Feed a differently abled student for a month by Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled

15 Disabled and underprivileged youth disabled youth were supported through Samarthanam’s higher education program. students were provided free accommodation, nutritious food, college tuition fees, books and stationery, assistive aids, scribes (during examination).In January books and stationers were distributed to all higher education students of the Bangalore branch in Bangalore.On February 11th, the Department of Empowerment of differently Abled and Senior Citizens of Karnataka had organized the “Word Disability Day” program at Ravindra Kalakshetra, Bangalore. Hon'ble ministers Sri. S.T. Somashekar (Minster of Co-Operation, Govt of Karnataka) and Smt. Shashikala Annasaheb Jolley (Minister of Empowerment of differently Abled and Senior Citizens of Karnataka) visited Samarthanam’s stall. Both the ministers appreciated the work done by Samarthanam Trust for people with disabilities. Beneficiaries and staff from Samarthanam Trust participated in the program.On March 13th, higher education girl students from the Bangalore branch participated in the “International Women’s Day” program held at Samarthanam Trust’s Head Office in Bangalore.

On April 2nd week 2021, the deadly CORONA virus again shook the entire Karnataka State and the State Government announced a complete lockdown. The colleges were closed again and most of the colleges had to continue the teaching through online mode only. Many Educational Institutions / Universities across Karnataka had either postponed or cancelled the annual examinations to be held during April – June 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic WAVE -2 crisis. Few Universities had even promoted their students to the next class by considering their internal exam scores and previous semester exam scores. There was a subsequent delay in the admission process and the Educational Institutions were not able to commence the classes as per the regular academic calendar. Students, parents, teachers were all living in a very uncertain situation with regards to the commencement of the academic year and students were also much worried about their academic careers.  Most of the parents were worried about the health of their children due to the sudden onset of COVID-19 WAVE – 2 pandemic crises across the State The resident students were continuously monitored for any COVID-19 symptoms and regular COVID tests were arranged for them in the hostel itself. They were also informed to maintain the COVID appropriate behaviour in the hostel at all times Most of the parents/guardians lost their jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic and children were disturbed and worried about the ways to make the payment to college tuition fees. Many parents informed that they would ask their children to drop out or discontinue this academic year as they were concerned about the safety of their children. Samarthanam coordinators arranged a virtual counselling session for all these parents and students. They informed the parents/students about the importance of continuity of their education and assured full academic & financial support from Samarthanam to each student in whatever way possible. This had a great impact on these parents/students and boosted the confidence level of students. As a result, many students are now continuing their higher education without getting dropped. Despite the ongoing Covid WAVE – 2 pandemic crises, students were supported for higher education Students are now able to continue their higher studies in reputed colleges without getting dropped out

Jagdish was born blind and he completed his primary education in Anganvadi school in Narasapura, a small village near Chickkaballapur, Bangalore rural district. After his primary education, his teachers communicated to him that their school lacked the resources to cope with visually impaired children. Shortly, Sarva SiksahnaaAbhiyana members at the Taluk level came for a baseline survey for an inclusive education program for disabled children in their village. Miss Suma, one of the members of the Sarva SikshanaAbhiyana met Jagadish and suggested his parents make the admission to one of the blind schools in Bangalore. With the help of Miss Suma, Jagdish got admission into Priyadarshini school in Bangalore. Jagadish got well adjusted to the school and he completed his high school also and mastered, music as well.Due to financial problems, Jagadish parents were struggling to arrange hostel and tuition fees for Jagdish for his collegiate education. Jagadeesh’s uncle informed his parents about the Samarthanam Higher Education Program. His parents approached Samarthanam for financial support.Samarthanam Trust has taken care of his further education expenses. Samarthanam provides facilities like free accommodation, food, library, educational needs, scribe and volunteer support, access to audiobooks, etc. that would immensely help him and others like him to overcome their disability and integrate well into the socio-economic structure of India. He scored 67% in Second Year Pre-University Board examination. Currently, he’s pursuing in B.The 3rd year in GFGC Yediyur, College. He has also won prizes in a music competition and every year, he participates in the March Past parade during Independence Day and Republic Day Celebrations. Rightly, proud of his achievements Jagdish wants to become a lecturer in future and is also immensely grateful to his teacher Suma and Samarthanam Trust for the role they have played, to quote in his own words, “without their support it would have been impossible to continue his education”.Jagdish’s case story is a great example of the force of empowerment and liberation that education can wield. It shows how children like Jagadish who suffer from visual impairment can still become a transformative force in their community.

The purpose of the project is to provide higher inclusive education in renowned educational institutions, by providing free food, accomodation, college tuition and admission fees,facilitating students to participate in the online classes by providing tabs and internet data packs, virtual soft skills, English language and technical trainings, and improved standard of living for the differently abled and underprivileged youth.

Samarthanam Trust for the disabled provides residential facilities for differently-abled students pursuing higher education. It extends practical support to bright students with disabilities who are otherwise unable to pursue higher education on account of their physical or socio economic challenges. The pass outs from higher secondary school with physical or social challenges are identified and enrolled into mainstream colleges for courses of their choice while providing them with comfortable residential facilities. Their academic costs and study materials are taken care of by Samarthanam. For our students with visual impairments and other print-related disabilities, the educational materials are also made available in accessible formats like audio books, large print etc. Regular volunteers also extend reading and scribe services. As a result, some of our students have already passed out of premier institutions like IIMs and are now working in large corporate companies.

In the long term the outcome of the program is to create an inclusive society which provides opportunities without any discrimination for the development of the differently abled people.

This academic year, Higher Education Program Coordinators were able to mobilize and enroll differently abled and underprivileged youth in the age group of 15-25 years to the higher education program across Karnataka. The Coordinators connected students through whatsapp groups and enrolled them to the program. They also counselled the students and the parents and motivated the students to continue their education and asked the students not to dropout from their courses due to the long lockdown imposed by the state and central government due to the onset of COVID-19 pandemic crisis across the country.

Yes, there was a slight deviation in the activities due to the COVID-19 pandemic crisis since April 2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic crisis the Higher education batch of 2020-2021 was declared a virtual batch.

Challenges due to COVID-19 Pandemic:
For the academic year 2020-2021, most of the Educational Institutions / Universities across Karnataka were either postponed or cancelled the annual examinations to be held during March – August 2020 due to COVID-19 pandemic crisis. Few Universities even promoted their students to the next class by considering their internal exam scores and previous semester exam scores.

There was a subsequent delay in the admission process and the Educational Institutions were not able to commence as usual. Even till date the admissions are still ongoing, reopening of the Colleges / Educational Institutions have been delayed, and are also further dependent on the guidelines from UGC and SOPs from State Higher Education Department. Students, parents, teachers are still living in a very uncertain situation with regards to the commencement of the academic year. Currently, there does not seem to be much clarity on when colleges will function as usual and there is a lot of confusion. Also, most of the parents have expressed their consent to colleges to continue the teaching through online mode.

 In spite of the ongoing COVID pandemic crisis, students have been enrolled to the program
 Students are able to continue their higher studies in reputed colleges without getting dropped out.
 Other differently abled students are also getting motivated to pursue higher studies by seeing their friends graduating successfully and getting employed.
 Increase in self-worth and self-esteem as their on par with their able bodied students
 A purpose for life and streamlining of their focus towards a better future
 A sense of security and emotional bonding.
 The financial burden of 170 plus parents/families have been drastically reduced
 The students are able to focus on their studies without any other financial worries
 Better career opportunities.
 The ultimate results can only be seen in the long term, but we have taken the first step for their holistic development ensuring that in the long term the results are positive.

Joys of providing food to the underprivileged

The youth stay in the residential home under our care and support. We provide for them end to end. We give them nutritious meals and snacks 3 times a day. We would also love to share with you the other facilities we have enabled for our youth.

 English Language training, soft skills, life skills training and computer training were imparted for students.
 Visually Impaired students were provided with audio books which would be helpful for them during examinations.
 For the below average students remedial class was also arranged.
 We have also distributed assistive aids to students
 Scribes were arranged for the visually impaired students for the semester examinations held during November and December 2019.
 Students have participated in various events / extracurricular activities like sports.

Along with academic studies we also recognize strengths/ talents hidden in each student & help to bring out the best in each of them in extracurricular areas like music, dance, theatre, sports etc. Students have participated in various events / extracurricular activities like athletics, Independence Day celebrations.