Providing lifespan services to individuals with special needs...
Strides Newsletter - February 2021 - Issue 178
Counseling & Assessments
From Radhika Sasankh's Desk
There was change of guard at the Counselling department. Mrs.Parimal Pandit who has been successfully running the department for more than 12 years now, decided to take a break from January 2021 for personal reasons. She requested Radhika Sasankh to step in. Parimal with her vast experience continues to remain the guide and mentor to everyone at the department.
Once the units reopened after lifting of lock down, Counselling department resumed its services to the respective units. Parents, trainees and teachers are being met with periodically. Play therapies and Art therapies for the children have also resumed.
Even during the lock down, Counsellors were in touch with teachers and parents through Online sessions.
Inservice for Satellite centers at Srirangam and Erode were conducted by Counsellors which were in the form of team building exercises for the staff.
Inservice for staff of Youth Empowerment Services are also being held periodically. Group therapies for trainees at YES and VTU is being held frequently by our counsellors.
Counsellors are part of Multi-disciplinary Consultations taking place online and helping form Home Programs for the children. They have also been doing in person consultations for various units.
We did a session for the Unit Heads during the Head's meeting and Counsellors provided Vocational Guidance Lectures to Unit heads.
Corporate Desk resumed services from April 2020 with a gap of just one month during the pandemic and is currently being offered online not just to employees from Chennai but all branches across India as employees are Working from Home.
Thrice in the past few months Counsellors have been called for Emergency Counselling sessions and Group Therapy Sessions to offer Grief Therapy through the Corporate Desk. Some of these sessions were held for employees working the night shift and were held between 10 PM and 2 Am. Similarly, Group therapies were held early morning so that employees from the US could also log in.
There were several new clients for Individual Counselling, family therapy and Marital counselling these past few months. Clients are able to reach out more as option of Online Sessions are also provided.
The Live Love Laugh Foundation for whom we are partners in implementing the You Are Not Alone – YANA program for the Chennai region, requested us to conduct three Focused Group Discussions to gauge the mental wellness of adolescents, teachers of adolescents and parents of adolescents as a result of the Pandemic and lock down. These discussions were successfully conducted and reports submitted to the Foundation.
Kaleidoscope Learning Centre
From Gita Bhalla's Desk
This month we bring you the story of our main lesson - a part of a biography of Joan of Arc. For young adults with disability bringing them pictures of heroic deeds and great examples of forbearance and other such virtues creates physical archetypes for them to hold within themselves and mould them selves slowly and gradually. We at KLC strive hard to bring to life these wonderful people from history who can be role models for them. This nineteen year old girls biography was chosen by Suriya one of our senior students and for a week the students heard tales, built pictures and enacted different scenes. It's a story of courage and faith, betrayal and standing by what you believe. It touched the young students enough for them to bring out a host of beautiful poetry and also helped them to believe in themselves. A few examples of what emerged from them at the end of the week is here....
Upon the earth I am sent
To listen
To speak
To bear
Perhaps, each burns themselves to become-
A little closer to Him
A little closer to love
A little closer home
By Sreya, in deep respect for Joan of Arc
Wistful and wise
Full of surprise
Into battle she rides
Though the stakes are low
A longing I hear
To dwell in His home
Her soul gives up its own
Though on the stake she burns
O Joan little child
I humbly cry
Yet you fill me with hope
That the stake shall not burn dry
All my love,
Mansoor
Soul, golden and green
Spirit, shining clean
Sweet child and friend
Your loyalty stayed to the end
Wither shall we know
We forever glow
Love
Sai
Grand gestures
Require grander forms
You come to us again Joan
As faith and trust
And strength to walk the fire alone
For you know
You are closer to God
Golden girl we salute you
With deep reverence
Nidesh
Darkness descends and consumes
But in your heart
The fire never burnt stronger...
Child of Easter
We hold you in our midst
With our deepest admiration and love,
Caring Hearts Vidya
These moments are to be cherished in every teachers hearts as these are the times we are able to glimpse into the students truest potential. The way is only through the heart.
In another heart event in KLC, the group of children who were called sleepy hearts decided to shake off their negative mantle and don on new robes. Each group of children call them selves a special kind of heart depending on their group consciousness. So we have free hearts which is grade 7 and sacred hearts which is grade 8. This bunch of children who were called sleepy hearts woke up and demanded that their teachers do something to give them selves a new identity. So after discussion, artwork and deep introspection, sleeping over it , sleepy hearts were rechristened Caring hearts.
The teachers of KLC were in for a double treat in inservice training this month. They attended a form drawing workshop by Swen Sar , a seasoned waldorf educator and teacher trainer. In another workshop Greg another teacher mentor from Australia spoke to the teachers about emerging literacy skills and how to begin reading and writing in Grade 1. Both the sssions were extremely interesting and enriching.
Parent meetings were held with Venkat, and with Mr. Elango who came to talk of their concerns as the CLAPS program is ready to take off.
A detailed child study was done on Suriya a sacred heart. He is now at the farm training to do his work independently.
We at KLC were also very glad to be part of the cross unit training which began with YES coordinator Gayatri coming to visit and spending a whole week at KLC. She was part of the program, spent time in dialogue around with the KLC coordinators, and discussed curriculum, methodology etc. In a continuing gesture we had Karthik one of our teachers go and spend time at YES and learn how to buff coconut shells.
Kailash our students from the free hearts, one of our oldest heart in school had his Poonal ceremony and some of our teachers attended the function.
V-Excel Educational Trust
YouTube Live e-Tarang Concerts
Live e-Tarang concerts was streamed on Friday, 26th February between 7:00 and 8:00 p.m with a concert by R. P. Sharavan (Vocal), Pappu Gyanadev (Violin) and Arjun Ganesh (Mridangam)
Please visit our facebook page '/freehearts' and YouTube Channel 'vexceleducationaltrust' for concert updates.
V-Excel Remedial Center
From Lekshmi Ramesh's Desk
Remedial Unit and Bridges Learning Academy
Greetings from VRC and BLA!
We certainly hope that things are going on fine for all of you who have been a great support to us all through these years.
We at VRC successfully conducted classes for our students three days a week in the centre this month. Children were very happy to get back to the physical classroom. All the rules and regulations regarding safety against the pandemic are being followed strictly.
Academics and activities are a part of the curriculum for the primary level students. This month they learnt to make a paper bowl with old newspapers. The children enjoyed the task thoroughly. They also showed their painting skills by painting the bowls with colorful paint.
We had shared with you some strategies of using games to help children to make learning interesting, we continue with the task this month too.
Math is an integral part of our life, we all agree but, when it comes to teaching or learning Math many feel inadequate. To make Math more meaningful let us learn some games. You can change the strategy of the game to suit the need of the child.
Learning to identify the numbers pre-primary level:
• Make children understand that numbers are present everywhere around us.
• Put a number sticker on each finger and ask them to count aloud.
• Help the children to read the numbers written on the door while you take them for a walk.
• Children can be asked to read the car, bike numbers that are parked in the apartment.
• Identify the denomination on rupee notes.
• Count the number of clothes that are kept for ironing or washing and write them on a paper or board.
• Tell the numbers in the clock.
• Take a random page in a book ask them to tell the page number loudly.
• Lie down on the terrace and look at the sky, count the stars.
• Count the flowers in a plant.
• Count the birds sitting on a tree.
• Using a sand box to write the shape of the number, writing the number with fingers in the air can help them to understand the way numbers are written.
• Numbers on a telephone dial pad.
• Numbers on door keys or locks.
• Any other method you can think of.
The goal is to familiarize the numbers as much as possible. Make them understand how numbers are used in different places. Let us make children aware of the numbers, their shapes and their sequence. Make the games interesting and creative. Happy parenting!
Vocational Training Unit
From Usha Rajagopal's Desk
The month began with good news of starting internship for two trainees, who lost their job due to pandemic in the hospitality industry. They have been identified retail outlet and a packing unit and started their internship at present. We received order for Kasi Yatra Set and the trainees were busy executing the order. The month ended with our YES coordinator Gayathri who was with our trainees in observing and learning some of the vocations based on the idea of cross center training project.
New trainee Hariharan Ganesh joined VTU. He was happy to be part of the mornings sessions and loved to swing.
Saravana Prabu started his internship at SNEH – Product Hub, Room no. 303, Sharada. He will be assisting them in packing their products. He will go three days in week to begin with and will increase to 5 days in a week. Manivannan will train him on independent travelling from VTU to Sharada.
Charu and Usha attended the inauguration of V-Excel Therapy Clinic at Sharada.
Charu and Manivannan called all parents and insisted the importance of applying for UDID cards or follow up those who have not applied.
Saravana Prabu travelled independently to internship at Sharada. Tracked by both centers
Charu and Usha along with Anand and S. Prakash visited Sevalaya, an organisation providing education and shelter for orphanage at Tiruniravur. They expressed interest in takimg our sanitary napkin production machinery to cater to 1000 girls in their organisation.
Order for 200 sanitary napkins received from Tiruthangal Nadar school.
Order received from SNEH for Kasi Yatra set.
Vivikta Naturals Sridhar handed over Ohm powder for packing.
Kasi yatra set was being made jointly by the teachers and trainees.
Charu and Mani spoke to Nikil's parents to enquire his status post lockdown.
Hariharan new trainee started working in the Vivikta packing unit to begin with. He was very happy to work and grasped power is good.
Usha and Charu visited Atma Sangamam, an organisation providing hostel and other therapies for special needs. It has been started near our neighbourhood. They have recently shifted. Met the founder Lion Jacob.
Trainees were busy with Kasi Yatra set and other vocations. Kasi Yatra set ordered by SNEH was ready and packed and delivered.
Charu sent 12 trainees profile to Grundfos which includes YES trainees also.
Charu and Mani went to ADS, where Sriram is interning, to observe with out his knowledge and also took feedback from the supervisor and staff.
Based on the idea spearheaded by Gayathri, YES regarding Cross unit training, it was her schedule at VTU this week. She was at VTU participating morning sessions for 3 days and one sessions in the afternoon. She went to the farm program for a day to know the activities. She worked along with trainees in the jute pen stand stitching, paper bags and rolling, tailoring and games. On the last day of the week, trainees and teachers presented gift the jute pen stand made by them along with a greeting card signed by them.
Last saturday of the month, is earmarked for in service, the trainees are given off. Usha conducted in service for our staff. Teachers learnt block printing, tailoring and loom from each other.
Trainees were busy with all the usual routine activities of prayer, yoga, reading, music, functional academics, vocational activities and games.
Youth Empowerment Services
From Gayathri Suryanarayanan's Desk
Though February is a short month, we had many new beginnings at YES. We have started to incorporate many interesting activities as part of our daily schedule and in our training program. We have started working on improving and increasing our product range.
Key highlights of the month January 2021.
• Recruitment
• Training sessions for the trainers
• New products
• Digitisation process
• Dance Movement Therapy
• Enquiries and consultations
• Cross centre training
• Paper bag making by our trainee
• Celebrations - Birthday
• Production- SNEH, Kocoatrait
Recruitment
We had a new recruit in February. Ms. Sujanya joined YES team on 08 February 2021. The whole month was dedicated for observation and training in all the vocations. The last week of the month Sujanya started working with the trainees and is able to catch with the program. She will be incharge of Kitchen activities which includes baking, basic culinary skills, Spice space and Hospitality training.
Training sessions for the trainers
In the month of February, we had a few training sessions for the trainers.
• Training to use the Commercial cutting machine for all the staff members happened on 01 February 2021. An experienced person in the field had come and spent a couple of hours to explain the do's and don'ts and safety precautions to be followed while using the machine. All the trainers had a chance try out their hands on the machine.
• On 12 February 2021 we had a baker from the Hotel Park Hyatt come in to train us in making cookies and bread making. Cookies were purely made of millets and bread was of hi fiber variety. 4 trainers were part of this training and each step of the process was clearly documented for future reference.
• On 08 February and 22 February 2021, we had group counselling session for all the staff members. Our counsellor Ms. Jayadevi conducted these sessions. The main objective of this training is to prepare the trainers to handle and manage the behavioral issues of trainees. We also had roleplays and group discussions as part of these training sessions to make it more interactive and interesting.
New products
We have been in the process of improving on our existing products and increasing the product range in all the vocations.
• Arts & Crafts – We have started making useful crafts from coconut shells. These products are completely eco friendly and completely hand made. The samples were made ready last month and we are in the process of starting the actual production.
• Soap making – After the initial training that happened in the month of January 2021, lots of trials and finetuning happened last month. In February 2021, we perfected the art of soap making and finalized on 4 different variants and its costing. Samples were also given and the feedbacks were very encouraging. We have already started the production of these variants namely Orange zest, Neem, Honey and Nalangu maavu.
• In Printing and Documentation unit, we tried and successfully did digital printing on T-shirts. The final output came out well and process is on for designing for the same.
• In baking we tried out basic cookie making that we had learnt in the month of January.
Digitisation process
After the pilot program last year, before the pandemic, we had not progressed much with our digitization process. But after the training session we had in January 2021, we worked on the process flow for the same and gave a proper structure to this process. In the month of February, we have started training our trainees on the same and as an outcome we could successfully complete 48 files From Early Intervention unit. These files are numbered, scanned, saved and then uploaded to the shared drive.
Dance Movement Therapy
From 01 February 2021, we have started Dance Movement Therapy (DMT) at YES. A simple song with good rhythm and beats is chosen. They are taught simple steps with just hand movements, clappings and foot taps. The main objective of this therapy is to enhance their spatial awareness, body rhythm and coordination, body flexibility and fitness. This also improves their eye hand coordination, mental alertness and hand leg coordination.
Cross centre training
Efforts and initiations were taken from YES team for the cross centre training. Ms. Gayathri from YES went to KLC and VTU for observing and being a part of all their activities for a week's time. From 15 February to 19 February, she was in KLC and from 22 February till 26 February she was in VTU. This week-long observation included a visit to Sreyes farm also. This exercise helped in understanding all the vocations, schedule, training methods, trainees and the core objective of each other unit. This has also paved a way for cross centre training amongst the staff members of the organization.
Paper bag making by our trainee
It was a nice moment when in of out trainees Mithran brought about 50 paperbags that he had made at home during the days that he didn't come to the centre. To encourage his efforts and work, YES bought those bags and paid him for the same.
Enquiries and consultations
We had 3 enquiries during last month and one new admission.
Celebrations
Birthday celebrations
We have resumed our birthday celebrations at the centre. We have also started making birthday cakes along with our regular cupcakes and chocolates. We celebrated our trainee Mukund's birthday on 05 February 2021. It was a beautiful celebration with all our other trainees participating in decorating the place, arranging things and serving.
Production
For Kocoatrait, we completed an order for a collection called Madras Collection. There were totally 9 designs in this collection. Apart from Screenprinting, trainees were also involved in folding, pasting and making those chocolate boxes.
For SNEH coconut shell polishing, screen printing and a lot of packing work happened at YES for many bulk orders.
Laundry services continued as usual in the month of January.
Kitchen garden is also shaping out well and has already started yielding vegetables.