Quarterly Newsletter of Project SakshamHolistic Education for Children with disABILITIES in Urban Poor Areas of Bhubaneswar

Vol : I | Issue : II | April - June 2016

Welcome to the Second Issue of Saksham

I have seen many changes in recent years. Before, everyone thought that all persons with disability just begged. But now they know it is possible for persons with disabilities to learn, to work, to live with dignity. Given opportunities to flourish as others might, children with disabilities have proved by fulfilling lives and contributing to the social, cultural and economic vitality of their communities. Education has really made a difference in each of these cases. It is time for more people to change their views – from charity to opportunities, from welfare to rights.

Project Saksham run by Swabhiman, Aditya Birla Financial Services Mumbai and the Department of School & Mass Education, Government of Odisha, is supporting 461 children and young people in Bhubaneswar slums who were excluded, ostracized, and denied access to the education that should be their right, and reducing the stigma in their community against persons with disabilities.

Project Saksham isn't just about how a few students' lives has improved because they were given access to education – although that alone would have made the project worthwhile – it's about how a change in a few students' lives can have incredible knock-on effects on families and communities, combating prejudice and reducing discrimination and injustice. Inclusion matters. The difference being able to attend school can make can't be overestimated – and this is why “Project Saksham” calls on government , private sector and civil society to give children with disabilities the same opportunities as everyone else to gain an education and realize their potential.

Dr. Sruti MohapatraProject Director, Saksham

Chief Executive, Swabhiman

Appreciation Letters

Government of Odisha has expressed its appreciation of Swabhiman's work by inviting us to develop the module to train teachers at village level to teach children with disabilities. They invited us as trainers. And specifically expressed satisfaction over Saksham's intervention and the result.

HIGHLIGHTS of the second quarter…

2 Inclusive Child Resource Centers (ICRC) have been

formally inaugurated and all 8 are fully functioned.

461

Children/Youth with disabilities of 06 - 18 (MR upto 25) years have been identified and are included in services and support being provided through Project Saksham..

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Of the identified 71 (dropouts and never gone to school) children 54 enrolled in current academic session. Kudos to our facilitators who counseled and motivated parents

and children alike.

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Youth have started earning. Market linked Employment- 7 YwDs (Reliance Fresh Salesman - 2, Dalma Hotel - 2,

Mixture factory - 1, Cycle repairing shop - 1). Self-Employment - 5 YwDs ( Sewing Machine - 1, Pressure

Pump - 1, Fridge - 1, Goods for Variety Shop - 1, Cloth for Dress Material Shop - 1).

6 Physiotherapy has increased health condition and

confidence - 52 CwDs are getting regular physiotherapy. 6 CwDs who have been lying on bed since birth are

sitting up, changing sides, sitting on WC and 2 coming to ICRCs.

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Of the 277 CwDs irregularly attending classes, 120 have started coming regularly to school. The ICRC with its

clean rooms, joyful teaching and activity based learning has led to this.

aksham

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Geography

Project Saksham covers 136 notified slums and 72 government schools under Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation.

Population Covered

461 Children and youth with disabilities (6-18 age group + dropouts and MR [children & youth] up to 25)

Children (CwDs) and Youth supported through Project Saksham with Age-groups

CwDs in BhubaneswarBMC Report 2016

Number of Children of Different Disability Categories in each Age Group in Project Saksham

Categories of Disability

Academic Development of the Child (Curricular and Co-Curricular Activities)

Summer Classes in Community Halls

During April when the temperature of Bhubaneswar soared to 45.8, Government declared to close all schools till the last week of April. This closing of schools was followed by summer vacations. The activities of Saksham could not be stopped for such a long period hence a decision was taken to take education to the doorsteps of our children. Thereafter meetings were fixed with community members and held in their respective community halls. Parents were delighted to know that classes would continue. In some slums, initially there was a demand for payment of rent. However, these were overthrown by majority members who expressed their happiness and appreciation for Swabhiman's initiative to mainstream their children. There was request for allowing non-disabled children to participate to which our team agreed. Till 25th of May classes were held in community halls.

Tuition and Language Class

Children with disabilities and without disability were provided with tuitions from the facilitators for their better education. A total of 105 classes on different subjects

(Mathematics, English, Science, Odia, History and Geography) were taken by facilitators in all ICRCs by covering total 187 children, 156 with disabilities and 31 without disability.

Children for better understanding of languages were provided with language class. 3 language classes organised in different ICRCs. 40 classes in Hindi were taken by resource person Rohini Shaw covering 59 children, 42 with disabilities and 17 without, 4 classes in Sanskrit by Biren Sahu covering 14 children, 10 with disabilities and 4 without, 1 class in English by Anwesha Ambaly & Lucky covering 22 children, 13 with disabilities and 9 without.

Sign Language Class

For the children with speech and hearing impairment, sign language classes are carried out by Interpreter

Pramod Kumar Mohapatra in different ICRCs. The classes not only CwDs but also the facilitators, parents, community members and children without disability. In this quarter total of 116 children, 72

with disabilities and 44 without disability benefitted from 42 classes in ICRCs 2, 3, 5 and 8.

Hindustani Classical Vocal Class

Children are learning Hindustani Classical Vocal from Sachitanand Sahoo. A total of 31 classes have

been conducted covering a total of 59 children, 38 with disabilities and 21 without disability.

Music class has resulted in active participation in the ICRCs, the children who were shy are transformed into self-confident kids and have earned the confidence of singing in front of a gathering..

Classical Dance Class

Children are getting expert guidance from two teachers in different ICRCs. Binayak Jena from Odisha Dance Academy and Kasturi Pattnaik are the two who have already guided 37 children, 24 with disabilities and 13 without disability in 22 classes.

Fine Art Class

From the identified number, most of the children wereinterested in fine arts and were very happy on getting a teacher. Mukund Prasad Pattnaik, speech and hearing impaired, is taking classes in fine art. He is teaching children the art of drawing and painting with their passion. He has covered 83 children, 61 with disability and 22 without disabilities in 15 classes.

Books in Alternative Formats

Books in Braille format for class 9th and 10th were distributed among CwDs. Braille book of MIL (Odia) has been kept at ICRC 1 & 2 for use by children with visual impairment. Braille books on other subjects of class 9th and 10th is under the process of being printed. Government press at

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Berhampur has been contacted for Braille books. They have books of all subject from class 1 to 6; and of class 10th. But the current challenge is books of Odia, English and Science of Class 7th and books of Science, English, Odia, Odia Grammar and Physics of Class 9th. Also it is difficult to get any books of class 8th at the Government press. But to overcome the challenges we are trying to get the audio books recorded and books with large fonts for low vision. Some sources suggested availability of audio books for class 8th, 9th and 10th. We are yet to get authentic information about the same.

Teaching Learning Material

Each ICRCs different TLMs which are used to teach the children. Tactile state maps, district maps, fruits and vegetable charts, domestic and wild animals charts and plastic toys of fruits, veggies and animals are being used to make learning a fun filled exercise for children. TLM have touched a total of 247 children, 167 with disabilities and 80 without.

“I don't like books and I don't like to study but I love to play with the animals at ICRC. I know the names of all the animals and fruits and their colours also”, - Krishna a mentally challenged boy

said this about the TLM.

Mainstreaming for Social Inclusion

Provision of Assistive Devices

Wheelchair : 13Foot Drop Splint : 01 Walker : 02Neck Collar : 01Reading Glass : 05Low Height Table : 05Hearing Aid : 05

Infrastructural Support

Accessibility is being increased by construction of ramps and putting up of signage. In the second quarter, two more ICRC 7 and ICRC 8 were inaugurated with provision of electricity connection, putting up of Signage and synthetic flooring in the month of April. Towards the end of April ICRC started getting new look with creative child friendly wall paintings attracting more and more children to the ICRCs. After the wall paintings there was an increase in the attendance register of ICRC. Successfully we have completed the wall painting of ICRC 1 by

Footsteps, ICRC 5 and ICRC 6 by speech and hearing impaired artists Naseem Azam, Mukund Prasad Pattnaik and their team. Total of 222 children benefited by the construction of ramps, railings and other constructions at ICRCs.

Transport Support

CwDs and their parents due to their indigent economic condition are not able to bear the expenses of travelling for health check up to health camps or to hospitals, mobilisation during combined classes in ICRCs, so Swabhiman is giving them travel allowances and is supporting them to enable their child's participation in different activities.

Entitlements

Accessible Furniture

To make reading and sitting comfortable for CwDs, 6 low

28 are pending for physical verification in front of Disability (Medical) Board.

Bus concession

11 0 Applications under process.

2

Train concession

10 02 Applications under process at Capital Hospital for final approval.

3

Madhu Babu Pension

06 01 Applications under process at BMC for final approval.

4

Sl. No. Entitlements Applied Received Remarks

Disabilitycertificate

51 231

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height tables were given to 6 children. “My child got a study table and a back supporting chair from Swabhiman and after getting the assistive device my trust upon

Swabhiman is increased. I wish to be an active member of each activity that happens in ICRC. I take Durga regularly to ICRC. He is taught by teachers and is supported by his new friends, watching all this

I have no words to say but many thanks to Swabhiman.” quoted Durga Sankar Dash's (ICRC - 6) mother Namita Dash.

Yoga

Upendra Mohanty and Satyabrata Das, the two resource persons for Yoga and Pranayam, are teaching different exercises to children with disabilities and without disabilities. Most have learnt Surya Namaskar. Children

with orthopedic impairments have been taught exercises to improve their posture. 74 yoga classes have conducted and covering 240 children, 112 with disabilities and 128 without. The result was visible on Sagar

Das (Cerebal Palsy), who used to previously sleep after continuous exercise. He sits up these days.

Health Intervention

In the second quarter, a total number of 92 underwent health checkups.

Physiotherapy

Dr. Mukesh Kumar is giving physiotherapy to OH children in different ICRCs. He has taken a total of 31 sessions covering 198 CwDs. He taught the children and

their parents the relevant exercises and the children are willing to undergo more sessions. 7 children were also taken to Maya Clinic, Saheed Nagar for more intensive therapy.

“My daughter always wrote with her left hand as she was incapable of using her right hand. After a few physiotherapy sessions, now she can not only hold things with her right hand but write as well. It is a miracle. All that I can say God bless Swabhiman.”, quoted Sajida Anjum's father Mr. Abdul Khan.

Speech Therapy

Ms. Kasturi Pattnaik is giving speech therapy to the speech and hearing impaired children in different ICRCs. In this quarter, we have successfully completed 52 sessions of speech therapy covering 97 speech and hearing impaired children.

Livelihood Foundation and Enhancement

Youth with disabilities are also an excluded part of a society. Saksham is making efforts to help them live with dignity. To motivate YwDs some training programmes were organised during this quarter.

Poultry Farming

Total 30 participants among whom 22 were YwDs and 8 non-disabled participated in a six day training programme in poultry farming organised in collaboration with Central Poultry Development Agency, Eastern Zone. At the end of the training all the participants were given certificates.

Juice Making

9 YwDs attended a one day juice making training under the guidance of Ramesh Debata from Institute of Hotel Management, Bhubaneswar. He trained them in peeling, extracting juice from fruits and vegetables in a hygienic way. He shared how to prepare economically viable ready to drink fruit juice

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and vegetable juice. He also explained the medicinal use of all type of juice.

Job Fair

8 YwDs attended a job fair organised by Vocational Rehabilitation Centre, Bhubaneswar. Attending the job fair brought a confidence in the youths to face more challenges and ultimately to earn.

Cooking Training in Hotel Presidency

4 YwDs attended a seven day cooking training in Hotel Presidency. The main objective of this training was to give an exposure to the kitchen environment of a big hotel,

the methods of cooking, hygiene, mesa preparation etc. After completion of this training they will be facilitated to work in hotels, restaurants or to start their own food counters.

Dalma Interns

2 YwDs Rasmi Ranjan Moharan – mentally challenged , Tilotama Nayak – cerebral palsy took training of 2 months

in Institute of Hotel Management in the first quarter and are now working as interns in a restaurant - Dalma, Bhubaneswar.

Employment Kit

4 YwDs got employment kit support to enhance their livelihood and live with dignity. Sonali Sahoo, a speech and hearing Impaired girl received a sewing machine, M. Shiva Reddy speech and hearing impaired boy received a refrigerator, Mamali Sathua, an orthopedically challenged

girl received material support to run her stationary shop and Bubun Pradhan, a visually Impaired boy received a start-up assistance to sell garments in the vending zone.

NIOS

National Institute of Open Schooling did a session with 8 YwDs. The resource persons from NIOS for interaction were Sambit Mishra, Senior Executive of NIOS and Sibanarayana Rout, Office Assistant, NIOS.

Information Technology Enabled Services

7 youths are continuing their training in Information Technology Enabled Services.

Mega Loan Mela

An inclusive consultation was held on 25th June 2016. Total 74 youths, 34 with disability and 40 without disability participated in the session. They revealed their ideas with an expectation to get some financial help from Punjab National Bank in the presence of Jyoti Ranjan Rath , DGM and Circle head, Brajakishore Sahoo, senior manager credit, Omkar Nath Das, Branch head, Lewis road.

Youth started earning

Ranjan Bhoi, orthopedically challenged is working as junior sales assistant in Kalamandir (Garment Shop), and is earning Rs 5000. Balaram Swain, orthopedically challenged, Rashmi Ranjan Maharana, mentally challenged, Tilotama Nayak, cerebral Palsy, are working as interns in Dalma (Restaurant), Bhubaneswar and are earning a stipend of Rs 3000, Sambhu Bhagat, orthopedically challenged and Swagat Chankar, orthopedically challenged are working as Customer Service Associates in Reliance fresh and are earning Rs. 2660.

M. Shiva Reddy, speech and hearing impaired (Provided with a refrigerator) has earned Rs. 1000, and is earning till date. Sonali Sahoo, speech and hearing impaired (provided with a tailoring machine) has earned Rs 3000. Mamali Satwa, orthopedically challenged (provided with material support) has earned Rs 1000. Bubun Pradhan, visually impaired (provided with material support) has earned Rs. 1500.

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Children As Active Citizens

Engagement with Parents

In this quarter the parents were more supportive towards Saksham after observing the remarkable the changes in their children's physical and behavioural aspects. Some parents are ready to bear the travelling expenses, some are ready to sacrifice their work to bring their child to ICRC and some are active members and wants to join in each and every activity of ICRCs. In craft workshop a total of 77 parents from all the ICRCs learned from the expert and helped their children to do the crafts for the exhibition.

Engagement with Community

The community members of the slums from where CwDs come to school and respective ICRC are delighted to see the impact of ICRC on their children. During summer vacation classes all community members gave us permission and a room to conduct the classes without any rental amount. Only one community that was of ICRC 8 asked for a rental amount of 2000 but after a meeting

with the community members and after knowing the cause of Saksham and its work they allowed us to do our classes in their community hall and did not charge a single pie.

Art of Living

Vijaya Laxmi took Art of Living class for one week in ICRC – 5 and taught the children moral values of living. The session covered 21 children.

Raja Yoga by Brahma Kumari Sisters

Brahma Kumari Sisters (Lina Bhauni) took 12 classes on moral education in ICRC - 3, ICRC - 4, ICRC - 6 and ICRC – 8. A total of 54 children attended the session. 26 CwDs and 28 without disability. The impact of Raja Yoga classes was, they learnt to say good morning at the beginning of the day and In ICRC 8 Children with disabilities were inspired from the talks regarding environmental cleanliness and one day they cleaned the surroundings of their ICRC.

Effective Communication

To speak the learned language in an effective manner, effective communication classes is provided to CwDs by Dr. Tapas Das. 2 classes covered 34 children.

Craft Workshop

235 children (114 with disabilities and 44 without) and 77 parents attended craft workshop by our expert Arun Phatak, from Ratnagiri, Maharastra. To engage the students in activities during summers this workshop was organized in all the ICRCs, where CwDs and their parents actively participated and learnt to make various things out of paper by using old newspapers, colour papers, waste materials, paper plate etc. Mr. Phatak not only taught the participants paper craft but also shared with parents the tips for the positive development of CwDs.

Audition for Magic Show

Training in Magic was organized by magician Sudhansu Das in ICRC 2 at Govt UP school on 10th April 2016. Total 34, 18 CwDs and 2 YwDs participated in the programme. The aim of the programme was to identify the children having an interest and ability to learn magic and perform in different national level programmes. Out of total participants 5 were selected to get further training to became professional magicians.

Celebration of International Yoga Day in the roads of Bhubaneswar by ICRC kids

56 CwDs performed yoga on Sunday morning (19th June, 2016) guided by expert Bibhu Prasad Das and his two helping hands Upendra Mohanty and Satyabata Das in Rahagiri Day. It was Swabhiman's "International Yoga day's" prelude.

Celebration of Rajo in ICRCs

Odisha, state of culture and festivals, has a day for girls called “Rajo”. This year our ICRC children enjoyed their day in swings but not in their community but ICRC. ICRC 3 children prepared a Thank You card for Dr. Sruti Mohapatra and Swabhiman Team.

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A/98, Budha Nagar, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India, Pin - 751006

Tel. : 0674 - 2313313/ +91 9238106667Fax : 2313313/ 2311957/ 2311964

Email : swabhiman@gmail.comWebsite : www.swabhiman.org

Swabhiman Premier League (SPL)

Swabhiman Premier League (Junior) was organized from 29th to 31st May in the grounds of B.J.B College Colony Project UP School.

59 children, 45 children with disabilities and 14 without of all 8 ICRCs participated in the match. The first match was held on 29th May, between Rising Stars (players from ICRC 1 & ICRC 8) and Little Masters (players from ICRC 6 & ICRC 7). The second match was between Brave Riders (players ICRC 3 & 4) and Royal Warriors (players from ICRC 2 & 5) on 30th May. The final between the winning team of both matches (Rising Stars & Brave Riders) was held on 31st May. Finally Brave Riders won the match. Rising Stars were the runners up.

Editorial Team

Editor : Dr. Sruti MohapatraDocumentation : Sarah Banoo Lipsa PriyadarshiniPhotography : Seema PradhanConceptualization & Designing : Rajesh Ranjan