"The secret of success is to be in harmony with existence, to be always calm to let each wave of life wash us a little farther up the shore."
Cyril Connolly
V-Excel News
24th of September was a much-awaited day as it was a culmination of the numerous sports practice sessions of over 100 children
with special needs. The Sports Day at the YMCA Indoor Stadium was based on a circus theme with many interesting animal races and
colourful fun drills. In a live interview that morning with Chennai Live 104.8, the local FM radio station, our Director Dr. Vasudha
Prakash gave a brief description of the Sports Day and invited all the Chennaites to witness this unique event.
Our Chief Guest was Smt. Sri Lakshmi Prasaad, IPS, Inspector General of Police – Technical Services. We were also lucky to have
the Indian cricketers, Robin Singh (Coach of Mumbai Indians, IPL) and V.B. Chandrasekhar (Team In-charge, Chennai Super Kings, IPL)
as our Guests of Honour. We would like to sincerely thank all of them for giving us their valuable time and earnestly participating
in our show. We are also thankful to Nestle who sponsored coffee for all our parents and guests. The audience was full of smiling
faces appreciating the spectacular feats and children’s enthusiastic antics. It was indeed a treat to the eyes and brought warmth to
the heart! Kudos to all the teachers who tirelessly worked with the children to make this program a reality.
Every third Friday of month is designated as the Cultural Day at V-Excel. On this day we have an artist performing for our
children and their parents. It is an experience which is working well for the children as they learn sitting tolerance, social
skills besides therapeutically being touched by the music. The artists this month were the Trichur Brothers and their team.
We are extremely grateful to them for their melodious performance and, more importantly, for their goodwill gesture.
We welcome two new young volunteers, Olivia and Mikhe, from VIA Germany. We have earlier had volunteers from this organization
and eagerly look forward to the same dedication and commitment from them as their previous counterparts, Lorenz and Andrei.
Kaleisdoscope Learning Centre
The month started on a happy note. Almost the entire staff of KLC, joined in the Teachers Day celebrations at Yelagiri! It
was wonderful to see the usually harried faces relax in the gardens of Yelagiri, trek and go for a boat ride. They all came
back refreshed to take on the task of training and preparing the children for the Sports Day.
Ramzan was celebrated on September 9th, with Zubair’s and Affrin’s mothers conducting the event. They distributed sweets and
vadas to all. They also explained the significance of Ramzan to the school children.
On the Sports day the children outdid themselves in the drills and other events. It was colourful and full of zest and we
acknowledge the contributions of the parents by sending all their children neatly dressed in sparkling whites, lending uniformity
and grace to the occasion. We also would like to thank all the other service units for the excellent cooperation they extended.
In the continuing spirit of teamwork and camaraderie, the staff from all departments got together and performed a movement sequence
which was greatly appreciated.
Two of our teachers, Janaki Ashok and Sowmya Sarathy, along with the trainer Mr. John Miller conducted a two-day workshop for the
Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) staff. The experience was of a very different nature and truly rewarding.
Academy for Teacher Excellence
The month brought back memories of school days for the trainees as they participated in the Sports Day practice. It was a joy
to see trainees confidently and enthusiastically taking charge of the children and efficiently carrying out their assigned duties.
On the work front, trainees progressed further on the ‘Case Study’ practical by constructing Interview Schedules and Assessment
Checklists.
The effort put in and focus on good work were apparent when the students prepared for presentations and written projects for
Internal Assessment.
As a part of the course curriculum, we had organized a study of ‘We-Can’, a Special School in Chennai. This visit was particularly
informative for the trainees as they observed the individual sessions and teaching–training methods used there.
Early Intervention Unit
Children who are studying in different regular schools had their first term examination. They have done well and the parents
are very happy with their progress. We will soon be weaning away those children from our early intervention program who have
settled down in their schools.
Some of our children took part in the circus parade on sports day while some participated in the finale along with children of
vocational unit.
Home-program reviews were done this month and new programs have been given to the parents. We also had a parent meeting for
discussing various administrative issues. We also emphasized the importance of maintaining communication book.
Bridges Learning Academy
Three of our children - Ruppesh, Kiran and Sudarshan - participated in an inter-school painting competition conducted by an
environmental organization from Delhi. It was a good experience for them to have a goal oriented, focused assignment.
The programs for the children are being very closely monitored and they are progressing fairly well in terms of their academic work.
Like all the other children in V-Excel, our children too underwent rigorous practice for the Sports Day. They were very excited on
that day and the highlight were their un-choreographed, spur-of-the-moment, amazing cycle stunts by our senior children. The applause
that followed boosted their confidence to show more of their cycling skills!
V-Excel Remedial Centre
VRC has one-on-one programs for children with learning difficulties. So many of our children attend regular school and come
to us only for remedial intervention. Hence they were not able to present a separate item on the sports day. However, one of our
students joined in the cycling event and was happy to receive a medal and a certificate.
The staff was given responsibility of decorating the large Indoor Stadium chosen for holding our Sports day. As the theme was
circus, we used different art materials on the theme and made many colourful charts with animals, trapeze artists, clowns,
acrobats. The arena brightened up considerably and everyone appreciated our efforts.
Our teachers also took part in teachers’ performance; it was enjoyed thoroughly by the teachers, students and parents alike.
It is time to review the students program and our teachers are now busy documenting the progress of each of their respective students.
Rural Outreach Program
The government has sanctioned Rs. 80,000 to us for getting uniforms for 200 special children from our Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA)
project in Villipiuram district, Tamil Nadu. We are trying our best to get good material at reasonable cost so that two uniforms
each can be bought for the children.
Britannia Industries Limited has come forward to help us, once again, with 4,500 packs of biscuits for all our children under the
rural program. They have been consistently supporting us for nearly three years now through their Chennai-based South Regional office.
Thanks very much for being our ongoing partner.
Vocational Training Unit
The month began with report meetings with the parents from the 6th to 9th September. The parents got to see their wards in
the ‘training’ environ. Many of them expressed happiness and surprise that their son/daughter was doing activities they never
thought capable of them. Based on the new revelations, parents also gave their wish-list which will now form the basis for
discussion of goals for the coming term.
It was sports time and our teachers spent the best part of their time and efforts in practice and preparation of props for the
event. All the students enjoyed their part thoroughly. The VTU had a race similar to an obstacle race with 'circus' tasks. The
'thaka dimi' circus saw them exhibit their individual skills in yoga, skating, balancing, skipping etc., all set to the rhythm
of 'thaka dimi'. In the grand finale, the trainees portrayed what the word CIRCUS meant to them: ‘Creative, Intelligent, Resilient,
Champions, that is US, in this grand circus of life.’ The sports events were non competitive one and all the trainees were happy
with the medals and certificates awarded to them.
The trainees and teachers participated in the "Joy of Giving" program, an event organized by the Down Syndrome Association on
26th and 27th of September. It was two days of fun with gifts for all. It was a good exposure to the trainees in social and
adaptive skills, where they had to take instructions from persons new to them.
The boys in the VTU have started making enjoyable snacks in the afternoons. They love to work in the kitchen too!
Counseling and Assessment Unit
Given that September was a busy month with school Sports Day practice, we used this time effectively to meet many parents
during this period. Our observation is that, this year, the parents are more open to meeting with counselors. We are sure
this will help them and their children.
With our corporate clients, our consistent work has helped in creating awareness about mental health issues. People are readily
seeking help and possibly sharing the benefits with even their relatives or friends; this month we got many referrals of such cases.
The next month we intend to give a thrust to creating awareness about Play Therapy in hospital settings. We have planned to approach
pediatric doctors and Cancer specialist to see if we can conduct some sessions in the hospitals.
Contact Information
V-Excel Educational Trust
#1 Norton 2nd Street
Mandaveli Chennai 600 028
Tel: 91 - 44 - 24620243
91 - 44 - 24956373 E-mail us or visit us at www.v-excel.org
V-Excel Center for Research and Rehabilitation
(In assocation with S.V. Sarada Foundation)
50 Sreyes, M.G. Road
Shastri Nagar, Chennai 600 041
Tel: 91 - 44 - 24522061
91 - 44 - 24521986 E-mail us
Academic Concepts, Inc.
1403 Merrywood Drive
Edison New Jersey 08817
Tel: (732) 572-3748
Tax ID: 22-3632715 E-mail us
