"We have some stories to tell you and some insights on life to share. We hope to be able to cross paths and help and inspire each other."
Thursday 5 April 2007
Wednesday 4 April 2007
Tuesday 3 April 2007
The Journey So Far
Life is confusing even for us who are considered 'normal' and can think and function on our own. So no wonder it is a big puzzle for those who do not have the intelligence other people their age have. And it gets harder for them when they are not treated with affection and the care that they require and instead are looked upon as a burden to the family and society.
Mentally Retarded Rehabilitation Center was established with the aim to reach out to and help as many children with a low IQ as possible. Currently located at Kharelkhot in Kavre, a village 57 kms from the capital city of Nepal, Kathmandu, it was established in the year 2006.
The initial journey began when the government introduced the concept of inclusive education in Shree Bahgwati Higher Secondary School, a government run public school, in the year 2001. The purpose of the special class in the school was to enroll 10 mentally challenged children at a time and teach them basic life skills with the aim to prepare them eventually lead a normal life. But it was stated that each batch of 10 students would be taught for 5 years, after which they would be sent back home.
The initial journey began when the government introduced the concept of inclusive education in Shree Bahgwati Higher Secondary School, a government run public school, in the year 2001. The purpose of the special class in the school was to enroll 10 mentally challenged children at a time and teach them basic life skills with the aim to prepare them eventually lead a normal life. But it was stated that each batch of 10 students would be taught for 5 years, after which they would be sent back home.
The five years of specially formulated education program did help the children make some improvements from their initial stage. However, given their limited learning ability and their need for constant guidance and support, removing them from the class and sending them back home would mean pushing them back to square one. The first batch of students completed their allocated time by the government during late 2005. Hence, in order to help them continue learning and to reach out to more than just 10 children at a time, Mentally Retarded Rehabilitation Center was established.
It was a tough decision
to make given the lack of funds and support from government, but it was an important one. Hence the center was registered as a non-government organization committed to help improve the life standards of mentally challenged children by the only teacher in the program then, Ms. Muna Silwal and some parents of the children.
Currently the center is being run by the NRs 10,000.00 ( $138.00) that the Nepal government provides each month and the limited financial support that the parents provide. Most of the children come from families in villages where their parents are involved in farming as a profession. Hence, give the low economic standards, it is very difficult for most of the parents to even fill in the basic fee of the center.
It was a tough decision
to make given the lack of funds and support from government, but it was an important one. Hence the center was registered as a non-government organization committed to help improve the life standards of mentally challenged children by the only teacher in the program then, Ms. Muna Silwal and some parents of the children.Currently the center is being run by the NRs 10,000.00 ( $138.00) that the Nepal government provides each month and the limited financial support that the parents provide. Most of the children come from families in villages where their parents are involved in farming as a profession. Hence, give the low economic standards, it is very difficult for most of the parents to even fill in the basic fee of the center.
Some current scenario -
- There are a total of 16 children now from all parts of the country.
- There are two full time teachers and two full time support staffs with the children at all times.
- A room has been allocated in Shree Bahgwati Higher Secondary School where the children attend their classes.
- They stay in a hostel, 10 minutes from the school and are well acquainted with the ways – to and fro.
- The children have been divided into three groups, depending on their learning abilities and study programs have been designed and followed.
- The children are being taught skills to help them earn their own living in the future. Some of them are able to make envelops on their own.
It cannot be over stated that these children need love and affection from other people. But then, who doesn't? It is therefore important to realize that these children have no less thoughts and feelings than any of us. And they are not incapable of learning. They just have a different, and a slow, way of learning. The progre
ss we have had with some these children is proof to this. Most of the children before coming to us were made to live in unthinkable conditions. Some were even tied along with the cattles, where they ate hay, just as the animals did. Part of this was due to the ignorance on the side of the parents, while some of it was due to the poor economic condition where they could not afford anything better. Those children before coming to us had no sense of being human beings at all. And seeing them now, befriending each other and learning new skills everyday, our faith in their ability to learn and grow strengthens everyday.
Our future plan is to run a full-fledged center with all the facilities that the children need and bring in and support as many of them as possible. Also, we aim to be able to eradicate the concept people have of "mentally retarted" children and make them understand that they are just a little different, but in other ways are very much like us. There is a long way to go, and the journey, along with it challenges, has just started.
ss we have had with some these children is proof to this. Most of the children before coming to us were made to live in unthinkable conditions. Some were even tied along with the cattles, where they ate hay, just as the animals did. Part of this was due to the ignorance on the side of the parents, while some of it was due to the poor economic condition where they could not afford anything better. Those children before coming to us had no sense of being human beings at all. And seeing them now, befriending each other and learning new skills everyday, our faith in their ability to learn and grow strengthens everyday.
Our future plan is to run a full-fledged center with all the facilities that the children need and bring in and support as many of them as possible. Also, we aim to be able to eradicate the concept people have of "mentally retarted" children and make them understand that they are just a little different, but in other ways are very much like us. There is a long way to go, and the journey, along with it challenges, has just started.
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