Support the education and therapy of a disabled child for one month

About the organization

The Society for Child Development (SFCD) works for the welfare of children with intellectual disability (aka: mental retardation) by providing education, vocational training and skill development. SFCD also provides opportunities for young adults (i.e. 18 years and over) with this disorder in skills development. About 75 to 80% of the persons (children and young adults) availing the services are from poor income families. Activities 1. Education: SFCD provides education to mentally retarded children (ages 3 to 18 years) in the following areas:

• Training in basic life skills like sitting, walking and movement through occupational and physiotherapy (medical services)
• Nutrition and health care as their ability to resist diseases and infections are very limited
• Special education for learning basic academics
• Special vocational training to learn basic skills that would be useful in adult life.

2. Community and Family development: Most parents/families think that children/adults with disability are a burden and so they do not send them to school or provide them with opportunities for growth. SFCD in association with the Deputy Commissioners office of the North district, Delhi is reaching out to the community and conduct educational and awareness activities. The Resident Welfare Associations of these communities are also a part of this program. SFCD has received the Government of India’s National Award for the Best organization for its work in this area. 3. Vocational Training and Skill Development: Most often children with mental retardation lead lonely and isolated lives as they find it difficult to mingle with other children. This isolation leads to mental depression and increases their vulnerability to disease and early death. SFCD trains these individuals over a period of many years to do very simple tasks that could be useful in earning a small income. It is believed that when they do so their value in their family increases and parents take better care of them. Some of the tasks are

• Recognizing colors and sort accordingly
• Use scissors to cut
• Tear paper
• Roll newspapers to make long strips of paper
• Help trainers to do simple manual tasks

With the help of the tasks the following skills are taught:

• Sort and Cut waste flowers
• Making paper bowls and thalis
• Making handmade paper
• Weaving newspaper mats

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Please click here to view the balance sheet for the year 2011-12

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Story of hope 1 Ravi, a 21-year-old youth hails from a lower middle class family of Punjabi Bagh in Delhi. His mental growth was impeded because he suffered from frequent bouts of fits and seizures till the age of 5. Being a slow learner he was groomed and educated at SFCD’s PRABHAT – a special school for disabled children from the age of 3 to 16 years, free of cost. After being educated at Prabhat, Ravi was transferred to the Skill Development Center at 16 years. Under the expert guidance of the project managers, Ravi was trained in flower cutting, making handmade paper and painting diyas for Diwali. Based on his potential and steady progress, SFCD decided to transfer him to the hand operated loom project which would provide better prospects to a disabled young man to earn a livelihood. Today Ravi is well trained young weaver who can operate the hand operated loom independently. The self-confidence and capability displayed by Ravi has elevated him to the post of an assistant project manager. He also trains other disabled trainees in weaving. His affinity to the trainees enables him to relate to them with greater ease and thus impart meaningful training. The income he earns gives self-confidence and independence and adds to the meager resources of his poor parents. Story of hope 2 15 years ago, Anupam who was then 8 years old enrolled in SFCD’s PRABHAT. He had a squint and had multiple disabilities including Cerebral Palsy. He was unable to sit, eat or drink without help. He lacked self-confidence and was too scared to converse or interact with his classmates or his teachers. His parents had sadly concluded that Anupam would never be able to lead a normal life; and considered him to be a big burden.Anupam was administered physiotherapy. When his limbs picked up some strength he was taught the basic necessities of life with painstaking efforts over a prolonged period. He was also given some basic education in keeping with his ability to learn. His limbs and brain have been nurtured to the extent possible. Now he can stand on his own with support, drives a wheelchair, sings songs and participates actively in games/fun activities. He can wear his clothes, play; can write his own name, a few 3 to 4 letter words and numbers and simple additions and subtractions. He is a happy go lucky child who is loved by all. His life is valued now! With his keenness to learn we are confident he will show further improvement and if possible earn a living for himself. Anupam has since been upgraded to the Skill Development Center where he is learning to separate flower petals and separate seeds from the pods for making non-toxic colours.

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S.No.	Name of the Member	since	Designation	Profession
1.	Dr Vijay Agarwal	3/03/1992	President	Pediatrician
2.	Dr Abha Bhawal	12/03/2011	Vice President	Pediatrician
3.	Aman Rai	12/03/2011	Member	Architect
4.	Dr Satya Prakash	20/08/2000	Treasurer	Pediatrician
5.	Dr Madhumita Puri	3/03/1992	Secretary	Psychologist
6.	Ankush Gupta	20/08/2000	Member	C.A
7.	Indira Rai	24/11/2007	Sr Vice President	Artist
8.	Anuroopa Giliyal	12/03/2011	Member	Lawyer
9.	Dr Vipin Malhotra	12/03/2011	Legal Advisor	Lawyer

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Society For Child Development, C/o Sanjivini Nursing Home D-13 Kamla Nagar, New Delhi- 110007 Contact Person: Maj Gen (Retd ) Vinod Anand, Volunteer Phone: 011-23840186 Mobile: 09818943101 0971176990 Email: sfcdaccounts@gmail.com Website: