Sponsor our work
We are seeking support for four projects this year 23 - 24
Our ongoing projects are described below.
You can take a look at our videos to know more about what we do or simply look for us over a google search. Thank you.
1. Anganwadi Outreach - Bangalore and Pune
This comes under Health, nutrition, disability, education - Women and Children
We need funding support for our outreach executives. Two in each city are required for the work that we do. These executives have to be fluent in the local language and Hindi / English and capable of making a presentation using PPT.
Budget: Salaries, printing, projector hire, stationery, tranportation, phone calls, wifi and other admin expenses.
0 -6 years is the main developmental phase in human life. Anganwadis are play schools in urban and semi urban slums where basic education begins. We have been conducting workshops for Anganwadi Workers on disability prevention, detection and early intervention in and around Pune since 2012 and have taken our work to different parts of Maharashtra too. Bangalore ICDS department has also authorized us to conduct these sessions here. Our work has been much appreciated by the authorities and Anganwadi workers too. We also conduct mental health sessions for the Anganwadi workers to help them do better in their work and at home.
Anganwadi workers are often not aware of the 21 disability list or the symptoms related to each disability. We conduct a workshop and give them material in print and soft copy versions to refer to.
Early Intervention is the first step towards preparing a child for their life according to their capabilities. Very often, it does not happen in time and the child's needs are neglected.
Primary school education begins at the age of 6 and existing disabilities must be recognized before the child enters school. This doesn’t happen most often if the parents are unaware of symptoms or in denial.
Anganwadi workers live in the same area they work in, and so they know everyone in the slum. With the information we give them, they are able to identify and advise even older children and adults with disabilities so they get the medical and expert consultation they need.
The anganwadi workers also help us identify those who need UDID cards.
2. UDID cards and online documentation help:
This comes under Disability support
Budget: Salaries, stationery, internet, transportation, admin expenses.
Once a disability is diagnosed, a child needs to have a disability certificate / UDID card to avail of the facilities and allowances granted by the Government of India, including ensuring admission in schools. Without this card, the child is unable to access any support, including prosthetics, assistive devices and aids, therapy, etc.
Very often, education remains a distant dream because the time has already passed and the parents are clueless.
Senior citizens develop disabilities with age but many people we all know do not have a disability certificate.
Many people who have had accidents or illnesses are not aware of the 21 disability list. Many doctors have not been informed yet about this UDID cards and their importance,.
The government has no way of knowing how many people require support and allowances.
The forms related to UDID card and disability schemes have to be filled online and many from the lower income group are unaware of the formalities.
Our small team of two executives [with disabilities] manages to help approximately 10 people with disabilities and senior citizens per day with their paperwork for UDID cards and other forms which have to be filled online for free. Our photocopying machine has helped speed up the process since there was none in the vicinity of the hospitals and applicants were inconvenienced.
Our helpdesk is run by People with Disabilities and this ensures visibility and income to them too.
3. Online Computer Training - 4 month batches - Basic and Advanced - for students from across Maharashtra
This comes under education for youth with disabilities
Budget: Salary for the tutor. We do not charge the students anything.
Our teacher is a person with Visual Impairment, our ex student and now an expert.
Basic: Our students are often those who do not understand how to navigate the screen and keyboard. Most people who have visual impairment do not use the mouse [unless they are partially blind and can manage to see the cursor]. Our basic classes help them understand the working of the computer and the internet.
Advanced: This course teaches them how to use the computer and the internet. Emailing, messaging, MS, etc. which are everyday functions they will have to carry out with the help of computers or the smart phone are taught to them.
4. Replicating our inclusive play areas in Shivarkar Gardens and Ahilyabai Holkar Udyan in multiple parks around Pune and Bangalore
Play is a part of education, training and support. It teaches children and adults with and without disabilities how to get along and have fun.
Budget: Play equipment, tranportation, supervision, installation costs, ensuring approach within park is also accessible.We can tweak the budget according to need and availability.
We believe that if children with and without disabilities play together, we will be saved the effort of sensitizing adults in seats of authority in Governemnts, municipalities, corporate house and businesses tomorrow. Play is what teaches us confidence, resilience, patience, negotiation and social interaction. Our parks in Pune are a source of fun and learning.
We can manufacture and install as many pieces of equipment as our budget will permit in each park.
We have shared several designs and ideas with the Pune Municipal Corporation Garden Department and they are willing to give us space in their gardens for inclusive play equipment.