ABOUT US
Children with disabilities (CWD) are one of the most vulnerable and under-represented groups of children in India. They still have limited opportunities compared to their peers without disabilities. Such children with disabilities need individual care and special training.
Bhadrachalam Agency Rural Development, Rehabilitation and Educational Society For Handicapped (BRESH) was started in 1992 with 5 children and registered in 1995 with 25 children. It started getting support under the School Project from Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme of Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Central Government of India, New Delhi.
BRESH envisages a Social Society that works for the Emancipation and Empowerment of Differently Challenged Children on Initiatives linked to their Activities Of Daily Living (ADL), Education, Therapy, Vocational Skills, Economic and Social Reintegration. BRESH is non-profit organisation (registered in 1995 under Societies of Registration Act XXI of 1860).Since 2013 there was a paradigm shift in management with new coherent group. Also all the contributions/donations are exempted under Income Tax Act(Section 80G). Today BRESH provides free education from 1 to 10 classes under state government recognition, diet, clothing and accommodation. Above all, it extends parental care besides health and medical support so that they lead quality and holistic life.
- one block with cement roof that provides space for administration and few classes
- one tile-roofed structure for classes
- two tile-roofed structures for study cum stay for girls
- one asbestos roofed structure for dining, study and stay
- one cement roofed building on rent for boys hostel
- We are constantly working on improving our infrastructure to better serve the kids
- DDRS (Deendayal Rehabilitation Scheme) under Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Central Government of India contributes lion’s share of finance in running the institution. Other uncertain sources include one -time sponsorships and donations from local individuals, businesspersons and other institutions.
- The current loan stands at 25 Lakhs and it is to be cleared soon. The outstanding is because of the deficit arising out of cuts in sanctions by the government every year. And, as such there is no substitute to lead the organisation at least on the current lines. The alternative is to immediately search for donor agencies to recoup the gaps (present deficit per month is approximately 1 to 1.5 Lakhs).
- The team is working out plans first to meet the monthly deficits. Distribution of Donation Forms, Continuous Requests to the Known Persons – Families, Friends, Near and Dear – and requests to the local persons and outsiders like Lions Club, Rotary Club etc are in the pipeline.
- Developing a Website with the help of known people in IT so that all can have a look at the works done so far and the planned works and some might contribute their mite for the running of the school.
MEDIUM TERM PLAN:
Education: For giving quality education and to leave no stone unturned, the team is quite enthusiastic to Adapt to modern methods of Education and have Audio Visual rooms with projectors integrated with group hearing systems for all the classes as the deaf and dumb students can see the visuals on the large screens and grasp the concepts faster than the primitive methods of teaching. Currently the school has a speech trainer to improve speech of the students concerned.
Rehabilitation Programmes: Community based rehabilitation services to children with neurological and developmental disabilities will be taken up independently or in association with other players in the area of operation.
A full-fledged rehabilitation team will be set up that includes Physical Therapist (mobility, walking, wheel chair skills, co-ordinations and balance), Occupational Therapist (activities of daily living, self-care, bathing, grooming, dressing etc.), Speech / Language Therapist (communication, speaking, Reading, Writing and swallowing), School Re-entry Counsellor (importance of education, problem solving, future dreams etc.), Community Reintegration Instructor(Play, Leisure skills, etc.), Nurse, Certified teacher and other supporting staff. . Summer camps are the other programmes in the offing.
Vocational Training: Phenyl making, Candle making, Chalks making, Tailoring etc. will be revisited to create self-employment for the students and also for income generation of the organisation.
Government departments concerned like ITDA will be met for their help in marketing of the products in the division and in the district. A detailed study will be taken up to find out the feasibility of these projects.
Technical knowhow: Modern technologies in education and development, and equipment / software related are to be procured in order to take scientific approach to management of the institution. Update operational / administrative process and procedure for ease of compliance and reporting and to ensure we end up with a favourable bang for the buck from the NGO perspective .
Health, Medical and Insurance: Establish a clinic in the institution with minimum facilities and extend the operations to nearby beneficiaries also. Consult insurance authorities and opt for a suitable policy to bring the children under its umbrella. Negotiate with Government hospital and other private clinics for their cooperation in time of exigencies.
Workshop: Strategic workshops and sensitization programmes on women and child, nutrition, street children, social stigma, environment, pollution and other related issues will be worked out in order to improve and cement awareness among the targeted groups. Tie up with organizations working in interior parts could be thought of for effective reach.
Capacity Building: Capacity building refers to the activities that improve and enhance the institution’s ability to achieve its mission and sustain itself over time.
The present teaching staff will augment its skills in inclusive methodologies. Training institutes like Uma Educational Centre at Kakinada, Upkar and Sweekar Rehabilitation Centre in Secunderabad and National Institute for Mentally Retarded and Handicapped at Secunderabad, UNICEF and Rajiv Gandhi Education Program of Central Government will be visited accordingly. The non- teaching staff is advised to update its skills in technology so that the tasks would be met more efficiently. Internet and other communication tools will be brought in besides adopting other latest models in meeting the changing demands.
Advocacy, Policy and Lobbying: A draft will be brought out as it is very sensitive in its nature. But it will go along with other activities like workshops and other programmes for the time being.
Mass Communications: A communication wing is imperative so that it works with different public departments besides the families of the children. It will also probe into the activities like participation in government programmes, placement of students after completion of primary and secondary education and, getting them admitted in colleges in case the students want to pursue higher studies.
In order to meet the present demands of older persons, it is planned to start a day care centre for the old. It is an extended and diversified activity.
Concrete Structures: The present tile roofed rooms and other asbestos roofed structures are in dilapidated condition and need replacement with concrete structures. A plan is prepared and it will be submitted to the Government and other private agencies for their perusal. It will be taken up with corporate as they could fund fully / partially /directly or through its associates.
Vehicle: The organisation requires a Four Wheeler and a Two Wheeler to carry out its operations in time. The former is important in reaching various places in and around Bhadrachalam to identify the children with disabilities for enrolment, to attend health and medical demands of the children and many other works related to the children in the school besides to carry outreach programs. The latter is needed in completing the day to day administrative works.
A mini bus is to be procured for transportation of the day students. Recently the team identified 58 students in a radius of fifty kilometres and the parents are willing to send them to the school if the management provides transportation to and fro. These students are deprived of the benefits just because of parental resistance.
LONG TERM PLAN:
Corpus Fund: Plan to develop resources from various stakeholders – local, national and international – by requesting them to enhance their sense of responsibility towards the society. A fund needs to be raised for the security of the institution in future.
The plan needs additional financial resources for its implementation and it is an added challenge to the organisation.
Support
Support is sought from the corporate, its associates and individuals at their respective capacities.
Conclusion
The team strives to make the school “INCLUSIVE” in a real sense of its term. It indeed needs great support from all corners of the society. The change that is brought in no time is tangible and the locals are watching the progress from all directions. It is strongly felt from the body language and other movements of the beneficiaries that they are extremely happy with the changes but unfortunately many could not ventilate due to the disability.