Strides Newsletter - December 2022 - Issue 198
- Early Intervention and V-Excel Remedial Center
- Kaleidoscope Learning Center
- V-Excel Educational Trust
- Satellite Centers
- Vocational Training Unit
- Youth Empowerment Services
Counseling & Assessments
From Radhika Sasankh's Desk
....
Early Intervention and V-Excel Remedial Centre
From the staff of Early Intervention and V-Excel Remedial Centre
Greetings from Early Intervention and the Remedial Unit!
December 3rd is celebrated as the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD). The day is about promoting the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities at every level of society and development, and to raise awareness of the situation of persons with disabilities in all aspects of political, social, economic, and cultural life. It also reinforces the importance of securing the rights of people with disabilities, so they can participate fully, equally and effectively in society with others, and face no barriers in all aspects of their lives.
Every year, V-Excel organizes events and activities on this day. This year it was The December Festival – a day long interactive space for sharing creativity, ability, beauty, food, fun and frolic conducted in our Mandaveli Center. Early Intervention and V-Excel Remedial Center also joined hands for this. We organized games that aimed at therapeutic aspects. This was also to showcase the therapy that we do in our center incorporating these kinds of activities.
All these games were well received and played by visitors of all ages. We had to extend the time as they were very eager to try all the games. Planning to add more and more games and have programs open to public.
Christmas celebrations
This year, Christmas was celebrated in EI/ VRC with lot of fun, dance, music, singing and gifts from their Secret Santa. Santa’s entry brought cheer to the whole group. This was followed by distribution of gifts and dance by the children.
Sending the glimpses of our celebrations.
Year 2022 has been a year of new hopes and promising outcomes that led to a feeling of normalcy. Praying that 2023 brings more opportunities and happiness to all. Happy New Year from all of us at EI/VRC.
Kaleidoscope Learning Centre
From Shashikala Subramaniam's Desk
The event:
December 3rd is International Day for Persons with Disability. Every year this event is marked with an offering from V-Excel, as activities of inclusion, advocacy, awareness. This year, on the request of our students who could communicate, it was decided to provide a forum where our students could interact and meet the outside world in a place of openness and no boundaries. Towards this goal, a December Festival was organised in Sharda, the V-Excel premises. The community was invited, and a number of guests, friends, family and neighborhood visited the festival, watched the students at work, shared fun games and food with them, understood the communication styles different from theirs but powerful all the same.
An off shoot of this idea was that all units of V-Excel came together under one roof for this festival, also something that we keep finding opportunities for. This was one such event which was a common V-Excel event and was spearheaded by KLC - the special school.
We now look forward to it as an annual event which we could work towards every year.
The process
This day, on Saturday the 3 of December, saw the whole of the V-Excel Educational Trust building Sharada, transformed into a cafe, a games arena and a bazaar. This festival, since it happened in the month of December rang in the Christmas spirit and the entire bazar floor was converted into the streets of Bethlehem. There was a temple area where in the works of our students was displayed in the form of paintings, diaries with their quotes, a calendar with artwork and quotes by students and a book written by a student with autism titled The Illiterate Musings of a Philosopher. There were products sold by the four units of V-Excel in Chennai. Printed mugs, mobiles, woven mats, Christmas decorations, bags, containers, fabric baskets, dohars, cushion covers, candles, handmade soap and podis, fresh farm products, bamboo planters and coconut shell hanging lamps, were amongst some of the products sold. Sensory friendly games, small contests and a sleigh ride was organised on the first floor which was converted into Santa's village in the North Pole. The cafe with delicious snacks and drinks like fruit punch and soup were being sold in a simulated cafe on the ground floor. Music and merriment prevailed.
What stood out was, the community who stopped by to meet and experience our students, who didn't simply come to shop or eat or play but actually spent time talking to teachers, interacting and watching some of our students create. A true meeting ground for two worlds to meet. That was truly what set this day aside.
Other news
Karthigai - the festival of lamps, was celebrated in the classes. Students sang sitting around the kolam with the lamps and each student lit a candle diya made by the vocational students. It brought an aura of reverence, calm and peace into the classroom.
Christmas Season in KLC is a unique experience for everyone – there is Joy, Carol singing, the central main Christmas Tree in the building, smaller trees in each of the classes put up together by the children and teachers, Secret Santa game being played by the staff, wonder in the eyes of the children when they see Santa and Christmas gifts brought in by him, visits to nearby places of interest, and of course the Open Day for the parents.
Christmas Tree in the foyer of the building was set up and decorated by every student in KLC along with the teachers and staff of Sharada.
Blue Blue Sky Choir
Members of The Duchess Club visited us on December 17th Saturday, and we presented a short play of the birth of Jesus Christ with the students and teachers and Blue Blue Sky Choir performed for them.
Open Day
Open Day is an occasion, usually in the second term of school, when the parents come to see their children work in class. In Senior School, this year, Open Day on December 19th was a little different as the parents saw their children perform a full-fledged 12 scene play on "Sir Parsifal" a Knight in King Arthur's court, which they had been learning about. Simple props and costumes and deeper understanding of the story by the students had them playing the various characters in the play along with their teachers. Another group of students danced for a Greek Music and displayed their work on Greek History as an exhibition where their hand work, drawings, were displayed.
For Open Day on 22nd December, Junior School students and teachers performed 4 short plays based on the Christmas spirit, for the parents. Many of the students in junior school were new and it was an experience for their parents to watch their children hold themselves beautifully under the help of the teachers and enact the play. The senior school students and teachers were part of the audience and enjoyed the plays.
Our senior school students in 2 batches, on two different days, set out on foot all the way to Ramakrishna Mutt on R K Mutt Road, prayed in the meditation hall, and had food offered to them from the Mutt and one group took the public bus back to school while the other group opted to walk back to school.
Christmas without Santa Claus's visit to the school, is incomplete and so on the last day of the term we had Kailash, one of our senior students who is the epitome of Santa – loving, caring and giving, dressed as Santa. He visited all the classes, delivered the Christmas presents, sat with the students, listened to the songs and bid them a fond farewell. His appearance in the class always brings wonder and joy to the children.
We had to bid farewell to 2 of our teachers this term as they had to take up personal responsibilities and so could not continue being with the students. Indumathi and Mallika were given a warm sendoff by the children and teachers of the school. No one can predict where our destiny will take us in our life's journey – we meet, we travel together and then go our separate ways. But, possibly in future we could meet again to continue our journey with these children. :)
December term holidays were short. But KLC offered a December Camp for students whose parents wanted to send them, from 26th to 30th December. Under Karthick's leadership – teachers Priya, Avila and Priyanka worked with 6 students with a planned timetable involving exercises, handwork, painting, cooking, shopping for ingredients, games and to involve the students with a purpose.
The December Festival
The Festival of Lamps
Christmas Celebrations
Blue Blue Sky Choir
KLC Open Day
A Visit to Ramakrishna Mutt
Santa Claus’s visit
farewell to 2 of our teachers
December Camp for students
V-Excel Educational Trust
Greetings from V-Excel Educational Trust!
We wish you a happy new year 2023.
Tarang musical fundraising event
Tarang musical fundraising event held on Friday, 2nd December, 2022 YouTube Online between 6.30 p.m. - 8.30 p.m. PST and Saturday, 3nd December, 2022 YouTube Online between 8.00 p.m. - 10.00 p.m. IST
V-Excel Educational Trust presents Rangoli performances by popular Indian Singers Sai Vignesh, Kaushik Sridharan, Dhanya Sri, and Madhumitha R. (Vocals), Vigneshwar on Keyboard, Martin on Tabla, and Pavithran on Percussion.
This was an another great event to commemorate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Thanks to V-Excel Teacher and Tarang coordinator Ms. Usha Suresh to get us these special programs to support our special individuals.
The December Festival
On 03-December-2022, there were much celebrations at V-Excel on Dec .3rd- occassion of International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Trainees and teachers put in a lot of hardwork to plan the event, create products, and ensure the day was meaningful and all visiting got to interact with our children and understand their needs.
We witnessed the historic Bethlehem and the magic of Santa's North Pole under the same roof.
Indeed this was a memorable day for all stakeholders. There was joy, love, fun and games, emotions, music, chatter and a lot of positivity all around.
V-Excel is very grateful to all who attended, supported and spent time with our special people on this very special day.
Christmas celebrations
This year, Christmas was celebrated in EI/VRC with lot of fun, dance, music, singing and gifts from their Secret Santa. Santa's entry brought cheers to the whole group. This was followed by distribution of gifts and dance by the children.
At YES it was a 3 day celebrations. Celebrations started with a story telling session by Mr. Balakrishnan of Theatre Nisha and keyboard performance by Prajval. On Thursday there was a talent show for the trainees. Singing, dancing, solving puzzles, mimicry, painting, craftmaking, playing instruments like keyboard and mridangam are a few things they showed their talent on. They were presented with trophies and gifts for their enthusiastic participation.
On Friday, there were fun games and activities followed by Santa's entry with loads of gifts for all the trainees and the staff members. Celebrations concluded with all dancing to peppy tunes.
Sending the glimpses of our celebrations.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 🎈🎈🎈🎈
Satellite Centers
From Jayanthi Vishwanath in Nashik
On December 3rd, the International Day for the disabled was celebrated. Our students and teachers participated in a rally organized by the social welfare department of Nashik District. Our BLA students presented a dance performance in front of a large audience of students, Government officials and General public.
On Dec 10th, Annual Sports Day was celebrated at the Ashoka Universal School's sports ground. The event was inaugurated by Mrs. Astha Katariya, Director of the Ashoka Group of Institutions. All the students participated in the various events and won several medals. The members of the school committee, parents and well-wishers of our Institution attended the program in large numbers. It was a very well-organized and successful event.
On 23rd December, Christmas was celebrated in all the 3 Centres. The children excitedly danced to peppy numbers like Jingle bells and Santa Claus walked around the place and distributed goodies to them.
On 30th December, our students participated in the Nashik District Inter-school Sports competitions. In total, 27 schools participated in the games. Our students won 20 medals. They won 12 Gold medals in all. All the 12 Gold medallists will be participating in the State level Special Olympics, which would be held in Pune in January 2023.
This was a wonderful way to end the year...
Erode
Greetings from all of us at the Erode Center!
World Disability Day
We got an opportunity to showcase the talents of our students in a public event on 3rd December, 2022. The District Differently Abled Welfare Office (DDAWO) conducted an event on the World Disability Day at Nandha College of Physiotherapy, Perunthurai. We were invited to participate in the cultural programs. We prepared our students for it and practice sessions were done. Our students did a wonderful show making us proud and this also served as a platform to understand them more. We received certificates, gifts, trophies and medals. We also conducted competitions in our center for which small tokens were given. The students and the staff made this day a memorable one.
A new kid's swing and a toy for us.
The gestures by the parents of our students made us feel very special and happy. On the occasion of the birthday of our dear Gurushravan, his father donated a kid's swing and a sound and light toy to our center. A thank you note was handed over and we feel really blessed to be having such support from parents.
Jingle bells in our center
We, as a part of V-Excel, always take efforts to celebrate festivals in our center to the best of our ability and so were the plans for this Christmas celebration on 23rd December. Stories based on Christmas were narrated. One of our special educators dressed herself as Santa Claus and her entry made the whole place fill with laughter and fun. Gifts and sweets were distributed and sending you the photos that will explain more about it.
We take this opportunity to thank each and every member of the V-Excel team for their support and love showered on us and wishing you all a very happy and prosperous New Year!
Solapur
On 1st December, we organised Sports Day at our center. Children participated in 50 meter, 100 meter running, lemon and spoon, hitting bottle, throwing ball into bucket and many more competitions and won medals.
On 3rd and 4th December Sakav Foundation organized an exhibition "Utsav Danacha" for awareness and helping different NGOs which are working for different cause for society. 10 NGOs participated in the exhibition and more than 1000 people visited to our stall. Padmashri Girish Prabhune inaugurated the exhibition
On 10th December, we were invited by Shanti English Medium School -Jule Solapur to spread the awareness of Autism. Mrs. Sunita Vaidya, Dr. Radhika Honap and Dr. Ashwini Andhare took the stage and explained about the different disabilities and how to deal with it - mainly focused on Autism, ADHD and LD which the teachers deal with. We specially thank Mrs. Rujala Mac Madam principal of Shanti English Medium School to give us this opportunity.
On 13th December, On the occasion of International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) we at V-Excel Center Solapur organised "Young Athletes Program". Mr. Prashant Pawar sir - Sports teacher Jivhala school and Special Olympic International Coach guided and gave training to our teachers and parents. Dr. Asmita Balgaonkar- President of Jivhala Society was the chief guest for the program. She appreciated the parents for their early acceptance of the child and guided them to train their child for sports.
Sunita Vaidya, the Center Coordinator of V-Excel introduced, felicitated guests and told the importance of play in child development. Kids participated in jumping on numbers, passing hurdles, throwing ball through a ring and enjoyed all the games.
On 14th December the Principle and 12 teachers of Shanti English Medium School visited our center. They observed classrooms, individual sessions, therapy sessions. Sunita Vaidya explained to them about our services, our work pattern and about special education. Dr. Ashwini Andhare informed them about how to deal with autistic children who they have in their school.
We had Christmas celebration on 23 December 2023. All children and teachers came dressed in red. Teachers took many art and craft activities and told students about Christmas. Children decorated the tree, wore caps and masks, sang songs, danced, cut the cake and enjoyed Christmas celebration.
Abhyasa Kendra, Srirangam
World Disability Day
It is heartening to see more and more initiatives supporting the Special Needs individuals being done. We decided to make this World Disability Day a joyful one by taking our trainees to a nearby Butterfly Park. This park is a butterfly conservatory located in Srirangam Town and is considered as one of the biggest butterfly parks in Asia. All our trainees and the Remedial students were taken for this trip. Some of the parents accompanied us. The park has a garden, fountain, artificial ponds, suspended bridges, butterfly houses and many play areas. We went in the morning and came back by four in the evening. Everyone including the parents and the students enjoyed it. This was also a feeling of assurance that slowly we are moving towards inclusion for our children and adults where they are able to enjoy life.
All about our Spice Powders
Spice mix and powders have always been an integral part of every Indian cooking. In South India, Sambar powder is considered to be the king of all spice mixes and is used in many dishes. Sambhar, a broth made of veggies, boiled lentils and flavoured with tamarind puree and sambhar powder is served with almost every South Indian dish, be it rice, dosa, idli or vada.
Each state in the South cooks it in its own unique way, tailored to the local palate and surroundings. Similarly, each family has their own unique version of this homemade spice-sambhar powder, with components adjusted to their chosen amount of spiciness. The availability of ready-to-use sambhar powder has made sambhar cooking easier and faster in recent years.
Srirangam, a neighbourhood city of Tiruchirappalli is a river island bounded by the two rivers of Cauvery and Kollidam and is where Sri Ranganathaswamy temple is situated. This city is also famous for cast iron and brass cookware and spice mixes. Our center in Srirangam is already involved in making spice mixes like rasam powder, koottu powder that was well accepted by the customers. We wanted to try making Sambhar powder involving the trainees of the center. As every sambhar powder has some secret ingredients that is transferred from one generation to another, one of our trainee’s mother was kind enough to share her recipe. We made a trial of sambhar powder using the hand grinder. This was tested and approved by few friends and staff. We then decided to add this to our production list. The process was clearly demonstrated and taught to the trainees. We are very happy to inform that our Sambhar powder is being supplied to Sankara Madam and also sent to our Head Office regularly. We are able to make around 30 kgs of Sambar powder and 30 kgs of Rasam powder a month. The trainees are fruitfully engaged and are very happy to do this.
We are grateful to all our supporters and well-wishers who have been with us in our journey.Wishing each and every member of the V-Excel family a very happy and prosperous New Year!!!
From Outreach Remedial Center, Pollachi
Sensory Integration Training Programme
Sensory Integration training programme was conducted at Outreach Learning Center for Exceptional Children, Pollachi on December 17, 2022, by V-Excel, Educational Trust, Chennai. A training session for Outreach Learning Center staff (3) Outreach school adaptation staff (3) and Outreach Remedial Center staff (1) was addressed by Mrs. Lavanya Ashok, Special educator and Mr. Mujber Rahman, Sr.Physiotherapist, Early Intervention Center, V-Excel Educational Trust, Chennai, under the guidance of Prof. Anand Jagadeesan, Rehabilitation Specialist, V-Excel Educational Trust, Chennai. The training session started with assessments of 10 students (6 Remedial and 4 Special School) for sensory issues. Then, the trainers shared valuable information to the staffs about sensory integration, hands on training session for staffs like how to use the sensory equipment's and screening tools for children with special needs. The training session ended with an interactive session with the staff about how to deal with special needs parents.
From Anandam Learning Center, Ambattur
Greetings from Anandam Learning Center!
On December 7th, beautiful large kolam and decorated lamps were arranged in the multipurpose Hall for the Karthigai deepam celebration. The program started with children singing bhajans and all the trustees, teacher's children and parents lighted the colourful lamps which were painted by our children. Dec 16 Bharathi yar day celebration took place with a ramp walk of ASD children dressed as Bharathi yar and supported by the higher-class children to walk on the ramp children also performed a dance number for Bharathiyar song.
On December 10th, half yearly assessment started for all the children.
On December 13th, 14th, and 15th, 10 children visited ICH Egmore for full medical checkup and for Disability ID card.
On December 14th, Margazhi Kalai Visha started in the multipurpose hall on 14 th Dec to be continued till 22 nd Jan 2023. As a part of music therapy our students attended one hour session daily, either morning or evening.
On December 16th, NIOS students had the opportunity to prepare vegetable salad and pani poori. They prepared all the ingredients along with the teachers and served to everyone in the class.
On December 17th, 6 of our children got the golden opportunity to fly first time to Coimbatore. They were received by the commissioner and the collector of Coimbatore at the airport and they enjoyed the whole day by visiting many places. This program was organised by raindrop event management and Sathya Bama University.
On December 19th, Principle and coordinator visited Arunodhayam home for mentally challenged girls.
On December 22th, Parents meeting was conducted and holiday worksheets were given to the students and the parents were asked to keep the children engaged during the holidays.
On December 23rd, parents meeting was conducted for NIOS students to brief about their exams and the curriculum that we are following.
On December 24th, half yearly session was closed with the Christmas celebration. During the holidays NIOS children were asked to complete their Tutor marked assignment for all the subject. All the teachers were helping each one of them to complete the assignment one after another.
We successfully Completed two terms of our school in session on June 30 2020. We signing off for this year 2021 - 2022. Hopeful to meet you in New Year 2023.
Vocational Training Unit
From Charumathi Sriram's Desk
Last month of the year was fabulous - one to begin with was a Corporate and Industrial visit to Grundfos Pumps Ltd., The December Festival – World Disability Day, Internship of two trainees at Grundfos, visit by Chettinad School 12th grade students and finally with New Year Celebration by Grand Ramp Walk at our premises.
Industrial/Corporate Visit To Grundfos On 1st December 2022
Our long time wish for our trainees to experience the environment of a corporate/Industrial set up came true his month. We approached our CSR partner Grundfos in this regard since two of our trainees were interning in their scanning department. Trainees were oriented about the visit and about the company for a week.
Selected 8 trainees who could relate to this along with 7 staff from VTU, 10 trainees and 5 staff from YES visited Grundfos on Thursday, 1st Dec 2022. There was a grand welcome by the management, HR and Denmark team. CSR Head, Ms. Apoorva introduced her team and our trainees introduced themselves without any inhibition.
Mr. Ramesh, Safety Head gave us all a demo with regard to the factory safety aspects and gave us safety jackets before taking us on a tour inside the factory.
Mr. George Rajkumar met us in the factory area. They showed the assisted work space setup for facilitating work for persons with special needs. Swabodhini trainees placed through Ability Foundation were introduced. Mr. GRK interacted with all trainees. Delicious vegetarian lunch was served and a wonderful gift hamper was given to each and every one of us. A warm send off by the full team made the visit fulfilling.
Meanwhile at the center, other trainees and staff were busy preparing for the December Festival to be held on 3rd December 2022 at Sharada on the occasion of World Disability Day 2022.
Online Fund Raising Tarang and The December Destival - World Disability Day on Saturday, 3rd December 2022 @ V-Excel Educational Trust, RA Puram, Chennai
Tarang was online as a fund-raising event and therewas a telecast at morning 8.00 a.m. for the international audience. Super Singer Sai Vignesh and his team rendered songs in all languages. Our trainees watched from home and also few from the center who were simultaneously working for The December Fest.
On the commemoration of International Disability Day, KLC along with all units organised The December Fest. WE had food stall by VTU, product sale by all units at 3rd floor and EI had challenging therapy related games.
VTU prepared Lime juice, fruit punch, bajji, banana flower vada, beach sundal and soup. Lunch menu was prepared by few parents. All the trainees and staff were involved. On the day of the event, 5 trainees served at the stall. All the food was sold in no time, and everyone relished and appreciated them.
Supraja and Chandra started internship at Grundfos. They attend half day from Monday to Fridays and Abirami our trainer is the job coach currently.
New trainee Sriram Kannan joined and he will be under observation for a period of 1 month.
Visit By 12th Grade Psychology Students Of Chettinad Vidhyashram
Group of Psychology Students of 12th grade from Chettinad Vidhyashram came to VTU unit to do case study as part of their CBSE curriculum. They interacted with Coordinator, staff and Director and also with trainees.
Due to heavy rain and Mandus cyclone this month absenteeism was high at times.
Vocational activities went on as usual with block printing of bedspreads for Sreyes Griha. Varun had started printing independently by month end.
New Year Celebration – Ramp Walk On Friday And Overnight Stay @ Sreyes Griha On 30th & 31st, December 2022
To bring this year to a happy closure we planned to have some fun and frolic with a Ramp Walk with traditional attire followed by overnight stay at Sreyes Griha for our trainees and staff on Friday, 30th December. Each trainee was selected and assigned tradition attire starting with farmer, partywear, Bengali, Tamil Nadu, North Indian, Qawalli, Nine yards and Panjakacham, Telugu partywear, Malayalam, Coorg, Politicians, Goa and Hero. Along with trainees the teachers, staff, Managers, and support staff participated in the ramp walk.
Trainees were given practice on ramp walk. Few trainees were absent and did NOT get any practice. But inspite of that it was amazing to see them walk with confidence and along with the rhythm. This type of celebration was full of fun and could see how trainees could adapt in any situation and during practice, in absence of their peer trainee if anyone was replaced, they could enact according to the traditional attire and rhythm.
Each and everyone did their best and it was a fun filled event. We had volunteers from DServe and TQI and they really were amazing to help us for the full day event. Parents and few guests were invited and around 50 were present.
After the event six trainees and all the staff left to continue the party and sleepover at Sreyes Griha (Group home by ESVI Sarada Foundation). DServe volunteers Arujun team conducted various games and dance, after which we had prayer, dinner and had a good night sleep. Trainees were very happy being together and for three of them it was their first experience to stay away from home. It was nice to see them chatting in the balcony along with peers and especially Trainee Ashwin, who usually sleeps at 7.00 p.m was awake till 9.00 p.m. When asked him to go and sleep he refused and said he wanted to be with his friends.
Saturday morning, we had lovely beach walk and all played in the water without any fear. Teachers and co-workers were holding him and surprised to see trainee Lokesh and Chandra went little deep in to the sea. We all walked back and after shower and breakfast left for their home.
We would like to thank Mr. Rajagopal, Trustee and Ms. Usha Rajagopal, Managing Trustee, ESVI Sarada Foundation for giving us the accommodation at Sreyes Griha and arranging delicious snacks, dinner and breakfast which is still lingering in our mouth. Special thanks to our therapist Vasanth who made a beautiful huge New Year standy, all volunteers from Dserve and Talent Quest of India, Ms. Rukmini, who did amazing makeup for everyone, parents and guests for cheering and specially to our teachers, staff and Rishi and team for making this a beautiful fun-loving program for all our trainees.
Counsellor Jayadevi had sessions with trainees and teachers.
Vasanth therapist had sessions for the trainees and Uma with functional academics.
Youth Empowerment Services
From Gayathri Suryanarayanan's Desk
Key highlights for the month of December 2022
• Vocational training program, Counselling and Therapy services.
• Field trip to Grundfos, Chennai
• Promotional activity in AIR
• Visit by Hexaware DE&I team
• Participation in the December carnival
• Placement and employer visit
• Team lunch
• Celebrations
o Christmas
o New year
• Production
Vocational training program, Counselling and Therapy services
December being the last month of the year was dedicated to trainee observation, sharing inputs with parents, reviews with the trainers, informal assessment of trainees and focused training on social skills. Regular skill development training was also happening as per schedule.
Counselling sessions focused mainly on social skills, behavior challenges and anger management. Parents counselling were also happening based on the needs.
Therapy sessions focused on focus and concentration and movements.
Review meeting happened for the archery training. Archery trainer Mr. Balakrishnan shared his inputs and feedback about each trainee and the way forward was also planned.
Farm visits were happening regularly.
Field trip to Grundfos, Chennai
On 01 December 2022, 9 trainees and 4 staff members from YES went on an experiential field trip to Grundfos Chennai campus. The YES team joined trainees from other vocational training unit from Adyar. At Grundfos campus, we were received by their team and we had a brief introduction session at their conference hall. Post that, all of us were provided with safety gears before we could take a tour around the workshop. After the workshop tour, all were treated with delicious lunch at their café. Trainees were delighted to receive lovely gifts from the Grundfos team as we prepared to leave.
Promotional activity – AIR jingles and live talk show
As part of the ongoing promotional activities, Ms. Gayathri Suryanarayanan from YES and Ms. Lekshmi Ramesh from EI/VRC participated in the talk show on All India Radio on 01 December 2022. This is a weekly program called ‘Sigaram Thoduvom’ and it focusses on social causes and empowerment of people. An advertisement jingle was made by Ms. Gayathri Suryanarayanan and our trustee Mr. Radhakrishnan which was aired on the previous day of the program. During the program the RJ asked questions regarding V-Excel and its services, about special education, social inclusion and the participants replied to them. The contact details of the organisation were also shared.
Visit by Hexaware DE&I global leader
On 02 December, Ms. Gwen, Globar leader DE&I Hexaware along with Mr. Logabiraman and Ms. Shreya CSR coordinators Hexaware visited YES center. The objective of the visit was to have a clear understanding about the vocational skill development program and placement process. Ms. Gwen took a tour around the center and visited each vocation before addressing all the trainees. She and her team were presented with gift hampers with products made in house and they left extremely happy and impressed.
Participation in December Carnival at Sharada
The YES team participated in the December Carnival in Sharada. This Carnival was organised to mark the International Disability Day which is 03 December. YES, had their products and all the staff were present in their respective stalls. All the products got good feedback and YES made a revenue of about ₹15,000 from the carnival.
Placement activity and employer visits
As a follow up to the placements of our trainees, visits and coordination with the employer team happened in the month of December. All the trainees who got placed got their offer letter and their first month salaries. Employer visits are a very critical part of the placement process, particularly during the first few months after the placement. Ms. Gayathri Suryanarayanan visited all the places where our trainees were placed and interacted with the HR team, trainee and even the coworkers.
Team Lunch
Team lunch is a year-end ritual for YES team. This year the team went for the year end lunch on 17 December 2022. Apart from the sumptuous lunch, team also discussed on the happenings of the year 2022, progress and areas that need focus. It was a very informal yet very purposeful get-together.
Celebrations
Christmas
At YES it was a 3-day celebration. Celebrations started on Wednesday, 21 December, with a story telling session by Mr. Balakrishnan of Theatre Nisha and keyboard performance by Prajval. On Thursday, 22 December, there was a talent show for the trainees. Singing, dancing, solving puzzles, mimicry, painting, craft making, playing instruments like keyboard and mridangam are a few things they showed their talent on. They were presented with trophies and gifts for their enthusiastic participation.
On Friday, 23 December, there were fun games and activities followed by Santa's entry with loads of gifts for all the trainees and the staff members. Celebrations concluded with all dancing to peppy tunes.
New Year
On 30th December, we welcomed the new year 2023 by having dance performances and dancing. As the year 2023 is announced as international year of Millets, we had a group session on millets and its health benefits. Millet laddoos were also distributed to all.
Production
Laundry services have been progressing quite well and we are getting good feedback from our customers.
We have completed orders on digital printing on soaps, Idli, melagai podi, Rice upma mix and Kanji maavu.
Wishing you all a very Happy and Prosperous New Year 2023.