The Chrysallis Performance Arts Centre for the Challenged, Bangalore, launched the second phase of ‘The Chrysallis Power of One — Know Your Special Friend’ recently.
Differently abled children have special institutions that take care of their education but at some level, they begin to experience the challenge of interacting with other people. For this, Chrysallis launched a nationwide public awareness campaign to encourage children, both with and without disabilities, to study and play together. Diana Tholoor, Founder of Chrysallis and a corporate trainer by profession says, “We are dedicating our eighth year to the integration of children who are differently abled and otherwise. Our outreach programme, which began with 20 children, today caters to around 5000 children.”
Chrysallis organised three events exclusively with this initiative in mind. Since March this year, children with disabilities and otherwise from across the country partnered together and created placards for campaigns in Pondicherry, Hyderabad, Chennai, Chandigarh, Kolkata, Delhi and Bhubaneswar.
The second phase of this initiative was integrated classroom simulation programmes for children from class VII onwards. Teaching staff from various schools were brought together to share their experiences. “Our attempt was to create a platform to understand methods used by teachers in mainstream schools as well as special schools. The teachers invited also made an effort to review teaching modules in mathematics, social studies, science and art,” shares Diana Tholoor.
As part of the third phase of the integration initiative, motorcycle rider Prashant Pillai will be covering 18,000 kilometres across the nation creating awareness on the issue, reaching the final destination — Bangalore — on September 29 this year.
Chrysallis also encourages differently abled children to participate in stage and street plays, radio performances, solo and group dance taking them to the level of professional performances. These programmes have benefited not just children but has also created awareness among many organisations through the Volunteer Enrichment Programmes wherein various corporates come forward to dedicate their time for such causes.
Poster exhibition
Chrysallis organised a poster exhibition along with a cultural event on the same day taking this initiative further ahead. The exhibition, that had over 100 posters designed by the differently abled children, reflected the creativity and thought process of these children.