Strides Newsletter - November 2019 - Issue 163
- 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
• Inclusive Education classes have been completed successfully. The feedback received from the candidates has been very good. Batch-2 admissions for the All Inclusive Classroom course have started.
• Received the Annamalai University Mark sheets of Batch-3 from the university.
• Planning the valedictory function soon for the Batch-3 candidates.
• We received the intimation for the Annamalai University examinations. The written exams will commence on January 5, 2020 and the viva-voce on January 9, 2020.
• Preparations for the CRE program to be held on 27th and 28th December 2019, are going along simultaneously.
• The CRE Program Flyers have been sent to special schools across Chennai by mail and whatsapp.
• ATE candidates took part in candle making, as a part of the All Inclusive Classroom curriculum.
Counseling & Assessments
This month of November was month full of conducting a training and getting trained for many of our counselors. Puja attended a Art Therapy internship under Wakako her trainer from Australia who was a faculty at IRA teacher training course. Puja also facilitated many sessions at IRA. Radhika attended a module of IRA teacher training. Jayadevi has started a taking training in Cognitive Behavior Therapy. Puja and Parimal also conducted a few session in ATE on handling Behavioural issues, movement.
They as a department met for a painting session with Puja to understand what each one of them is doing in different departments.
KLC- They have been able to meet six parents, most of the teachers for carriculum or regarding children and for themselves. Puja JayaDevi met individual children for counselling, play therapy, art and music. The weekly group sessions continued. Puja was also part of Blue Blue sky choir which performed at AMM school.
VRC- This time counseling team worked with MAWAMA project under VRC. Our counselor met two parents. One vocational assessment was conducted and we met the parents to guide them for further action. Our regular individual sessions continued.
VTU- Our counselors have been working with individual trainees and small groups on various aspects like memory, emotional expression, boundaries, social skills and placement specific preparation. Some of the parents and siblings of the trainees have been met to understand their resistance and fears regarding placement.
YES- Latha the counselor worked on a curriculum prepared for getting trainees ready for transition to placement. She worked with groups of trainees as well individuals. Met 3 parents to prepare for placements of their ward. Teachers are being met as well for personal and other technical inputs.
Movement and music work with the group take place every week.
Regarding placement assessment and preparation we have developed a process. From assessment the probable training or placement place for an appropriate fit, preparation of trainees and handholding them had been covered. The orientation can be standardized so whoever is conducting the orientation they can do it in the same way.
There had been many individual adult clients who have also been seen by our counselors. In art therapy it was interesting to see how the movement at a soul level brought out a corresponding change in thought process. It was also very insightful to see how lack of opportunity in school age to experience right freedom, art, nature creates closed and non imaginative adults. When we talk about health giving surroundings and education we are essentially preventing adult psychological difficulties in adulthood.
Early Intervention
From Lalitha Sridhar's Desk
Strategies to facilitate feeding in young children
No skill creates more anxiety in a parent than eating or lack of eating. Some children may have poorly organised suck, swallow and breath synchrony. Some may not sit still long enough to eat the meal. Others use the mouth to discover the world-edible and non-edible items are mouthed, chewed and sometimes swallowed.
Here are some tips to facilitate feeding:
- Apply pressure through the teeth, gums, cheeks, and lips to prepare for food.
- Prepare for eating with movement (e.g. sitting on bouncing ball, parent's lap, rocker board etc.)
- Try a weighted cup, or a cup with lid and a straw if your child often spills the drink.
- Use movement breaks for active child.
- Encourage lot of oral motor play with whistles, harmonica etc.
- If your child is slumping in the chair, try some pressure through the shoulders to create the muscle tone to facilitate upright position.
- Try different sitting arrangements to facilitate an upright posture and focus.
- Begin with your child’s favourite food and then increase choices.
- Model for your child.
- Encourage your child to request the food he wants independently.
- Pre – cut food, to encourage independence.
- Modify utensils / seating to compensate for the child’s challenges.
Remember, working within your child's tolerance allows for the development of trust. Trust decreases emotional distress and helps child to learn. Make feeding time enjoyable and an opportunity to facilitate communication.
Kaleidoscope Learning Centre
From Gita Bhalla's Desk
November has been a full month of activity based on inclusive events and many practical experiences based on the curriculum blocks.
In a unique program initiated by the AMM school , we had a series of interactions with different classes. It was a value education program for them and for our students an opportunity to interact and share a space with regular school children. This happened over three days. On Friday the 22 nd , the Blue Blue Sky Choir visited AMM school and sang for the students of Grade 5,6 and 8. This was followed by a few songs performed by their choir for us. The AMM school had arranged for some simple innovative games and they had a great time playing it and later sharing snacks with them. On the 26th it was KLC's turn for Tiffin Times and the whole Senior School was involved in every aspect of this project. AMM School Students came in to meet the students, interact with them, buy and eat snacks in Tiffin Times, sing, dance and they were there for more than an hour and went back happy. Our students too had a wonderful time with them. One of our student, Prasad's mother Uma sent a message "Thank you so much! And many thanks to the management, teachers and students of AMM, please convey my appreciation to the school...Looking forward for such an event once a month or once in 2 months! yesterday evening Prasad was in a happy mood!"
This was followed by the Tarang program which was attended by a few AMM School Choir Group students. They enjoyed the concert of V. Deepika, accompanied by madurai M. Vijaya Ganesh on Violin and Saurab Joshi on Tabla. She kept the session interactive and our students too enjoyed the program.
All three sessions of interaction were age appropriate, savouring common experiences and generated a warmth which was easy to feel between the two sets of students. We at KLC definitely feel that inclusion activities should be more customised and real rather than just sharing a space with not much soul exchange.
Earlier in the month, we had participated in a patriotic run, a marathon and the Blue blue sky choir was invited to sing as cheerleaders for the same occasion.
Children's day celebration on the 14 of November saw the parents and teachers coming together and arranging a day of fun and games, and lunch for all the children and staff. We acknowledge gratefully the effort taken by the parents with Dhanam as the coordinator who came together, took time off to make this event a huge success.
Curriculum trivia:
Different blocks in different classes lend themselves to different kinds of practical work and make for deeper understanding of the subject. Using the lively arts in teaching of science and social studies and literature make the students more alive in their will and more agile in their limbs.
Grade 5 is learning about Plant Life - Mushrooms, Lichen, Moss etc. in their main lesson. Part of their learning is from models made, drawings, and practical real life examples. They made mushroom with paper. Collected samples from their walk in TS and displayed it on their main lesson table. In their practical work with woodwork they have made a plate stand with pieces of wood collected by them.
In another instance Grade 6B students are learning the lesson where the Trojans fled burning Troy, on ship, travelling a long distance and settling on land, where their ship was burned by the women under the leadership of Lady Roma, which would later be called Rome. Rome is the land of Seven Hills. The handwork of the ship and the hills were made by the students. This lesson was enacted as Drama by the students of that grade.
Continuing the parent education training, a workshop by Lakshmi Sudhakaran on Revisiting Teenage 14-21 years was conducted and we had nearly 28 participants in it. It was a 3 hour workshop and kept the parents interested and immersed in both the lecture and interactive session with Lakshmi. It was well received.
On November 8th, we had Jothikalai, a multi-talented visually challenged young girl singing for our students during music time.
Junior School, KG, Grade 1 to 6B went to the Sensory Park in Santhome, one fine morning as a spontaneous group decision. They had the whole park to themselves and had a wonderful time there. They were happy, free, enjoyed with the teachers who became children themselves and we saw many students laugh and smile and relax without any restlessness, sensory issues or behaviour problems. It was a natural, therapeutic fun day where disability somehow takes a second seat to the fact that children are children and their spirit can be met when they are free to explore, engage and experience the environment. Photographs taken on the occasion show this joyous and fun aspect of childhood and we were really happy to see the children in their element that day.
We sincerely would like to thank Mr. Subodh Panshikhar and our very own Ajita Panshikhar for facilitating the whole external therapy project for our students. A very important part of curative education lies in external massages and therapeutic baths. A few of our students needed this therapy with immediate effect and others who are in the waiting period. So KLC as of now has its own bath tub and geyser to perform some of the therapeutic baths for the children under the guidance of Mr. John Miller, a close friend and mentor. Deep gratitude to all who have contributed to this cause.
We also had a simple brief graduation ceremony for Mukundan Iyer who has been moved to YES and after a month of transition has settled well into the routine. We wish Mukund a fond farewell and wish him well on his continuous journey of finding himself.
On a sombre note, we at KLC were struck with deep sorrow when we received news about one of our ex-student Akshay Sriram, 19, passing away after a bout of illness at his residence in Mandaveli. Akshay was in KLC for about five years and he is remembered well by teachers and his friends now in grade 8. Touching tributes from his friends poured in the whole week from his class mates in the form of poetry. Teachers in touch with his parents found the parents broken but reassured by some of the deep wise messages from Akshay's friends.
V-Excel Educational Trust
Low-cost sanitary pads, Thozhi
We are grateful to the Management and to the Principal Mr. G. Sethuraman of Thiruthangal Nadar Vidhalaya, Thiruvottiyur, for facilitating the purchase of our low-cost sanitary pads, Thozhi, for their school students. We have placed two vending machines in the school and also distributed the pads. The school will purchase the pads from us on a regular basis. This servers a dual purpose - one of motivating our own trainees and the other of creating awareness about special needs among their students.
A different Children's Day celebration
Vidya Sagar, Chennai organised an event on 14 November 2019, to celebrate Children’s Day on their premises. There were games, fun, and tasty food for all. Everything looked very colourful and cheerful. The events were an extension of their Kalakkal Cafe, an inclusive cafe designed to give access to people with disabilities.
At the Avvai Home & Orphanage, Adyar, the Rotary Club of Chennai Royals had organised a day full of games and fun-filled activities on November 16, 2019. All the children were provided with lunch and snacks.
Happy and proud to share that V-Excel's mobile food truck, Tiffin Times, was part of both these wonderful events. The menu offered at Vidya Sagar included vegetable poha, kuzhi paniyaaram, onion pakoda, bhel puri, coffee and tea. We catered to about 150 people including the trainees, parents and staff of Vidya Sagar. It was great to see our trainees helping their trainees and the support was mutual.
At Avvai Home, we served hot noodles, frankies with coffee to 230 people including the children, staff and the Rotary Club members. It was very heart-warming to see the children enjoy the food and happily interact with our trainees.
We are grateful to the management of Vidya Sagar and Avvai Home & Orphanage and to the members of Rotary club of Chennai Royals for giving us these opportunities.
Looking for more such wonderful events and opportunities.
Support Us! Support our community!
Tarang in Chennai
The monthly Tarang concert held on Thursday, 28st November at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan (BVB) - Mylapore between 2.00 p.m. - 3.00 p.m. featured a vocal concert by Deepika V. accompanied by Madurai M. Vijaya Ganesh on Violin, Saurab Joshi on tabla.
V-Excel Remedial Center
From Lekshmi Ramesh's Desk
Remedial Unit and Bridges Learning Academy
November has been a wonderful journey for the students and the teachers of VRC. Children’s day celebration, field visit and Science Expo were the notable events in addition to the regular classes and activities.
Star of the month: Mrs. Gayathri Sridhar Special Educator.
Mrs. Gayathri Sridhar has been journeying with VRC for the past three years. A great motivator and keen observer, she always had the right plans for the children and executed them with utmost care. A great motivator and team builder she integrated the team members with her deep knowledge of the subject and skills to train them and encourage them to move forward in the field of remedial teaching. She has always carried her smile and positive energy to help VRC to bloom with life and energy.
Know your Neighbourhood: Tour No. 2 - 13 November
This month it was a Nature walk! A walk to unravel one’s relationship with nature and enjoy its sheer calm. Theosophical Society is a sought after destination for all nature lovers in our neighbourhood. About 23 of us participated in this event. The team travelled by the school bus to the destination. The walk started at the back gate the children walked in pairs and were shown the various plants and trees they saw on their way. The first break was at the Zorastrian temple. From there we walked to the Great Banyan tree. Some clicks and talk then we were off to see the fruit bats. The children were excited to see the bats of varied sizes hanging upside down and calling to each other. Then we saw a pond with a bloom of lilies. Finally, we reached the Hindu temple. The temple had a lamp. The lamp that signifies the light of love, unity and energy. We all sang bajans. The teachers spoke to the children about unity and peace. Then we walked back to the van and came straight to the school full of energy and blissful memories.
Children’s Day celebration: 14th NovemberThis year children celebrated their special day with children of KLC. The program was organised by the Parents group of RA Puram centre. The students of BLA said a group prayer to inaugurate the function. Neha, NIOS student welcomed the gathering with a short welcome speech. Keshav Raj Manohar and Sriniketh of BLA gave a speech on Jawaharlal Nehru and Children’s Day.
The girls of our team gave a group dance performance with the able guidance of their teachers. The dance was choreographed by Tamil Vani and Divya Special Educators of our team. The highlight was it gave scope for all the other students to integrate into the dance in the last lap of the dance. It was a feat worth watching.
All the students enthusiastically participated in the sports events conducted by the parent group. Each one of them was awarded a prize. What a wonderful day!
It was now time for lunch and the children were treated to a yummy lunch by the parents. Together they sat and enjoyed the meal chattering about the events that they had witnessed. The children were thankful to all the parents who had made this day a wonderful one.
VRC – ISHA Program:
V-Excel has joined hands with ISHA Foundation to help children with disabilities. The program involves a holistic approach towards special education. This will be a short term program ranging from a few days to weeks. The children will be given remedial program comprising an assessment, observation in the remedial set up, Occupational Therapy, a home program to sustain the learning, counselling sessions for the parents and arts therapies for the children. Three children have benefited by this program this month. This is going to be an ongoing program which would benefit many children and their families.
Workshop on Learning Disabilities:
Our team from VRC Mrs. Lekshmi Ramesh and Sumathi Srinivasan conducted a half day Workshop on “awareness on Learning Disabilities” at Sri Ramakrishna Mission National Primary School, Mint, Chennai on 23 November. About fifteen teachers of the school participated in the workshop. The teachers were given a brief presentation on Development milestones and its effects on learning, different learning methods, red flags in learning disabilities, remedial teaching and inclusive classroom. The teachers as a part of the exercise were asked to fill a "Questionnaire on Learning Styles". It helped them to identify their own style of learning. The last thirty minutes was dedicated for a question answer session. The teachers enthusiastically participated in it.
Science Expo:
Learning is understanding and application of the same to daily life activities. Each day we learn from the things we see around us. The children had a Science Expo Day on 29 November. The following activities were done by the students: The topics were Air pressure, Water cycle, power of magnets, living and non-living things. There was a short talk on water cycle. A simple model of it was displayed. A student spoke on Wind mills, how they work and its uses. VRC group gave a talk on living and non-living things. This was based on the model of the zoo a combined effort of the primary students of BLA and teachers. The art work done by the students were displayed creatively. There were experiments on power of magnets, attraction and repulsion, magnetic field – by students of pre NIOS. It was indeed a moment of accomplishment for the whole team! Keep it up Children.
Nalandaway
The children of Nalandaway had a surprise element in their Children’s Day celebration. The children did art work and sang songs and some movements. The surprise element was a "Treasure Hunt" game. The children enthusiastically participated and enjoyed hunting the hidden treasure. The remedial classes and OT classes are being conducted on a regular basis.
Anandam Learning Center
The students of Anandam Learning Center got busy on November 14th. The children took part in speech competition and drawing competition organised by the teachers. It was an opportunity to display their creativity. This month has been a wonderful month of learning and fun.
Satellite Centers
From Jayanthi Vishwanath in Nashik
The month of November was filled with activities and practice sessions related to the preparation for the Annual Day to be held in December. One of the important activity carried out in November is home-visit.
This month, we would like to share home-visit experience of our Center's Counselling Psychologist, Mrs. Pradnya Apte.
Home visits are very important as it plays a major role in understanding a child with special needs and their family, surrounding and environment.
By visiting the home, we can get a fair idea of the child's behavior and responses. We are doing home-visits consistently since Nasik unit (special school ) has been started from 2013. As a counsellor and psychologist , I am doing these visits since last 6 yrs, accompanied by the teacher of the child.
Many a times, I am surprised to behold various aspects and emotions of a child in his/her home environment.
When we tell the parents that we are coming to your house, parents get tensed ! They wonder why and for what purpose are the counsellor and teacher coming! They have lots of questions in their mind. But after we visit them, when I explain to them about the purpose of our visit, parents become relaxed and appreciate our work.
On the other hand, when we visit their home, many kids are happy and surprised, show a lot of excitement. Sometimes they can express their emotions or sometimes not. Some children get disturbed especially autistic children..They don't show any reaction, they don't want to communicate or meet teacher, are aloof or withdrawn and don't pay any attention to teacher or me.
For instance, Ovi, a girl with Down"s syndrome was told that we were going to visit her home, she asked me, what snacks would we prefer to eat!! When we stepped into her home, she gave us a warm welcome, served water to us, as a mark of hospitality. She escorted us around her house and various house hold activities , folded her uniform and put it away, in front of us.
Sometimes few children showed drastic change in their mannerisms, i.e.their behaviour in school was different from what they exhibited at home. Less verbal children like Om, Arnav and Abhiree, show shy behaviour and seemed to be introverts at school. Surprisingly, these three kids showed opposite behaviour, while at home.They became excited to see us and talked loudly, spoke complete sentences with us and with family members in our presence.
Atharv, Arnav got excited, showed us their puzzles, note books, toys, flash cards, cloths etc. They introduced us to their grand parents and other extended family members.
All the Parents too, co-operated well for home visit..Grand parents also asked various questions and are curious to know the details of the school and behaviour of their ward at the school etc. It has been an experiential learning for us. So it has been good for us and for parents, to include home-visits in our yearly planning Calendar.
From Gopal Jahagirdar in Solapur
On 14th November, Solapur unit celebrated Children's Day at Perl Adventure Park. All children from our V-Excel Center enjoyed different rides, adventures, music, dance and delicious food. This event was organised and sponsored by Mrs. Amruta Kadadi and family on the occasion of her daughter, Ishwari's birthday and supported by Innerwheel Club of Solapur Starlet, Team Perl Garden and Team V-Excel.
On 20th November, 15 students and their teacher from Jnana Prabodhini School visited to our school as a part of their education.They observed, played with our children. Also sang songs, told small story with act and showed magic of mixing colours and made new colour to our children. Asked many questions to knowing the problems and difficulties about our children.
On 21st November organized visit and consultation of Dr. Godbole and his team Meena Borde (psychologist) and Dr. Kritika Moholkar (Physio cum Sensory Integration therapist).
The team explained, counselled, consult and gave practical inputs in therapy program to our therapist and parents.They did 11 assessed children's consultation and 11 children's new consultation and suggests some of them to do assessment before his next visit.
All parents were very happy for giving them this facility from our center.
From Abhyasa Kendra - Srirangam
Children who have difficulty in learning are facilitated through remedial education programme. They attend regular school and remedial intervention at the center. Every child is assessed for their learning needs and an individual IEP is formulated. They receive both therapy and special education. Facilitating communication is an integral aspect of remedial programme. Periodical feedback is given to the parents and is followed up with home programme. Children also take part sports, yoga, cycling and other physical activity
All the students participated in children days programme. Children were involved in singing, making cards and sharing their experiences.
From Erode
Importance of play in early childhood development
Play is an integral aspect of early childhood development. Through play children learn about concepts cause and effect and about themselves. Besides cognitive thinking, play helps the child learn social and psychomotor skills. It is a way of communication of joy, fear, sorrow and anxiety.
An understanding of play in many forms can help parents understand its importance for children in all ages.
- Physical play
- Expressive play
- Manipulative play
- Symbolic play
- Solitary play
- Parallel play
- Associative play
- Cooperative Play
- Onlooker play
Home programme on facilitating play is as integral aspect of intervention. Center celebrated Children's day through various games and other activities.
From Tiruneveli
V-Excel Tirunelveli celebrated childrens day. The event was held at Srisringeri Sharadha Kalyana Mandapam. Mr. K. M. Kasi Vishwanathan and Manager of Sharadha Mandapam presided over the function. The staff had put together various events for children like fancy dress, yoga demonstration, and music. Parents also participated in an event organised for them. The guests spoke about the involvement of MUTT with V-Excel. The children were given gifts and snacks. It was a fun-filled evening for children, parents and staff.
From Outreach Centre - Pollachi
குறில், நெடில் வேறுபாடுணர்ந்து படிக்கச் செய்தல்
பொதுவாக கற்றல் குறைபாடு உள்ள மாணவர்களுக்கு குறில்,நெடில் சொற்களைக் கண்டறிவதில் குழப்பம் இருக்கும். அவர்களுக்கு எளிமையான முறையில் குறில், நெடில் சொற்களை வேறுபடுத்திக் கண்டறிய பயிற்சி அளித்தல் அவசியம். ஆகவே குறில் எழுத்துக்கள் வரும் சொற்களையும், நெடில் எழுத்துக்கள் வரும் சொற்களையும் கலந்த தொகுப்பு அட்டைகளை மாணவர்களிடம் கொடுத்து பயிற்சி அளிக்கப்பட்டது. அந்த சொற்தொகுப்பில் உள்ள குறில் மற்றும் நெடிலில் வரும் சொற்களைத் தனித்தனியே பிரித்து வகைப்படுத்த வேண்டும் என்று அறிவுறுத்தினோம்.
எ.கா:
1. வலை - வாழை
2. பெட்டி- பேருந்து
இதனைத் தொடர் பயிற்சியாக மேற்கொள்ளும்போது குறில்,நெடில் சொற்களில் உள்ள குழப்பம் நீங்க மாணவர்கள் தமிழ் வார்த்தைகளை படிக்க பெரும் உதவியாக இருக்கும்.
Vocational Training Unit
From Usha Rajagopal's Desk
November was a very happy month with lots of good things going on. We started with the installation of two vending machines to supply sanitary pads at Thiruthangal Nadar School, Tiruvotriyur. We also had experiential learning programs involving shopping and fine dining, trainee internship and placements.
Ms. Charu Sriram, our Coordinator, along with the Admin Manager, Mr. C.P. Manivannan, visited Thiruthangal Nadar Vidhyalaya, Tiruvotriyur. We have installed two vending machines and supplied 200 sanitary pads to begin with. We will be supplying these on a regular basis. We met the Principal and handed over the pads to the teachers. Thanks to Ms. Meera Suresh and Mr. Bhaskar Arunachalam who gave us this lead.
This week we streamlined culinary activities. Tiffin Times training for Busy Hands was initiated this week. The Tiffin Times truck will be stationed at Sreyes for the next 15 days. Trainees assigned for busy hands were very happy to work in the kitchen. Focused training on Master Chef for trainee Chandra started and she will be trained both for Tiffin Times and snacks making at the Vocational Training Center.
Trainees had a practical session on road safety and traffic rules. They were taken by the teachers to the nearby Adyar signal and with police permission and support the training was conducted. This training helps them to understand better compared to the classroom sessions.
It was a wonderful fun-filled day for all our trainees as of 30 students from AMM Matriculation School, Kotturpuram visited us to interact and have a community lunch. The school is inculcating value education to their students by giving exposure by visiting and spending time with various different special schools to give them exposure and habit of giving. Students were from 10th grade ng with 2 teachers came to VTU at 11.00 am. They were grouped into 5 groups and made to observe the vocations. They interacted with our trainees and learnt art and crafts followed by lunch brought by the school students.
Ms. Charu Sriram organised an interview for our trainee Ibrahim at Basil With A Twist, restaurant at T.Nagar, for internship followed by placement. Ms. Bhageerathy, Partner, was interested ingiving him an opportunity after discussing with her team.
Charumathi and Usha Rajagopal had a home visit one of our trainee Suprassanna’s house. . The parents were very happy about this program and discussed the routine and requested us to help them. We will be sending a home program based on their inputs and also diet chart.
We met Mr. K. Swaminathan, CEO, TEAM Water Purifier Pvt. Ltd., Vandalur to explore internship/placement opportunities. We were taken a tour of their factory for us to explore the opportunities for our trainees. We were able to identify three job skills which can be done by our trainees with regular training. . The commute to the TEAM office was raised as a concern but train facilities could be explored.
Trainees Vishal, Chandra and Mahesh were sent to YES to help in preparing items for or Tiffin Times which is to stationed at Kalakkal Café, Vidhyasagar Kotturpuram.
Trainees were taken to an art exhibition organized by Sangamam, Sarva Mangala Trust. The artists had done excellent artwork which weredisplayed at Art Houz, Nungambakkam. One of their artists explained details of each painting.
Mr. Ashish Thandani CEO, Ciclo Café, Kotturpuram, and Mr. Sultan, HR Head visited VTU. We had approached them last month for internship opportunities.
Monthly field trip to Big Bazaar Quiet Hour at Express Avenue followed by lunch at Writer’s Café, Egmore.
- Parents were asked to send a list, cash and shopping bags
- Some trainees were able to use escalators while others rode the lifts
- Trainees were grouped and allotted to teachers to teach them identify the items, walk to the billing counter and pay. Most of the trainees were able to do this task
- There were no behavioural issues. Pranav was very happy and surprised all the teachers as he walked through the food counters without touching or grabbing items. The Big Bazaar senior staff helped us and organized a painting area for our trainees. They also gifted artwork items.
- Trainees were taken to Writer’s Café for lunch. They enjoyed and relished the dishes which were pre-ordered. Trainees who had never tasted Italian and Thai food before enjoyed the food and also learnt to use a fork and spoon.
Writer's Cafe was selected as one of our trainee Ms. Anandhi, has been placed since May 2019. This will motivate her and also th alumini and is placed at Writer's Cafe for the past 10 months. It was a happy moment for all
Youth Empowerment Services
From Rama Nagarajan's Desk
November turned out to be one of the busiest month with lot of production activities and event participation.
On 07 November 2019, vocational coordinator of YES attended the India Inclusive Conclave which happened at GRT Grand Hotels in Thyagarayanagar, Chennai. This was organised by Headway foundation. Many people working in and for this disability sector came together for a good cause of social inclusion. There were many discussions, debates and very useful lectures. YES trainee Vignesh Balaji drew a lot of attention as he sang a couple of songs and got good round of applause.
On 08 November 2019, around 50 students of higher secondary grade from AMM Matriculation School visited YES. They spent 3 hours at the centre observing and understanding all the vocations. They brought in delicious lunch for the trainees and served them as well. They also had their lunch at the centre. This was a wonderful way of inclusion and spreading awareness about intellectual disability.
YES trainees Gokulakrishnan, Sidharth, Ramachandran and Hari had a great way of celebrating Children's day. On 14 November 2019 they were part of the Tiffin Times team, including the trainer Johnbosco, which participated in the same organised by Vidya Sagar at their premise. It was very nice to see the trainees engaging themselves in serving the students and staff of Vidya Sagar. They also helped the trainees of that place with involvement and enthusiasm.
On the same line, on 16 November 2019, YES trainees Balambiga, Sujai, Hari and Gokulakrishnan along with the trainers Divya Venkatesh and Yuvaraj, participated in an event organised by Rotary Club at Avvai Home to celebrate Children’s day. Around 230 people including 180 children and staff of Avvai Home were served yummy and delicious snacks.
On 17 November 2019 we had the vocational coordinator of YES representing the organisation at the India inclusive Summit 2019. Many celebrities were ready to lend their hand and support to make the society more conducive for the disabled sector and to make the social inclusion easier.
18 November 2019, we had Mukundhan, trainee from the school setup KLC staring his full time with YES. He transition was very smooth and gradual. He has now settled and his vocational training has also started.
On 24 November 2019, trainees Sidharth and Durga participated in the Patriotic run 2019 organised by August 15th Organisation at the Elliots beach, Besant Nagar, Chennai. It was Durga's debut run and it gave her a great sense of achievement when she finished it.
25 November trainee Govinda celebrated his birthday by ordering cupcakes and snacks from our kitchen and happily distributed to all his friends. He made sure to give it to each one of them personally.
On the same day reported from BBC news, Tamil did a videoshoot at YES which is to be added to the story for a series called 'I am the Change' featuring Ms. Poonam Chordia of Kocoatrait. They recorded the process of screen printing happening at YES for Kocoatrait's wrapper box.
On 29 November 2019, Tiffin Times participated at the Project day event at Vidya Sagar. YES trainees Ezhilarasan, Ramachandran and Durga participated along. They were there the whole day serving all the visitors, staff and students of Vidya Sagar.