NMC and special children

Today there is a big news item in the news paper. This says that Nagpur Mayer is happy to announce that they have a special and additional budget for integrated education in NMC schools. She said they are going to appoint 30 special teachers for physically challenged and mentally challenged children in lower age group. The news further states that, this will help 400 special children, and in many mentally challenged you need to give one to one service. This news item has come from NMC official, the daily says. See on one side NMC says they need to give one to one service and in the same breath they say 30 sp.teachers will provide services to 400. I do not know who told NMC that physically challenged needs a special educator. The condition of normal education in NMC schools is known to every one. They can not even appoint required teachers for these normal children and on top of it they talk about special children. I am sure even 10% NMC officials and corporaters do not know the abc of mentally challenged. And see the daring of the official who talks about the early intervention of mentally challenged. I have been under taking awareness meetings since last more than 17 years, and my observation about the awareness in respect of mental disability is very low in general. It is more abysmal in case of government servants. Who will tell our dear NMC Mayer that there is acute shortage of special educators through out the country. Let us not talk about the quality of special educators. In many cases the special educator even does not know the subjects in which he is being examined. For me it was sort of a joke when I read the news in this regard. But than i understand the compulsion the NMC has, it is probably all related to getting funds unless such compulsory schemes are being implemented may be on paper only.Of course all us we know how political system and government functions and what priorities they have. Thus I do not take this news very seriously though I am associated with the subject and services to mentally challenged since last 17 years.
By: Navin Deshpande, Secretary, SSS
www.sandnya.org
email: navindesh@gmail.com

Parent Meetings- A effective tool

In the rational development of mentally challenged children there are many factors which play important role. One of these important factors is positive contribution of parents. Sandnya Sanwardhan Sanstha accords utmost importance to parents and their contribution in the development of mentally challenged. We have conducting parent meetings of our students regularly and consistently. Ensuring a good attendance for the parent meeting is tough task. Simply sending a notice for the parent meeting does not ensure fairly good number of parents attending the meeting.I have been observing, that single notice of meeting does not serve the purpose. I many times fail to understand the parent psychology. On 27th of March 2010 we held a parent meeting. This was the last meeting of the current academic session. The first circular was sent about 12 days in advance. The reminder was sent about 4-5 days before the scheduled date. And then our social worker telephoned most of the parents reminding about the meeting. This whole procedure resulted in 72 parents attending the meeting which included both mother and father also. Not only the record number attended but most of them came in time, that is more important. Anticipating a good gathering we had booked a community hall for the meeting and it was perfectly justified.
Meeting went smooth as per the agenda. In the beginning Mr. Badkas went through the routine instructions like, schedule of distribution of progress reports, vacation schedule, readmission, discipline to be followed by parents in respect of cleanliness, dress code , time punctuality, eating habits of children etc. In the second part secretary, Navin Deshpande talked about new agarbatti rehab unit and parents contribution in making the unit successful. He also elaborated the importance of sibling or close relatives of our mentally challenged students taking up career in the field related to this problem of disability. He stressed that if these people go for the faculties like clinical psychology, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech therapy etc. it will not only help their immediate sibling but his first hand realization will be of immense help to other parents approaching for professional advice in respect of their mentally challenged ward. Secretary further congratulated parents for maintaining fairly good discipline through the current academic session.
Chairman, Dr.RM Uttarwar appealed to all parents to take initiative in taking over the rehab units so that we can clear the waiting list which has already crossed the 50 number mark.
In the open session, one of the parents suggested that we should have a mini snack provision for our children before they board the bus at 4.30 pm. Because it is quite late that by the time children reach home they are quite hungry. Parents volunteered to contribute the expense incurred for this purpose.This proposal was accepted by the management.
Principal of SSS thanked the gathering for their co operation and the meeting was called of at 4.30 pm.
By: Navin Deshpande, Secretary, SSS
web site: http://www.sandnya.org/ email: navindesh@gmail.com

Lack of proffesionals for mentally challenged

The other day one of the parents of our mentally challenged students was talking to me. He said, renewal of disability certificate is such a tiring job. It is not only difficult because we have to carry our mentally challenged child to the Civil Surgeon office and wait for long hours but there is lot of corruption also.In first place, in my opinion it is ridiculous to renew a certificate for mentally challenged since the condition is irreversible. Does government authority who is a doctor, expect that with the passage of time the condition of the child will be corrected and he may not remain mentally challenged any more, and thus needs confirmation from the Civil Surgeon. But the way government works or does not work is like this only. Talking about corruption in this regard, I feel, corrupt official does not differentiate or discriminate in mentally challenged and normal person i.e. they are impartial, a quality we must appreciate.
It is more than seventeen years that through our parent meetings, I have been appealing to parents, that, we all must encourage and motivate siblings of mentally challenged to take up a career which supports the cause of mentally challenged. For example faculties like special education, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy or clinical psychology etc. Can they not make career in this field? Do we not need these specialists otherwise also? But it continues to surprise me that not a single sibling has yet gone in this field. If a sibling is a clinical psychologist for example, then, he is of help not only to his own sibling and parents but at the same time, since it is expected that he has realisation about the genuine problems of such families, he will be of immense use to other mentally challenged and their parents and families too. But this has not happened. I do not know, weather we have failed as a Institute to motivate siblings, in spite of the fact that we do have regular siblings training programmes or the failure is with the attitude of parents themselves. Who ever may have failed, the fact remains that we do not get professionals from these families. And we continue to criticise the remaining world for their attitude towards mentally challenged and their problems.

Navin Deshpande, Secretary, SSS

Website: www.sandnya.org email; navindesh@gmail.com

Assesment of mentally challenged at Kurkheda

SSS staff during assesment work.

Our team in the hearbal garden.

Chairmen of SSS counselling the parent.

Principal of SSS making final remarks.

As was planned, the team of 25 Sandnya Sanwardhan Sanstha staff along with Chairman, Secretary and trustee reached Kurkheda, [which is 160 km from Nagpur] at dot 10.15 am. Amhi Amchya Arogya Sathi is the NGO for whom we went to Kurkheda. The arrangement was OK . Dr. Gogulwar was not present since he had some urgent meeting at Nagpur. Mrs. Shubhada Gogulwar was present for the brief time and left for Gadchiroli to attend the date with Charity Commissioner. But their workers and volunteers did the job well. We made four teems and assessed 13 mentally challenged children. We had counselling sessions with the parents also in most of the cases. In one or two cases in stead of parents grand parents had come. These cases were from the surrounding area of about 8-9 km from Kurkheda. Most of the parents were absolutely ignorant about how to handle a mentally challenged child. In about 5 cases this mentally disabled child was amongst 4 siblings. In spite of ignorance, all parents agreed readily that, if a special school weather residential or day care is opened in Kurkheda they will send their ward in this school. All concerned families were below poverty line and are working in agriculture farms. We were told by the organizers that they had contacted 28 families in person but only 13 had turned up.

We felt that there is a need of residential special school at Kurkheda and for adults a aggro based rehabilitation centre should also be started. We have recommended this to the organisers.

I was satisfied with the staff performance. Though, we could have very well managed with lesser no. of staff members. All staff members were enthusiastic and had a good exposure and a different experience. The difference could be felt right from approach of the parents to the terminology used in general. In few cases our staff was short of alternative words and the interpreter helped by intervening.

By: Navin Deshpande, Secretary,

Sandnya Sanwardhan Sanstha

Website: http://www.sandnya.org/ email: navindesh@gmail.com

Regular Medicl check up of mentally challenged at SSS

General medical check up of our mentally challenged students is done on monthly basis. This is pro active action. It is in a way preventive mesuure. Since mentally disabled children have poor personal hygein, it becomes very much essential to take a preventive step like checking for any signs for infection. A child

Mr. Dharmendra from Credibility Alliance

In screen Printing Unit.

In Pre- Primary Class.

For prayer with students.

As was planned Mr.Dharmendra from Credibility Alliance reached to Nagpur on 12th morning. Though he came from Mumbai, he is working for Blind People's Association, Ahmadabad, Gujrat. Mr.Dharmendra is a energetic young man of 35. On first day we reached our campus at Butibori at 10.00 am before prayer time. It is from this point Mr.Dharmendra started auditing and assessing our activity.He is a keen observer and has got good perception. Since he is in charge of a 100 beaded hospital and he is MBA, can notice things at fast pace and conclude things very correctly. He went through all our activities in the campus. He noticed the barrier free campus and was pleased to see the cleanliness and tidiness in the entire campus. He went in to each class room and talked with the staff and enquired in his own way. I of course did not accompany him and was free to ask any question to the staff members. He appreciated that all class rooms and other rooms had there doors open. He thought that in case of disability field to avoid exploitation, it is necessary to have access to the entire building free. He was also impressed with the number of employees[39] for 80 mentally challenged children.

By: Navin Deshpande, secretary, SSS.

web:http://www.sandnya.org/

email: navindesh@gmail.com

Audit of your work or effort

We, means Sandnya Sanwardhan Sanstha is working in the field of mental disability since 1993. Every organization has its own philosophy on which it works and proceeds. Though organization is a legal entity, it can not be conclusively said that this legal entity has really philosophy of its own. The legal entity really means a group of people to which this legal entity represents. Thus the philosophy is not of the organization but of the people to whom this legal entity represents. Therefore, the philosophy is of these people. Thus when we say that XYZ NGO is good, it really means that the people behind it are good and are with integrity.
Since inception, at Sandnya Sanwardhan Sanstha, we believed in self scrutiny and self analysis. We do not wait for other people to see or correct our mistakes. In fact, we think twice before taking any decision. We always try to be right legally, morally and ethically. Our conduct is always in the interest of the ultimate beneficiary i.e. mentally challenged and there families. All trustee members are the true trustees of Sandnya Sanwardhan Sanstha and has no wasted interest in the activities of this organization. The whole affair of ours is absolutely transparent and we leave nothing for ambiguity.
Thus when Credibility Alliance offered to audit our whole work and certify to that effect, we are more than willing to go for it. The auditor of Credibility Alliance will be here at Nagpur for two days i.e. 12th and 13th of March 2010. Till date, our activity is being audited through documents and specially financial documents. And all our financial disclosures are as per the requirement of Give India and they were always satisfied with our documentation and transparency there in. This is for the first time that a external agency will be auditing our work physically also apart from scrutinizing all documents. I am personally excited about this and I am curious to see the result of this audit. Mr Dharmendra is the gentleman who is from Mumbai and he shall be verifying our claims or tall claims.

Rehabilitation of ' Differently Able' children- success story

Yesterday evening Mrs. & Mr. Shrikhande came to my house. When I reached home they were their already at about 7.15 pm. They had come to invite us for lunch on coming Sunday i.e. 14th March. The occasion is there 'Sankalp Siddhi' rehab unit of 4 mentally challenged boys is completing 13 years and that too successful. Srhikhande couple of course is parent of one of the team member of this rehab unit. They said, all 4 boys will perform the puja on Sunday and than it will follow with lunch. They told, there are not many invitees but our family and Dr.Uttarwar's family who is Chairman of Sandnya Sanwardhan Sanstha.While talking, all of us were discussing about that initial period where these parents had to struggle a lot. For us at SSS also it was very difficult to convince these parents for taking over this unit of their mentally challenged wards. In first place they were not sure about the ability and the skill of their wards. Secondly, they had no confidence about there own capacity to manage and run the unit independently. They had lot of other apprehensions also. It took us more than one year to make them agree for taking over.
And now after 13 long years or not so long years, we were talking about the anniversary of this same unit. For us at SSS it is so satisfying to see these kids earning money and proving themselves as " differently able" in the true spirit. If it is so exciting to us as a organization, than, I can imagine how excited these parents must be. I know these parents have put in there heart in this venture and they have not spared any effort in last 13 years to see that the unit is successful commercially.
These boys they do screen printing and file making job.There is a supervisor who looks after the in house activity. He is a paid person but is committed to the cause of mental disability. Parents on there part bring in orders and look after the financial aspect of the unit. Yesterday I was told by Shrikhande couple that the monthly earning of these boys is Rs 2000/-. Not only that, they said that each one has more than Rs.one lack in there fixed deposit account in bank. These figures speak about the commercial success of this unit. Three cheers to these boys and their parents!!!!! I feel like flashing this in all national and local News papers. It is a ideal story and a model which should be followed by other parents.It is a extra ordinary commitment on the part of the parents which must be appreciated by all of us who are associated with mentally challenged or the ' Differently Able' children. We are really very proud of these parents and always quote there example.
These parents on there part always feel indebted to Sandnya Sanwardhan Sanstha and its management for the training of their children and the support we have been providing all through these years.

By: Navin Deshpande, Secretary, SSS
email: navindesh@gmail.com
web: http://www.sandnya.org/

Fund raising for the less fortunate

I am proud to tell you that I have decided to raise money for Sandnya Sanwardhan Sanstha. The reason that I'm doing this is that I feel that fortunate people like us need to do our bit for those with less.I am hoping to raise at least Rs. 500000/- to help this cause. Sandnya Sanwardhan Sanstha will use this money to imrove the quality of life of mentally challenged children from Nagpur and near by villages. I'm counting on those near and dear to me to help me achieve my target. Please support me by clicking on the link below: http://www.giveindia.org/give/pledgepage/sandnya
You will be taken to my iGive page where you can make a secure online donation. You will get a receipt via email that you can use for tax deduction purposes. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to get in touch with me.
I am writing this because a very special and attractive opportunity that has arisen - GiveIndia's Tax Saving Challenge. It's special because we can win matching grants from GiveIndia and the impact of your donation can be thus multiplied!
How's that?
The top 7 NGOs to raise the most funds between the 3rd-24th of March on GiveIndia will win a matching grant upto Rs. 5 lacs. What's more? The NGO to raise the most funds this week (3rd-24th March '10) will receive a matching grant upto Rs. 25,000 from GiveIndia. So, if ever there has been a good time to support us, this is it. Remember, every donation helps, and no donation is too small. If you are ready to donate now, please go to the below link and make a donation:
http://www.giveindia.org/give/pledgepage/sandnya
Do note that you WILL receive a 80(G) receipt for your donation, which you can use for tax purposes. Please spread the word by sharing this information with your family and friends too!
By: Navin Deshpande, email: navindesh@gmail.com

New venture - Rehabilitation of Mentally challenged

We i.e. Sandnya Sawardhan Sanstha is on the verge of starting a new rehabilitation unit. This is a repacking unit for agarbatti i.e. Incensed Sticks. agarbatti is a integral part of Indian people's daily life. It can be very conveniently stated that more than 90 % Indian adult population uses agarbatti. And this is irrespective of cast, creed and religion. The use of agarbatti is almost hundred percent through out all families and all over the country. The use of agarbatti does not stop here, all business establishments weather small, medium or large, trading, manufacturing or recycling for that matter any business activity the use of agarbatti in the morning and in the evening is almost like mandatory. Thus to say, the market for agarbatti is very huge and wide spread. It is same in urban and rural areas. The market is not only huge but is totally controlled by cottage industry. There are unlimited brands and varieties with different incense and fragrance. Because the taste of each individual differs and so the preferences for fragrance also varies.
All above facts about agarbatti business and and sufficient profits in repacking has prompted us to venture in to this new trade. The home work done in this regard by one of our single parent Mrs Lonkar, gives me a positive indication for this project. I am confident that we can make this rehab unit successful in a very short time provided our marketing is in a right direction.
We have already zeroed on two students, one is Prasad and the other is Devadatta. We are starting with only two students because, I feel the per day out put of these two would be more than 100 packets. Each pack will be prised at Rs.10/-. Though aggarbatti is a item of daily consumption, it will not be essy to sell 100 per day at least for first 5-6 months. I have no doubt that each boy can give a out put of more than 200 packs per day once they are properly trained for the same. We propose to start this venture on 16th of March 2010 i.e. GudiPadva the Hindu New Year Day.
By: Navin Deshpande, Secretary,SSS
Email: navindesh@rediffmail.com
Web: http://www.sandnya.org/

Rehabilitation of Mentally challenged

Rakhi unit images, in house profit making unit of SSS.

The basic difference between a normal person and the mentally challenged is, the latter is incapable of taking decision. Decision taking is one of the most important cognitive function a normal person under takes every moment. For example, should I go or not, shall I wait or move ahead, how much I should eat, how much money I need, shall I telephone to 'X' or not, should door of the room be closed, should I go out for a walk or not etc. These questions may look very simple but in fact, it is a specialized faculty in our cognition centre in the brain. This decision making ability differs from person to person in so called normal beings. Decision making ability really differentiates the personalities. Some persons are slow in making decisions while others are quick. But in any case they do take decisions and thus lead normal life. There quality of life might be directly proportional to there decision making ability. But in case of a mentally challenged person this decision making ability is all most absent in total. Thus a border line mentally challenged apparently looks normal, but the moment he has to decide any thing, he becomes totally non performing or when compelled to take decision will take exactly opposite decision then he is expected of.

This is where it becomes really difficult when you think of rehabilitation of mentally challenged. It is because of this inability of taking decision that mentally challenged need life long support. So when we plan for a rehabilitation unit, we have to think about giving a supporting hand to this unit who can legitimately take decisions regarding purchase, sale, money transaction etc. It is because of this factor that mentally challenged are not self advocates, and some body else has to plead their cause.

The rehabilitation process of mentally challenged is not only pain strikingly long but is very intricate and complex. It begins with identifying the 'ability' of the mentally challenged student, and then a group of 4-5 students is formed. Depending on the " ability spectrum" of this group trades are short listed. Among these trades, it is analysed that which trade is suitable in terms of quantity, quality, optimum profit, raw material availability, market demand, marketing net work we can select, parents compatibility with in the this group etc. We have to break the proposed work in to simpler steps and to see where student's skills match with it or not? It takes lot of time to stabilize each step then only we can move to next step. By the time we reach to the step of optimizing profit for this proposed unit, it will be about 2 to 3 years time. Then the main job of parent counselling starts. As long as this unit is in our campus, in general parents have no problem. When we start talking about handing over this unit to the parent group then real apprehensions start cropping up. We at Sandnya think, parents group should take over. This not only includes financial involvement but parents have to monitor and supervise the day to day activity also. This is where parents try to back out. In first place they are not willing to accept that these mentally challenged can work. Secondly, they are not sure that they can personally supervise and manage the business activity. This counselling takes lot of time and convincing. If the parents ultimately show their inability to take over the unit, then Sandnya Sanwardhan Sansrha has to run and manage the unit. But in such case, the whole financial activity is independent. The net profit earned in this unit is distributed amongst the unit student members. Though we provide infrastructure and man power, we do not charge any thing for this. This unit remains in our control and campus but it is financially independent.

By: Navin Deshpande, Secretary, SSS. email: navindesh@gmail.com

SSS building construction

Sandnya Sanwardhan Sanstha has its own one acre land at MIDC, Butibori about 25 Km. from Nagpur. The whole activity of Sandnya Sanwardhan Sanstha is carried out at this place. There is about 6000 Sq.ft.built up area and the building is ground plus one floor. Now we have started construction for extension of building for schooling. This proposed construction is 2700 sq.ft. and on ground floor. The budget for this purpose is about Rs.23 lacks and the estimate includes lift and staircase also. It is barrier free design and has got public utility block also. The proposed plan has six class rooms and each is with attached wash room. The estimated cost for each class room is Rs.1.5 lacks. The whole activity of SSS is non-aided and the only funding source is donations from philanthropic people and organizations. The construction activity is underway. We appeal to all philanthropic people to donate generously for this noble cause and the genuine work. All donations to SSS are exempt under 80G of IT Act.

By: Navin Deshpande, email- navindesh@gmail.com