From June 2013, we have started a hostel for blind children with 14 children. Basically, the idea originated from finding of 10 blind children and almost of them belonging to very poor families. They have never lived in concrete building. Our aim is to make sure that they attend school regularly, learn Braille, get some good nutrition and get moral education – character building education so that they don’t drop out when they go for higher education. In the end, they should become financially self sufficient by getting into some vocation. We are sending them to regular school in Mandvi town along with other sighted children, teaching them Braille in the evening, teaching them music etc.
It gives us immense pleasure to note that they have started learning Braille very well. All of them are attending school regularly. They have won prizes in the “Khel Maha Kumbh” organized by Govt. of Gujarat. They have given first exam in music and all of them are learning computer also. These will open up avenues for livelihood in future.
From this year, we have increased the no. to 20.
We have received an overwhelming response for this work from the local community.
Children are also played drama in Mandvi MCA/MBA collage.