Keekli Reporter, 12th May, 2014, New Shimla, Shimla
UDAAN — The Parents & Guardians Society of Mentally Challenged Children of Shimla, has a serious mission, “To create and sustain a congenial atmosphere for the education and rehabilitation of mentally challenged children and to integrate them with the mainstream of the society and empower the parents to meet the challenges”. Lalita Rana, the administrator and a co-founder of Udaan says, “The focus of our institute is to provide functional learning, to make the children aware of their surroundings and make them understand the basics of life. The academic learning is more about a child being able to write his/her name rather than teaching him all the alphabets”. She further adds that we set goals for them and teach them how to achieve the. Goals such as setting plates and spoons during lunchtime or how to wash the plates in three steps — first to remove the leftovers from the plate, second to apply soap and third to wash them clean. Achieving these goals is very rewarding for our children.
Mrs Rana, mother of a differently-abled son adds, we don’t wish to compromise on the quality of life that is being provided and nor do we need a sympathetic outlook for our kids, what we want is your time and love for these kids. At present we house total number of 50 children with nearly 32 children in day care, in three different accommodations in New Shimla area. Though we wish we could provide better hostel facilities in one location itself but due to lack of space and monetary strains, are hands are tied.
Suman Sood, a volunteer, presently overseeing the day to day activities says that like any other school we too have a timetable which is strictly followed. In the morning we have an academic session, which is followed by some fun and game and after lunch we have a cultural programme. Under vocational training we teach them how to make paper bags and candles for the senior children between the age groups 15-18. All earnings through selling these items are deposited in the children’s respective bank accounts. Our next target is to teach them how to make tea. By teaching them daily routine things we try and make them independent. This way they can help their mothers at home.
Harshita, suffering from learning disorder, may not remember words or sentences taught an hour ago but her creativity was equally amazing. A collage made with colourful natural dry flowers was a prized item for her and appreciation from her teachers was her reward.
With the help of teachers like Sapna, Archana and Parul who focus especially on the children’s special needs such has voice training, coordination and mental slowness. They try to assess the conditions of these children and try and help each one individually. Other staff members include a physiotherapist Rukmini and a speech therapist, Rama. Those under job training are Sarita, Garish and Mamta and other support staff members are the accountant, Narender, cook Veena and Nisha and Om Prakash the driver.
Suman also informs that children are given various duties to help them undertake responsibilities such as during morning prayer one child is asked to lead the prayer, or to count the number of children on each table and get the same number of spoons and plates for them; or the bus duty where one child is given the task of checking that all children are picked up during their ride to and fro from home.
Lalita adds, these children need our affection and love. Despite the fact that we are short of funds and have limited space we try and do the best for these children. But our biggest challenge is to create awareness among people and especially parents who lack the knowledge and ability to comprehend the situation and how to deal with differently-abled children. In today’s world it is all about redefining perceptions and adopting a more sensitive approach to care for our children.
If you wish to make contributions, you may contact them at:
UDAAN
Parents & Guardians Society of Mentally Challenged Children of Shimla,
Block No-30, Set No-1, Phase II
New Shimla – 171009, HP
Bank Details: UDAAN P&G Society
State Bank of India: 10018105738
Saving Account, New Shimla Branch
[line]
[line]
