augmented Communication] for children with autism. Faculty was Mrs. Richa Deshmukh from Ohio State University, US. She is a researcher in non verbal communication technic in children with autism. She dealt with the subject for almost for 5 hours. Teachers were given guidance on case to case basis. This training is in concurrence with the training parents had on 20th August. In this session Richa guided teachers how to use PEC [ picture exchange communication technic] for children with autism. Richa has brought two musical sensors also, which can be used for giving toilet training to mentally challenged and children with autism. This will be for the first time we will be trying this sensor device for toilet training.

In fact there is no sure way to handle or manage mentally challenged or autistics. Every such child behaves differently at different times with the same stimulus or similar stimulus. It is near to impossible to anticipate the reaction to the changing environment around the mentally challenged or autistic. Experts say, it is the lack of cognition in these persons which makes all the difference. And since the cognition center in the brain is damaged or under developed, nothing can be really done. I feel, if such person can not be helped to change, it becomes our moral responsibility to restructure the surrounding environment where they are comfortable and can contribute in the activities of our so called normal society.

By: Navin Deshpande, Secreatry, SSS

email; navindesh@gmail.com

website: www.sandnya.org

Rakhi Unit

The festival of rakhi was on 24th August 2010. Our Rakhi unit has 5 girl participants. They make rakhi through out the year. In three weeks time prior to Rakhi, these are being sold through sales stalls in different schools. Normally these schools are CBSE schools. Management of these schools are quite dynamic and try involving their students in different social activities. These rakhi stalls is one of these social activities. Teachers of these schools encourage students to bye these rakhis since this helps in the rehabilitation of mentally challenged children.

This rakhi rehab unit of ours is a financially independent unit. They have their own bank account and it is in the name of those parents. The whole transaction is being done through this account only and naturally the profit earned through this goes to the girl students of this unit. Sandnya Sanwardhan Sanstha does not take any thing from this unit. In fact, we provide the infrastructure and manpower also in making rakhis. There are good number of volunteers involved in the activity of packing these rakhis and sales stalls are also managed by these volunteers. In this group of volunteers there are mothers of our students also. Right from the inception we firmly believe that the rehabilitation of mentally challenged is not possible unless society at large supports this cause. I am happy that we get really good support from all sections of the society. We take this opportunity through this blog to thank one and all who have helped us in this noble cause directly or indirectly.

This year we have sold rakhis worth one lack of rupees through 19 schools and through other stalls also.

By: Navin Deshpande, Secretary, SSS

email:navindesh@gmail.com

website:www.sandnya.org

Shree S B Misra`s visit

On 20th of August 2010, there was a phone call at 7.00 am from Mr.SB Misra. I off course had gone for swimming. I promptly called back, and Misraji said that he is visiting Sandnya Srushti campus as per my advise at 10.00 am along with three of his directors. Mr SB Misra is the MD of Minex Metallurgical co. They have three factories in Nagpur MIDC and they have a turnover of more than 250 crores, as I was told. Minex is our corporate donor since more than ten years now. Not only that, there employees are also our donors. Misraji had previously visited Sandnya Srushti, but that way back and we had just shifted to this new campus. Thus, when this time he entered in the campus, his first reaction was, " Mr. Deshpande, it is a ashram and nothing less". It is indeed a compliment to us. Misraji and his colleagues arrived at dot 10.00 am. and was there through prayer and than in the class rooms. They were with us for about two hours and needless to say that, all of them were throughly impressed not only with the infrastructure and cleanliness & tidiness but was aghast to understand the gravity of the problem of mentally challenged and there families. Misraji repeatedly said that, he never thought that working for mentally disabled is so challenging and complex as well. He accepted that, whatever way he is supporting SSS is not certainly enough and he promised to do lot more in near future.

Misraji is a through human being and is humble as ever.

By: Navin Deshpande, Secretary, SSS

email: navindesh@gmail.com

wesite: www.sandnya.org

Workshop on speech for children with autism

On 20 th August 2010 we had a two hour training session for the parents of children with autism. This was held at Nagpur office and was meant only for twelve parents. The faculty was Mrs.Richa Deshmukh from Ohio state University, US. She in fact came here on her vacation trip. And rendered voluntary service. She talked on AAC[ Alternative Augmentative Communication] skills. She stressed the use of PECS[ picture exchange communication system]. After discussing this Technic thoroughly, case specific discussions were held. Many of the older parents, confirmed that since last workshop, which was held about two years back, there is lot of improvement in their children.

By:Navin Deshpande,Secretary,SSS

email: navindesh@gmail.com

website:www.sandnya.org

Parent Workshop on speech

On 19th of August 2010 we had a parent workshop on speech problems in general for mentally challenged and those with autism. The faculty was Mrs.Richa Deshmukh from Columbus,USA. She is my elder daughter and doing her research in non verbal communication in persons with autism. This workshop was held in our Sandnya Srushti campus at 2.00 pm. There were about 22 parents of our students. Richa was discussing the point that, we should not get bogged down at the point were the child has no speech. She was trying to draw attention of parents towards the fact that, if our child can communicate with a alternative method or means we should be happy. Since the purpose of speech is communication, and if the child is using a sign or gesture or facial expression than we must help him/ her to improve upon this mode, she said.She said organizing speech is a tough job for mentally challenged and child with autism, which we people do not realize since it comes naturally to us. She was further insisting upon giving opportunity to these children where in they are compelled to use one or the other mode of communication. They will never try if there is no need of communication because the child is getting every thing before he is supposed to ask.

By: Navin Deshpande, Secretary, SSS

email:navindesh@gmail.com

A genuine supporter of the cause

It was a weak before independence day, that Bapu told me that his friend Mr.Nayak is coming to Sandnya Srushti along with his nephew Mr. Jeetendra Nayak who is a businessman in Nagpur. On due date they did come.I found them quite sensitive to our cause of mental disability. In fact during our two hour meeting, I realized that Mr.Jeetendra is quite resourceful. He promised me that he will help us in all possible ways. It was Wednesday, power shut down for the whole day. He said, I think you need generator urgently. As I said, yes we need it but it is not a priority. He commented that, it is priority for me since I am likely to here very often and would not like to sit here without fan. I thought it was in a lighter sense. But while parting he said, I shall send some expert to asses your power requirement for a generator and they left the campus.

Very next day, a expert person in the field of power generation visited our campus and duly assesd our power need and reported back to Jeetendra. Today, Jeetendra again visited our Sandnya Srushti campus along with one of his friends Mr. Kamath who is chartered account by profession and a Rotarian. Mr. Kamath promised to look in to our requirement of a special bus with wheel chairs. He said he will promote this through Rotary Club.

Mr.Jeetendra, told me that he is already working on arranging a generator and he will get me one soon. He had called a marketing man from Johnson Elevators and told him about the requirement of a elevator. These people were with me for about two hours. Mr.Jeetendra told me that he will find a sponsor for elevator also. I took them around the new construction site as well. To me Mr.Jeetendra seems to be a genuine supporter of the cause of mentally challenged. He is throughly impressed with our work and work culture as well. Let us see what happens next.

By: Navin Deshpande,Secretary, SSS

e-mail:navindesh@gmail.com

website: www.sandnya.org

15th August 2010

Independence Day is always a day of lot of enthusiasm for our students and staff as well. In fact our mentally challenged children like celebrations of all kind weather it is religious, national, social or cultural events all of them enjoy it immensely. Some might express it and some may not. This time there were good number of well wishers of SSS for this programme. The flag hosting was done at 10.30 am by the chief guest Mr.Waghale, a retired professor of chemistry from Shree Shivaji Science college, Nagpur. He was my teacher and was a ideal teacher too. He was a master in the Art of teaching. He always loved his students and worked for there welfare. He was a strict discipliner but was considerate for genuine problems of his students. Though he is polio affected, he was a very good Table Tennis player. And I had a privilege of playing with him for three years in the college. In fact Waghale sir is a perfect human being and that prompted us to call him as a guest. He matched our guest qualification in totality. He himself being physically handicapped, realizes the gravity of our work in genaral and problem of mentally challenged in particular.

The other guest was Mr Rambhau Khandekar, a retired bureaucrat but again a good human being. He was PA to late Prim Minister Narsimha Rao.

By: Navin Deshpande, Secretary, SSS

email: navindesh@gmail.com

website: www.sandnya.org

Professionals for mentally challenged

It is now more than 19 years we have been working for mentally challenged and autistics but there is dearth of qualified workers ever since. Weather we ask for physiotherapist, occupational therapist, speech therapist, clinical psychologist or special educators, we do not find them. This is more true for a place like Nagpur. When we started working in the year 1993 that time also there was shortage and there were only 3-4 NGO's working. Today there are more than 25 special schools in and around Nagpur and you still do not get these professionals.

Since 1993 i.e. since inception of Sandnya Sanwardhan Sanstha in almost all parent meetings and siblings training programmes I have been appealing to parents that, they should motivate sibling of their mentally challenged child to take these professional courses. A sibling when comes as a professional in this field it will not only improve the quality of service but will eliminate exploitation also. I am not asking them for free services but as paid professionals. They can make a reasonably good career in this field of mental disability. In last 17 years I have not seen a single case where sibling of mentally challenged has become a professional in the field related to mental disability. Like all others, every one wants to become engineer or doctor or chartered accountant. Parents have failed grossly in motivating the siblings and at the same time, they expect other people and government to take care of their mentally challenged ward. I have not understood, what prevents parents from motivating siblings? is it that they have tried and failed? or they themselves do not want there normal wards to come in this field? or is it money which prevails over all other logical thinking? As I said, I have been talking on this subject since 17 years and not a single parent has ever come to me and discussed this issue. What bothers them, I do not understand.

By: Navin Deshpande, Secretary, SSS

email: navindesh@gmail.com

website: www.sandnya.org

admission for mentally challenged

Yesterday, a young lady came to our Sandnya Srushti campus with her mentally challenged elder brother along with her father's friend. She is in US after her marriage and has come to Nagpur on vacation. Her brother is a Down's case and is not going to any special school since last more than 6-8 years. She came for his admission in our special school. Her father is a patient of hypertension and diabetes and is not keeping well. Mother is also asthmatic and can not look after the mentally challenged son. The young lady was very emotional and was desperate to support her parents and disabled brother. She was here to explore the possibility of her brother getting admission in our school. She was extremely disappointed to find that we can not give admission due to long waiting list. Though she knew this fact through her father who had come to me along with one of my close friends Mr. Sudhir Kate, but "hope" is one thing which keeps you truing and that is what she did. I could sense her anxiety and desperation and I was feeling myself very bad that I was not in a position to help the young lady. The ever growing waiting list for admission in our special school is a matter of great concern for us. But what can we do? We have limitations of space, manpower and finances too. There are at least two fresh cases for assessment every week.

By: Navin Deshpande, Secretary, SSS

email: navindesh@gmail.com

website: www.sandnya.org

Open employment for mentally challenged

It is one week or six days since our three students are going on job in M/s Star Circlip Engineering Co. in Butibori. I am getting feed back from our accompanying staff every day. Our boys are doing a good job. They are improving there performance day by day. They are getting adjusted to the new environment gradually. They are doing good in there out put also. In fact nobody was expecting them to get adjusted so soon.

By: Navin Deshpande, Secretary, SSS

email: navindesh@gmail.com

website: www.sandnya.org

A historic day for Sandnya

Our three students in M/s Star Circlip & Engineering Com.

It was a historic day for Sandnya Sanwardhan Sanstha. And the day is Monday,the 26th July 2010. Yes, yesterday was really a special day for us. Three of our vocational training students went to M/s Star Circlip, Butibori on job. They were under training for last about three months. On Monday, they worked in the factory for full time i.e. from 10.15 am to 4.00 pm. Our bus dropped them in the morning before coming to school and then collected them at 4 pm came back to our campus, took all other students and then left for Nagpur. One of our assistant teacher was also there through out. This lady assistant teacher will continue to go for at least one or two months. She will be withdrawn gradually.

The first day was very smooth and went with out any problem. All three, worked properly as trained. Had reasonably good out put, which will go up gradually. To our satisfaction, these students adjusted themselves to this new environment very well and did not show in resentment. A very encouraging fact. Once they achieve the minimum level of out put they will be given wages as per the norm of the factory. I am eagerly awaiting that day when they will get there first payment in the factory. I have been visualizing this day since last seventeen years that is the day we started working for this noble cause of mental disability.

M/s Star Circlip management has promised to give work to at least five more. We are in the process of training additional students.

By: Navin Deshpande, Secretary,SSS

email: navindesh@gmail.com

web site: www.sandnya.org

Parent Meeting-July'10

Parents in the meeting.

One of the important component while working with mentally challenged is parent involvement. To encourage and motivate parents we need to have frequent interactions with parents and amongst parents also. And one of the means is parent meeting. We at Sandnya have always accorded importance to parent meetings. It takes lot of effort and and persuasion on the part of school management to ensure good parent attendance for these parent meetings. It is because of these consistent efforts that normally we have reasonably good number in these meetings. We did have the first parent meeting of this year on 24th July'10. This meeting was held in Madhav Nagar community hall which we get for a nominal charge. The number of parent was at 45, but considering both parents attending and or with other close relatives, this number was 90 in total. I feel this is a reasonably good number. The agenda of the meeting included, introduction of new parents and they were 5. This meeting was fully conducted by our Principal, Mr.Alok Dwivedi and considering his age and experience he did fairly well. Of course he has to improve a lot, but the good thing is he is improving and trying to learn also. I am sure in couple of years he will have a good hold over these meetings. The second point on the agenda was general instruction for parents which of course was from Principal. After this two parents were given chance to speak on any point they wished to convey. One of them was Mr. Kubawala, his two sons are mentally challenged and are in our school. Kubawalas is the courageous couple and manage there sons with lot of love, affection and involvement in them. He talked about how they manage two sons. Though he could not speak much , it being his first time to speak, but I am sure his talk though short will help motivating few other parents.

The other parent was Mr.Shrivastav, his 12 year old daughter is mentally challenged and autistic. He talked about parents helping school management in various initiatives. He also referred about parents moving there residences in Butibori near the school campus. He said this can be done in small group and in a phased manner.

After this I was asked to talk on recent activities of our organization. I did mention about open employment of three of our students in the company called Star Circlip based at Butibori. I also informed about the Agarbatti re packing unit which we have started about three months back. I said the success of this re packing unit will depend on our selling capacity and I appealed parents to share this responsibility. Though some of the parents are already supporting but many have not yet started on this. I know it will take some time to catch up the momentum.

Mr. Alok then briefed the parents on the summer camp we held for our selected students in the month of May,10 and he did this through power point presentation. This is a new initiative we took this time for the parent meeting. Firstly, being audio visual, interest of parents in the meeting was good and secondly, we could show them the activities of summer camp and the effort level and involvement of our staff and management. Alok did this fairly well. In the last, our Chairman, Dr.RM Uttarwar spoke for five minutes. The meeting was called of with coffee break.

By: Navin Deshpande, Secretary, SSS

email: navindesh@gmail.com

website: www.sandnya.org

Soham Bobhate--- a rare case

We have a student called Soham Bobhate. He must be about eight years. Unfortunately Soham has a rare disease. It is termed as Lennox - Gastaut Syndrome [LGS]. It is difficult to treat form of childhood-onset epilepsy that most often appears between the second and sixth year of life, and is characterized by frequent seizures and different seizure types; it is often accompanied by mental retardation, psychological and behavioral problems.

Daily multiple seizures are typical in LGS. It is said that most of these seizures are nonconvulsive type, which is characterized by dizziness, apathy and unresponsiveness. The seizures can cause sudden falling and/ or loss of balance. The tonic type of seizures will mostly occur during night and in sleep.

In addition to daily multiple seizures of various types, children with LGS frequently have arrested or slowed psychomotor development and behavioral disorders.

Because of this LGS it is very difficult to manage Soham. Our teachers and co workers often feel that Soham does things or does not do a thing as per his mood and wish. But having gone through the medical information related to LGS, now I understand the case much better. How can we plan his syllabus? What should we do with him? Basically he is mentally challenged and thus morally we are bound to give him services. The incidence of LGS is low, as far as we are concerned, it is the first case. We were requesting his physician to reduce the dose of epileptic medication so that his drowsiness can be reduced. But now I understand, weather we reduce the medication or not, his nonconvulsive seizures will keep him drowsy and he will continue to even fall down and lose body balance anytime. We can not help that. Now I am thinking, what would be the ideal plan of action for Soham? let me give myself some time to think and than come back to the problem.

By: Navin Deshpande, Secretary, SSS

email: navindesh@gmail.com

website: www.sandnya.org

School building constructon

We had to change the building contractor second time. After terminating services of Mr.Ubale, the first contractor, we had designated another one. Unfortunately, the second one also was of the same type of Mr.Ubale. Our architect appointed a third contractor through Mr.Dongarwar, a structural engineer and one who has agreed to supervise the work in absence of our architect. We had a thorough discussion with Mr.Dongarwar regarding quality of work, time schedule and charges as well. Mr.Dongarwar promised on behalf of the contractor that work will be at reasonably good pace and there shall be no scope for complaint regarding quality as well. It is about one week that this new man has started work and the pace looks o. k. Let us see if he maintains the same pace.

I am finding it difficult to accommodate the classes, since this building work is delayed. In fact the planning was to finish at least two class rooms before this new session was to begin. But unfortunately, Mr.Ubale did not realize the importance of this cause of mentally challenged and there management. We took due care of briefing Mr.Ubale regarding the significance of completing the job in due time. But probably the fault lies in our national work culture. We have no regard for time and quality.

By: Navin Deshpande,Secretary, SSS

email: navindesh@gmail.com

website; www.sandnya.org