Three days celebration of “World Disability Day” at our Gharkul –
We conducted online sessions for our parents this time.
3rd December 2021 –
A talk by Dr Mary Kuttikadan who is a Developmental Paediatrician. She is working with neurodiverse individuals.
She talked on the Topic : World Disability Day and Behavioural Reinforcement.
After that it was our Psychologist Saba Pathan. She is a post graduate in Cognitive Sciences from IIT Gandhinagar.
Topic : Behaviour Modification Reinforcement.
4th December 2021 – Session with Dr Pranita Shah
She is the head of consultation at Jeevan Sanjeevani (India). Based in Mumbai, she completed her Bachelors in Ayurved Medicine and Surgery and further pursued M.D (Masters in Medicine branch of Ayurveda).
Topic: Food and Nutrition Remedies
Then we had a session with Gauri Singh.
She is a visiting faculty for Philosophy at KJ Somaiya College of Arts and Science. She is pursuing her PhD in Yoga Philosophy from Mumbai University.
Topic: Mindfulness through Yoga.
In the afternoon, we had a wonderful meditative session with Shabari Dekhane.
She is a Post-graduate in Yogashastra. She has learned lots of healing modalities. Her major focus is on Sound Therapy and Healing.
Then we had an interactive session with Dr Wilbur Gonsalves from Mumbai University (Psychology). He has done PhD in Psychology. He is an assistant professor at Mumbai University at Department of Applied Psychology and Counseling Centre.
Topic : Child Care and Coping Skills
5th December 2021 –
A story telling session with our Story Teller Nupur Saxena.
She has done her graduation – Engineering in electronics and she is a post graduate MBA in marketing communications. She is a Book lover and a blogger.
Last day turned out out be emotional for us.
Gaurav’s Mother shared an incidence which made our tears flow –
Rahil is a Special Child. He loves to come to school. He can not use public transport. He comes to school by Rick and it takes 100 Rs per day for transportation. Few days back, Rahil got ready for school but that day his mother did not have 100 Rs with her. So, she told Rahil that it’s not possible to go to school. But Rahil started running. That day he could not come to school. Rahil”s mother works as a cook in a house.
Bhakti Tai shared about Vishal’s mother. Vishal is with down-syndrome. He is 35 yrs old. He doesn’t have father. His mother can not read, write. But she stands by him. A lady who wears nine-yard saree. She is getting old. But the she is “Woman of Substance”.
So, will keep on sharing the warm stories of our Gharkul. Sometimes it will make you cry, sometimes it will be an inspiration, sometimes you will see life from different angle….you will always learn to live for sure….
— Donate – ” Giving is not just making a donation….It is about making a difference.”
Gharkul took part for the first time in the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon (SCMM) 2017. 4 of our students participated in the Champions with Disability category. They were an inspiration for us at Gharkul and other fellow participants who witnessed their enthusiasm and cheer.
Aryan, Asma, Ranjan and Sahil, Gharkul applauds you for what you have accomplished and all that you are yet to!
Write to us on info@gharkul.org if you wish to support Gharkul at SCMM 2018.
Help Gharkul make holistic education a reality for children with special needs from marginalized communities in Mumbai.
To donate, Indian Donors please visit http://gharkul.org/donate/indian-donors & International Donors please visit http://gharkul.org/donate/international-donors
Read more about our experience at the SCMM here:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/special-needs-children-spurn-wheelchairs-for-the-big-day/articleshow/56577916.cms
 |
{gallery}news/15Jan2017_marathon_toi/marathon_Pics{/gallery} |
Gita Patel, who works as a special education needs teaching assistant in Redbridge, tackled the Thames Bridge Trek on Saturday.
The passionate fundraiser walked 25km along 16 of London’s bridges in order to raise funds for a school that rescues disabled children from a life in the slums.
Gharkul, which means home, educates children with autism, Down’s syndrome, learning difficulties and other special needs, who are often neglected by their families.
Many of the children live under bridges or in slums and the school, which offers education for free, is a respite for the low-income families.
Gita, 52, became aware of the school about two years ago after coming across them on Facebook.
She said: “I work as SEN teaching assistant with children in Ilford who are exactly the same.
“At first, I started sending them links showing them how to support the children and I just started to think about how I could help more.”
The school in Mumbai, which was founded by social worker Sunil Satpute, receives no government funding and runs from a small building.
“What they do is amazing, they work so hard,” added Gita.
After getting in touch with the teachers, she started having regular chats with the school.
The dedicated volunteer, who regularly fundraises for five charities close to her heart, decided to travel over to the school in August.
She said: “For the last year, my life has come to a standstill as I have been focusing on Gharkul.
“Visiting the school was amazing, the children were so happy.
“They have so many things stacked up against them but they always have a smile on their face.
“They have so little but they make do.”
Gita also helped the staff at the school by packing lots of educational materials that will help the children.
She said: “They couldn’t believe this sort of stuff existed! They were delighted.”
Now she is hoping to reach her goal of raising £3,000 for the school. If you would like to donate, www.ammado.com/community/191651.
