Strides Newsletter - September 2019 - Issue 161
- Academy of Teaching Excellence
- Counseling & Assessments
- Early Intervention
- Kaleidoscope Learning Center
- V-Excel Educational Trust
- V-Excel Remedial Center
- Satellite Centers
- Vocational Training Unit
- Youth Empowerment Services
Academy of Teaching Excellence
From Meera Suresh's Desk
It was indeed a good month for us at ATE because we started the All Inclusive session on the 13th of September after a brief postponement. Even though there were only 9 candidates who had joined us in the Batch 1 it is a good batch as acknowledged by the Faculty members.
V-Excel Educational Trust and SDS Institute of Behavioural Sciences in association with National Institute for Empowerment of Persons with Multiple Disabilities, Chennai conducted a Vocational Rehabilitation Program with the help from ATE. This program was for those who have their RCI numbers. Meera Suresh and Bhaskaran coordinated the program on behalf of Dr. Santhanam Sir, who was the main faculty member for it.
The Annamalai University results for the P. G. Diploma in Multiple Disabilities have been received. We are proud to share that out of 17 candidates who took up the examinations 16 candidates have secured the First Class.
Counseling & Assessments
This month has been a month full of counselling for all the trainees, teachers, and parents from all the department.
Counselling- We had our regular desks for corporate companies. We had a few new counselling clients and children for play therapy.
KlC- Regular weekly play therapies for various classes continued. We had some individual play therapies for children who may benefit from these individual ones. Its always very therapeutic when some of the children can be seen individually or in pairs. Children benefit from both and some require both for better breathing. Our art therapist had 6 sessions with the children for music and art therapy. She also conducted workshop for parents on lower senses along with Neha curriculum coordinator and teacher from KLC. She was also part of the teacher training course from ATE.
We met ten parents between all of the counsellors. This month we were also able to meet many teachers for mentoring, individual sessios and for class management.
VTU- Efforts to meet as many trainees and parents from VTU as possible are taking shape. Our counsellors were able to meet six parents and around ten trainees. we have also started assessment for trainees to plan their training and preparation for the vocation. Individual trainees are met by the counsellors to work on their cognitive skills, memory, emotions and social skills. Our psychologist also visited the workshops where the trainees go for training to observe them and then work on pertinent skills.
YES- Counsellor and the interns have been meeting the trainees regularly, 6-7 trainees are met individually to work on various emotional issues, behavioural difficulties and self care and grooming. The counselor has been meeting a group female trainees to talk about and train in hygeine especially during menstrual cycles, safety, health. The BALM interns were working with small group of trainees to identify and work with emotional expressions and social skills.
VRC- The intern from BALM was meeting three children who came to VRC for one on one session. The counselors will engage the children with many different activities like play, drawing and story telling. Our counsellor has been seeing meeting some of the children from VRC for individual counselling.
Early Intervention
From Lalitha Sridhar's Desk
Ready, Steady ... Write! Developing essential skills for writing in young Children.
Essential skills necessary to be able to write are:
- Core stability
- Pen / Pencil grasp and fluidity of movement
- Auditory (listening) Attention and Memory
- Visual Perception
- Writing patterns (including letter formation)
Core Stability – Wake up the body
Child's hand can produce neat handwriting only if the rest of the body is stable enough to allow for it.
Activities:
- Standing on one leg and balance.
- Throwing bean bag into a target (e.g.) hoop.
- Animal walks.
Pen / Pencil Grasp – Strengthening the hand.
A child must have sufficient strength and stamina for holding and skilfully manoeuvring the pencil.
Activities:
- Using therapeutic putty – Rolling into sausage, ball. Pinching them using different fingers and thumb.
- Popping bubble wrap with finger and thumb.
Auditory Attention and Memory - Tune in the ears.
The ability to process, discriminate and retain auditory information is essential to appreciate the relevance of communicating through writing.
Activities:
- Tap a rhythm and child copies it.
- Play Simon says (e.g.) "Simon says touch your right ear".
Visual Perception – Focus the eyes.
Although our eye sight may be good, learning to form letters requires interpreting correctly what is seen.
Activities:
- "Matching" ONE of the following (e.g.) objects, colours, pictures, names, individual letters, words to understand "same" and "different".
- Homemade pictures puzzles.
Writing Patterns - Write.
Emphasis on teaching writing patterns and letter formations.
Activities:
- Copy pre-writing shapes using ONE of the following – tracing in sand tray, tracing in shaving foam, writing with chalk on board, pencil and paper.
- Drawing within a pathway (e.g.) mazes.
The child must be seated with feet flat on the floor or supported on a foot rest and bottom back in the chair.
Kaleidoscope Learning Centre
From Gita Bhalla's Desk
The month of September continued in the festive mood of August. Krishna Jayanthi was followed by Ganesh Chathurthi and the flavours of the festival were remarkable in their common enjoyment and colour but very different in their form of worship. Ganesha is first made with hands that work with clay and life is then infused into it with the students and teachers collecting in the foyer and collecting all the mud Ganeshas to worship. Krishna this year, was met in the outdoors and in nature. Every class made their own Ganesha and these were brought down and ceremoniously worshipped amidst songs and dances.
A drama by many students from various Grades on the story of Ganesha was performed. Niharika and Aaqila danced to song on Ganesha choreographed by Priya.
Onam with the traditional pookolam was celebrated on the 11 of September. It is always a treat to the eyes to see the simple white and gold attire that the teachers and Akkas don on this special day. The beauty of the flower rangoli, the simplicity of the Onam dance is a natural treat to the senses and it’s very wonderful to note each year how these simple rituals help the children in calming down and integrating themselves in a certain way.
Dussehra celebrations on 27th Friday morning was simple and traditional. A small Golu was organised by Tamizhselvi and Nitya. Parents had sent in White Channa Sundal with their children which was mixed together in the kitchen by Vasanthi aunty. She had made "Neivedhyam - Sundal" for the pooja. There was dancing to Dusshera songs by the teachers and students. After the celebrations all the children had the yummy sundal.
Another very important part of the day, month and week routine and rhythm like in all Waldorf schools is the celebration of birthdays. Children and teachers alike are made to feel really special on their special days and a touching ceremony is performed no matter which class the student is studying. Another simple idea but one which builds the self-esteem of the student and contributes to his sense of wellbeing.
Every class teacher makes birthday celebrations a beautiful experience in different ways. Grade 5 celebrated Nedish's birthday. Senior School celebrated 4 birthdays that happened in August, together - Vidya, Siva, Adithya and Zubair's. These birthday celebrations start by telling the story of how the child decides to be born on earth to these particular parents, whom they choose and then be born. Individual verses for each child is read out aloud and then Dosa Cakes cut amidst singing and celebrations.
Teachers Day was celebrated on the 5 of September at the end of the day with all teachers gathering along with the therapists and counsellors and having a few moments of reflection, some games and some food. The celebration of these important members of society continued on the 12 of September when the V-Excel outing was held in Coco Farm retreat. A thoroughly enjoyable day, teachers felt cherished and relaxed and spent a day in great bon homie and simply letting their hair down. A big thank you to the management who made this happen.
In service training/ workshops
An introductory workshop by Bhargavi Raman was conducted on the 3rd of September for the teachers, where she talked about the steps of working with a special child for Speech therapy and in some cases how to approach it. It was an informative workshop.
Teacher in-service continued the following week by Puja who worked with all the teachers on how use Charcoal on paper and how to get a glimpse of light into the picture. She taught us the techniques, asked us to feel, sense and wonder at how we were and how we felt while working with charcoal - spreading and lightening it. She asked us to describe how each of us felt and connected it to the three foldedness of thinking, feeling and willing.
Our third parent education training program was held by Lakshmi Sudhakaran on the 20 of July. Parents were very happy and awakened when they heard about the subtle changes in growth and development at various ages and how the role of the adult around must change accordingly. Though the parents who attend are few, this is one endeavor that we would like to continue as it’s only the self-education of teachers and parents around the children of special needs that will make a lasting difference in the lives of our children.
Field trip
Grade 4, 8 students with Nitya, Tabitha and Karthika, went out on a field trip to Kapaleeshwarar Temple and then for lunch, related to their main lesson. Though the temple was very crowded, noisy the students enjoyed the visit, were happy and relaxed in the courtyard of the temple. They enjoyed the lunch too.
Tiffin Times
Tiffin Times was successfully conducted on 10 and the 24th of September. We have Surya who is soon going to join the ranks of the master chefs as he has been getting intensive training from Vasanthi in the last month.
Child study
The child chosen for the child study this month was Gracia from Grade 5.
Reports and review
The school closed at the end of the month on the 27th. All students went back with their reports for the first term. It has been a busy month for the teachers combining report writing with their daily schedules but it was successfully completed and the last day was spent drawing up plans for the next term and getting organized. School is now closed for the Dussehra break till 8 of October.
V-Excel Educational Trust
Teacher's Day Celebration
All the units in Chennai celebrated Teacher's Day 2019 at Coco Retreat Farm, Manamai, near Mahabhaliburam on Thursday, September 12, 2019. 110 teachers, staff, therapist, counsellors, support staff and the management team. participated There were lots of games, dances and songs where our staff showcased their talents. It was a day filled with fun and frolic and there were many fond memories to take back.
Teachers and therapist has been recognised by Honourable Minister of Education and Honourable Minster of Fisheries along with Mylapore Legislator at Santhome High School
V-Excel is happy to share that some of our teachers and therapist from Chennai units has been recognised by the Honourable Minister of Education Mr. K. A. Sengottaiyan and the Honourable Minster of Fisheries Mr. D. Jayakumar along with Mylapore Legislator Dr. R. Nataraj IPS, DGP (R) on 14-Sep-2019 at Santhome High School.
The Teachers' Day was celebrated for the 2nd consecutive year by Mylapore legislator Dr. R. Nataraj I.P.S, DGP (R) in partnership with Lions Club International. Honorable Minister of Education Mr. K. A. Sengottaiyan was honored with awards for 1000 teachers working in schools in Mylapore constituency. K. A. Sengottaiyan along with Honorable Minister of Fisheries Mr. D. Jayakumar are also in attendance. The Honorable Mr. V. N. Ravi, Southern District Secretary and Virugambakkam Legislator, and former South Senanayake Member of Parliament Dr. J. Jayawardena were also in attendance.
We are grateful and thankful to Dr. Nataraj for giving us this opportunity; the recognition came as a pleasant surprise to our honourees.
Remedial sessions at Government Schools
V-Excel well-wisher Ms. Jamuna Swamy invited us to display our products and services at the conference conducted by ISACA, Chennai Chapter for two days on Friday and Saturday, September 13 and 14, 2019 at Crowne Plaza. Mr. Shankar Krishnan, Mr. Bhaskar along with three trainees of Vocational Training Units represented V-Excel and manned the stall.
V-Excel thank the members of the ISACA for the opportunity. As a token of our appreciation, gift hampers made by both our Vocational Training Units.
Tarang in Chennai
The monthly Tarang concert held on Thursday, 26th September at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan (BVB) - Mylapore between 2.00 p.m. - 3.00 p.m. featured a vocal concert by the disciples of Dr. Sudha Raja and the Sargam Choir - Uthara Unnikrishnan, Tejaswini Sridhar, Diksha Krishnan, and Uthara P. They were accompanied by Advaith on the keyboard and Aniruddh on the mridangam.
The National conference on Inclusive Education
The National conference on Inclusive Education was held in Shimla from September 23-25, 2019.
The overall aim of this conference was to get an opportunity to share and disseminate ideas, research findings, academic, field-level experiences on Inclusive Education, evidence- based practices and innovation in inclusive education from different parts of India and to create a sharing community to make all children feel safe and secure in the classroom.
From V-Excel, three abstracts were submitted and accepted for presentation at the conference.
- Classroom Practices using Waldorf-inspired curriculum - authored and presented by Gita Bhalla
- The Pivotal Role of the Teacher in Child Development - authored and presented by Ajita Panshikar
- Meeting the needs of young girls with developmental delays (birth to seven) - authored by Lalitha Sridhar
Dr. Vasudha Prakash, our Founder-Trustee, was the Guest of Honour at the conference.
V-Excel Remedial Center
From Lekshmi Ramesh's Desk
Remedial Unit and Bridges Learning Academy
The month of September saw a good mix of activities and learning combined in the right proportion for the children. It began with a “poo Kalam” for Onam and culminated with the start of Navaratri celebration. The strory time which introduced the llife history of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa was carried forward to visit the Ramakrishna Mutt temple to get a feel of the life history of the Guru.
Circle time at VRC is the most looked forward to time by the students. Yoga, calming exercises , meditation, discussions about self are some of the activites that take place. Each activity is planned to give the child a fruitful learning time to understand and improve self , bonding with peers , social skils and approriate behaviour.
Aromatic foot bath for children at VRC:
Aroma foot bath is given to students on a regular basis to get them grounded with calmness and awareness of body boundry.It also helps in learning proper orientation.
Visit to the Post Office
As part of curriculum students are taught about the places in the neighbourhood. The first place to go was the Mandaiveli Post office. Children of Pre NIOS from BLA went to the post office and learnt about its activities. They all bought envelopes to write letters to their dear ones.
A special mention about our student Ethen. Ethen surprised his teacher by writing a letter to her. A classic example for ‘learning has to turn into practice.’ Here is a pic of the same.
Onam celebrations:
Onam was celebrated with a colourful pookalam by the students. The teachers during cilrcle time told the students about the festival why it is celebrated and all about the festivities that go with it. The main message was all festivals are celebrated to understand the oneness of man and nature.
Navaratri times:
Children and staff set up an aesthetic golu in the VRC BLA Corridor. Children celebrated the festival by singing bajans and songs. They prayed to the three goddess to grant them valour, knowledge and wealth. It ended with a small feast of sundal and puliodarai prepared by the teachers.
Visit to Ramakrishna Mutt:
Students and staff visited the Mutt on 27th September. In the months of August and September they were told the story of Shri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. So this visit made them get a deeper insight into his life history. The highlight was one boy as soon as he entered the meditation hall said:" Shri Gurubhyo Namaha" and folded his hands in respect. It was a moment of pride for all of us. The children put on their best behavior and much appreciated for their discipline by the Mutt Authorities. Then they visited the library in the same premise and learnt about its uses.
Nalandaway
The Nalandaway project is on. On September 4th our V Excel remedial teacher once again took charge of the activities at the resource room for the Nalandaway project. She is assisted by an Occupational Therapist. The students have been assessed and the Teaching schedules have been formulated. Owing to the quarterly exams and holidays things were moving at a slower pace. From October things will move on as usual. This year about 15 students will benefit from remedial teaching.
Anandanam
Little Masters of Anandam: Anandam students celebrated "Teachers Day" in a grand manner. Dressed up like teachers the students took complete charge of the classroom. Mind it these teachers know what they need to do in a classroom. This activity helped the children to understand the relationship of student and teacher in a novel way. As a saying goes "A teacher is a compass that activates the magnets of curiosity, knowledge and wisdom in the pupils".
Onam Poo Kalam a joint venture activity by students and teachers at Anandam.
Satellite Centers
From Jayanthi Vishwanath in Nashik
In the first week of September, children and their teachers made small idols of eco-friendly models of Lord Ganesha with clay, to mark the Ganesh chathurthi festival.(photo enclosed). Later all the idols were assembled together, beautifully decorated and the children sang devotional songs and bhajans and performed aarti and distributed Prashad to all.
For the Teacher’s day celebration, this year too, some of the parents took keen interest in felicitating the teachers. BLA student Vajra’s mom had baked a huge Special cake for all the teachers. It was a joyful day for the teachers, which ended with a sumptuous lunch spread for all.
The first Quarterly evaluations of all the school children were carried out during the third week of September. Evaluation work sheets were prepared and children were assessed by the academic co-ordinator Mrs. Sadhana Joshi and Psycholgist Mrs.Pradnya Apte. All the kids co-operated with their "examiners" and performed very well.
During the last two weeks of September, YES trainees were actively engaged in preparing art and craft products to be exhibited at a Grand Exhibition cum Sale to be organized by RLC (Rajasthan Ladies Club) in the first week of October.
From Gopal Jahagirdar in Solapur
Solapur center physiotherapist took a Workshop on Brain Gym for parents and Teachers. It was very successful workshop all parents are very happy and now they are doing this with their children everyday.
Vocational trainees are making paper bag using old newspapers and they are selling it to fruit and vegetable shop it was very good experience to them.
We celebrated Ganapati Utsav in our center. Students made very nice decoration and chant Mantras and sung Ganapati Arati and they enjoyed it.
We started training to parents on ABA therapy every Saturday
From Abhyasa Kendra - Srirangam
Yoga Programme
Yoga is an integral part of the programme for young adults at Abhyasa Kendra, Srirangam. Students are taught various asana and postures. Intially the students found it difficult to perform these asanas. But over a period of time by regular facilitation, they are able to perform few asanas independently. The yoga teacher motivates them and uses peer tutoring method to enhance learning. The general physical activity level of the students has improved, translating as improvement in performing vocational skills.
Doing yoga has contributed to both physical and emotional well being of the young adult.
From Outreach Centre - Pollachi
OutReach Remedial Center, has stepped into its 3rd year!
on 17 September, 2019
OutReach Remedial Center, has stepped into its 3rd year! on 17 September, 2019. We are honored and humbled that our success tells the dedication and commitment by the Staff, Management, Technical Advisors (V-Excel Educational Trust), Parents, Children who we serve and our Supporters. We sincerely thank you for believing in our objectives of special education. We absolutely couldn't have done it without you, nor can we take the next steps without your help. We hope that you’ll keep holding us to high standards. We promise that in the year ahead, OutReach will deliver more and better work in the field of special education with significant services for individuals with special needs.
From Erode
Importance of ADL in Intervention Programme
Self-help training is an integral part of the Intervention Programme. Motor learning and cognitive learning is important to achieve independence in activity of daily living. The following are the ADL skills achieved through intervention.
- Eating
- Grooming
- Toileting
- Brushing
- Bathing
Pre-Requisite Skills:
- Hand and finger strength
- Hand control
- Sensory processing
- Planning and Sequencing
- Expressive and receptive language
- Object manipulation
To improve ADL Skills
- Visual schedule – In visual schedule steps are involved so that the child can easily understand and remember it
- Reward chart is given for independent completion of task
- Smaller steps – Breaking down smaller steps and support the child in each step
- Routine – Use the same routine at each time
- Consistency – Use instructions short and simple
- Allow enough time - Give enough time to do and complete the task
From Tiruneveli
Parent orientation programme was conducted to all the paents of children attending Tirunelveli center various aspect of child development was discussed with parents. Improtance of DIET, Rhythm and Speech facilitation was discussed. Parents were taught few activities to be done at hime to facilitate the goals set. In order to achieve communication with every child, alternative means of communication is planned.
A puja was performed by Sringeri Sri Sharada Peetham. All the staff and parents participated in the same.
Vocational Training Unit
From Usha Rajagopal's Desk
September month was full of celebrations and exposure to various programs of Teacher's Day, Ability Fest and Idhaya Ganam by RCME
Being the month celebrating Teacher’s Day in India – Our unit had a different kind of celebration which was unexpected. Teachers, staff , volunteers had a surprise party at our trainee Anandhi's workplace – Writer's Cafe. It was a very different moment for both trainee and the teachers. A day celebrated with a difference which had more meaning for the day. Whatever was imbibed in their teaching for the trainee, the result was seen live. Anandhi took care of our team like any professional waiter will in a restaurant setup. Our senior trainer Ms. Margaret Buch was moved to see her favourite trainee working. She was made to cut the cake sponsored by Writer’s Cafe.
Our Associate Director Ms. Lalitha Sridhar along with her Senior Therapist addressed the VTU parents regarding the importance of therapy for young adults. She explained in detail the need and how it help them to be more independent and skill development. She gave five important points to be followed which will help the their wards to be more focused and helps the challenges faced. Diet, Rhythm, Endurance, importance of biting, chewing and swallowing, listening to the ward, physical space and boundaries and lots of kitchen activities at home.
The second week was fun filled with V-Excel family celebrating the Teacher’s day at Cocoa Retreat near Mahabalipuram. Games were organised by Early Intervention unit followed by dance by all the teachers and support staff. The delicious lunch was followed with relaxed swimming. Teachers and staff were made to exhibit their talents and could see many talents in all units.
The same week was the Ability Fest – International Film Festival for the Differently-abled with various movies screened which is inspiring. All our trainees and teachers enjoyed watching five movies which was very motivating.
V-Excel Teachers were recognized in a event organised by Dr. R. Nataraj, Retd DGP and MLA of Mylapore Constituency along with Lions Club International on Sept 14, 2019 at Santhome High School Auditorium. Six of our teachers and senior consultants received the award from the State Education Minister Mr. Sengotaiyan. It was kept as a surprise and was informed the previous day.
Idhaya Ganam organised by Rotary Club of Madras East, a musical evening exclusive for all the NGO’s supported by them is always received well by our trainees. All the trainees attended and a wonderful evening with so much of fun and dance.
Navarathri order have been received and executed. Training on Independent travelling for specific trainees was started with the support of admin team. The team has volunteered to train them in all aspects to be taken care during the training which involves, crossing the road, identifying their route etc., A consent form has been taken from the parents. It was started with VTU trainee Chandra. She knew the route and the admin team felt her challenge was while crossing the road. For Ibrahim, we started with training to buy things from nearyby shops which is walking distance.
Mr. Dinesh, Director of Pazhamudhir Nilayam visited our unit and interested to provide placement opportunities for our trainees in their units. He requested us to visit and explore the possibilities for any placement.
VTU products were displayed at the ISACA conference held for two days at Crowne Plaza on Sept 14 and 15, 2019. Trainees Nikhil and Sriram were on the stall with Mr. Sankar Krishnan who helped them to communicate with the members. It was a good exposure to both the trainees who are now ready for placement.
Lakshmi Sudhakar oriented the teachers about autism and importance of following rhythm in the classroom time table. Teachers started following the time which has helped trainees who started participated in the vocations. A attendance register is now being maintained in each vocations were they sign before and after their training. It was made a good impact on their self-esteem.
Charu and Mani met the Senior Administration of Ramana Vidhyalay, Sholinganallur, who were interested to buy our Thozhi pads for their school.
Counsellor Usha Venkatesh had an assessment for the trainees who are ready for placement and sent us a report with recommendations. This will make us easy to the right industry and employers for placement.
A farewell was given to Ms. Pratha Shah, intern from BALM. Trainees made a farewell card wishing her and Sailakshmi handed over as she worked mostly with her. She was here from June to September and was very useful resource who created a module which will make the non-verbal autism to express regarding any pain or discomfort. Her idea to teach money concept was totally different were instead of teach money, teaching the value of any product or items which the trainees use will be more relevant. She worked with our Senior Consultant Uma and implemented with games.
Youth Empowerment Services
From Rama Nagarajan's Desk
Month of September, saw a whole lot of celebrations, visits and happenings at YES. It did keep all of us and the trainees on our toes. We thoroughly enjoyed each and every one of those and indeed very happy to share them with all.
Events and occasions
On 05 September 2019, we celebrated Teacher’s day with great zeal. All the trainees participated with enthusiasm. Trainees of each vocational unit, with the help of OJT trainees made gifts for their teachers. The gifts were presented by the trainees with so much happiness and pride. There was also a musical treat by the trainees. To top it all, trainees surprised the staff and teachers with a cake to cut to mark the occasion.
On 11 September 2019, we took our trainees to watch few wonderful short films at the short film screening organised by Ability Foundation. This was exclusively for special needs sector and all the films that were screened were so meaningful. Our trainees enjoyed all of the 5 films irrespective of their language. They seemed to relate to them very easily.
On 12 September 2019, all of us had a great day of fun, food, music, dance and laughter at Cocoa Retreat farm, Manamai. Management had arranged for this day’s trip to celebrate Teacher’s day. The day started with some ice breaker games followed by music and dance. We had a tasty sumptuous lunch with yummy ice-cream. Then came the talent show of all the team members where they could exhibit their singing and dancing skills. So it was a memorable day for all the staff of V-Excel and we could recharge ourselves for all the coming days and months.
On 14 September 2019, it was a great moment for YES as 2 of our trainers received Sir C. V. Raman Award in recognition of their extra ordinary commitment to special education. This event was organised by our beloved MLA Dr. Natarajan with the support of Lions Club of Madras City, Meenambakkam Royal kings, Poes Garden and Moksha.
On 14 September 2019, our trainee Gokula Krishnan participated in the stall organised by ISACA at Crowne Plaza. He spoke about V-Excel and the services offered to all the visitors. He also helped in the sales of the products exhibited there.
On 23rd, 26th and 27th of September, our trainees visited Kocoatrait, the chocolate making place in Chennai. The founder of Kocoatrait, Mr. Nitin Chordia along with his wife Mrs. Poonam Chordia were more than happy to welcome our trainees there. Our trainees went in 3 groups on 3 different days. It was a very well organised visit which started with a presentation on Chocolates, types of chocolates, chocolate making and famous chocolate labels by Mrs. Poonam. Then she also demonstrated a few processes involved in the process of Chocolate making. The very interesting part of the whole thing being our own chocolate making session, where all our trainees could try their skills acquired in the same. All of us had a yummy chocolate tasting time. We got to taste some very unique and exotic varieties of chocolates.
On 25 September 2019, a music concert was organised by Rotary club at a Sir Pitty Thiyagaraja Hall, Thyagarayanagar for our trainees. It was a packed hall with many other students and trainees coming from other special schools, homes and orphanages. Our trainees had a blast with dancing to all the peppy numbers. This was followed by a tasty dinner and a gift to all.
On 29th and 30th of September, Mrs. Gayathri from YES got the great opportunity to attend the workshop by Dr. Brenda Smith Myles on Solutions for Success in School, Home and Community organised by Action for Autism. This was held at India International Centre, New Delhi. We strongly hope that few of the strategies on planning and testing can be put in use at our unit.
Production
On 06 September 2019, we successfully completed an order of printing 350 mugs and 200 jute file folders for ISACA. This order was kindly referred by Mrs. Jamuna Swamy, who is our well-wisher and now part of ISACA. Our staff and trainees worked meticulously on this order to make sure of the quality of the product and to meet the scheduled delivery date.
On 14 September 2019 we fulfilled an order for 10 packets of assorted chocolates for Rotary club. This was given by Mrs. Rukmani
On 28 September 2019, we delivered 50 numbers of Snakes and Ladders board game printed on laminated jute sheets. It was an interesting order to work with as this is our time to design and print something like this. This was referred by Mrs. Aruna. This also involved participation from Nivesh Foundation as they helped us in purchase of materials and the stitching part.
Visits
On 11 September 2019, Mrs. Rukmani from Rotary visited YES along with Mr. Dinesh, Director of Pazhamudhir Nilayam group. They were very impressed with all the activities of YES. They also liked the products made by our trainees and immediately placed an order for 10 boxes of Chocolates. On 13 September 2019, Mrs. Bhagirathy of Anandham foundation visited YES. She was quite impressed and appreciated our efforts so much.
Consultations and admissions
We had 3 enquiries, 2 consultations and 1 new admission. We have given admission to Durgadevi and she joined YES as a trainee from 29 September 2019. Mukunth has also been given provisional admission and awaiting his joining post Dussehra.
All our other vocational activities are happening as per schedule. We are in the process of fine tuning our soap making. As far as the Arts and Crafts is concerned, with the help of new trainer Mrs. Girija Balaji things are speeding up and there are lots of new products that our trainers and the trainees are getting trained in.