Post picnic report

Sandnya students went on picnic on 16th Dec'11 to "Highland park". This picnic was sponsored by the management of "Highland Park". Our staff did tell me that our students really enjoyed the park and rides as well. But it was a pleasant surprise to me when many of our mentally challenged students were trying to tell me how they enjoyed picnic. Every year our students go on out door picnic. But I did not notice this excitement after the picnic. Aditi who is autistic, had never tried to communicate with me, in spite I have been meeting her practically every day. She on the other day was trying to tell me in her own way how she enjoyed the picnic. Similarly, Pankaj Tembhekar was also very happy and was telling me that he liked it. What more you want. It was really so satisfying for me personally. It felt like all our efforts were worth it. In fact, Mr.Prashant Vaidya, one of our long time supporter, was insisting since long time that our mentally challenged students should be taken to this amusement park. Prashant Vaidya is the owner of this amusement park. Though he was insisting, we at Sandnya were not really sure that our children could really enjoy the rides in the amusement park. I am really happy, that we went to this amusement park. I certainly appreciate the gesture of Highland park management.

By: Navin Deshpande, Secretary, SSS

Sandnya went for picnic

Students of SSS went for outdoor picnic to "Highland Park" on 16th Dec' 2011. Our two buses left Nagpur office at 9:45 am with 76 students and staff for "Highland park" which is about 10 km from our Nagpur office and it is off Amraoti road. Our Principal reports that all our mentally challenged students enjoyed the whole day. All most all students took the train ride and were very much thrilled through out the ride. The day out was a great fun day for them. Many of them got so much exited with the whole atmosphere at the park. Climate and weather was also very conducive and favourable. Management of Highland park was very co operative. They offered ice cream and chocolates to our students apart from free entry and free rides. A gesture we certainly appreciate. Owners of Highland park, Vaidyas are one of the oldest & consistent supporters of SSS. They are silent supporters with out any pomp and show. We at Sandnya feel that these small gestures go a long way in our endeavour of rehabilitation of mentally challenged.

Navin Deshpande, Sec. SSS

Saraswati Poojan-02-12-11

After morning prayer, we had Saraswati Poojan. It is a regular feature for all Fridays. It is a type of ritual which not only helps in socialization but it further helps the one who is holding the "arti" thali and "agarbatti". During "aarti" all are supposed to clap at a certain rhythm. One who is overactive, it will help him to calm down his actions, at the same time one who is indifferent otherwise, it motivates him to do it with others. In case of those who have physical limitations, weather with hands, legs, or body postures this gives them an opportunity to try. These group activities has a special significance in case of mentally challenged children. We have a support staff for all those students who can not do by themselves. Few of them need verbal prompting and others will need physical prompting also.

Navin Deshpande, Secretary, SSS