Vishwas... Centre for Mentally Retarded Children.... Creating Confidence...

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                      Ones, one of my neighbour aunt give birth to boy child. Everyone was very happy. But after some years we come to know that, the boy is mentally retarded. He is slow Lerner or in normal term Abnormal. Then suddenly, the attitude of looking at that boy of his relatives changed. They started hating him and treat very badly. That aunty was also gets frustrated. Than that aunt took him in slow learner’s school and after that, boy become confident enough to survive with the help of his mother.

Stars: Students of 'Vishwas Center' Presenting Drama in annual function

               We saw many cases like this around us. Many people treat Mentally Retarded or slow learner  children as ‘fools’. But it’s very cruel thing. They are also like normal people only. They just mentally grow slowly. In this case we should help them & shouldn’t tease. There is less awareness about these children and their problems. Many Institutes and organisations work for these children’s.  One of them is Vishwas Charitable Trust, Thane.


Students of 'Vishwas Center'

               Vishwas Charitable Trust has been running Vishwas Centre since 1990 for the mentally retarded children in Thane. “There is no cure for mental retardation. But if neglected it creates a number of problems to the children and their families.” Vishwas Charitable Trust, keeping this in mind, started a centre where these children could be trained to make them self-sufficient. At present there are 22 children in the age group of 18-43 years. To train these children they have 3 teachers who are doing this noble job. Late Mrs. Ashwini Sule and Mr. Arvind Sule are the founder of this centre. Mrs. Meena Kshirsagar is the Principle of this school. The trustees and the staff put in their best effort to bring all round development of the children so that they can join to the main stream of the society.

Students of 'Vishwas Center'

              Besides teaching daily activities in life, the centre imparts special training in dance, music, drama, yoga and sport. These children have got many prizes in this also. The children are made self sufficient by teaching them the salable items like Greeting cards, Seasonal items like Gudhis, Rakhees, Envelope, Cotton flowers (Organdi), Garlands of plastic flowers, many types of chatanies, nankatai, spices, garlic peeling & peeling & sprouted been (WAL), and much more things and the best thing is that, they sale this product and also get money for their work from institute.

             The centre provides wholesome snacks, which are prepared by the students. By this activity they learn to prepare some simple snacks for themselves. The centre takes almost care of these children in all respect such as Health, Cleanliness, and Good Habits. The centre organizes picnics and study tours to places of tourist interest for the children and their parents ones in a year and one day picnic for students in a year. In which students enjoy a lots.

               The centre has been successful in rehabilitating some students who are doing jobs on their own. Six students are staying in hostel. To rehabilitate these children’s, the parent’s co-operation is very essential. For these purpose the centre also organises workshops. In this Centre parents do co-operates and they have form parents association.

              It’s a matter of pride that vishwas Center is being runs solely on the private donation, as the centre does not received any grant the Government authority. Many Newspapers have covered news of this centre. Trustee, Shri. Arvind Sule said, these children do have capacity but they are unable to communicate well. They need to teach hard. He request people to come ones in their institute to see what their children can do so that the rumour that, this children can’t do anything will changed.

              Principle Mrs. Meena Kshirsagar said, People should accept these children and mix up with them. They are really good friends. One of the well-wisher and from beginning attached with this institute, Pushpa Joshi said, I feel very good with these children. Whatever you teach them they do it with interest and hard work. Just you have to give attention.

              In growth of these children, Parents role is very important. They are only who can make these children capable with their support. Parents, Sheela Lokare and Leela Navale said, family should give support and other people should mix-up with them. They both get support from their family and they said, children do help at home just we have to teach them well and we are happy with our children.

             Vishwas centres, sincerely appeal to you join in their endeavour in rehabilitating Mentally Challenged Children. So, friends, please treat these children as your friends and try to visit Vishwas Centre at least ones.

Ashwini Surve.
Joshi-Bedekar College, Thane.