Christmas spirit with a difference

Fest for the special

Vignesh, who suffers from cerebral palsy, is one of the several children who interacted with students of Mallya Aditi International School (MAIS), the co-organisers of the event.
More than 1,000 people participated in the second edition of the carnival held to create awareness on the activities of SSK and raise funds. The children from MAIS had set up as many as 20 stalls, wherein they sold articles ranging from calendars to artefacts made by students at SSK.

As part of the Socially Useful Productive Work (SUPW) programme, 30 students from class 12 of MAIS visit SSK once a week and interact with its students. The team designs various activities to facilitate better interaction with the students.

Shambhavi Bhat, a student at MAIS, who has been visiting SSK since last year said her interaction with students at SSK has helped her gain patience, develop better understanding and be compassionate towards others. Shambhavi, who started the art group last year has now shifted to board games, as she feels it enhances communication with the children suffering from various disabilities. 
 
"When I first came to SSK, my attitude towards them was one of sympathy. However, after continued interaction with the students there has been a marked shift in my perception. I have now realised that they can overcome their disability and accomplish whatever they aspire to,” said Dilip Ravindran.

He used to teach the children to play drums.

Anusuya Roy, class teacher of 12 standard at MAIS, believes that interaction with children at SSK has opened the eyes of her students to the world of disabled children. It has been an enriching experience, wherein my students have been sensitised towards various issues of disability.

"Children at SSK are strong-willed and are a source of inspiration. There is a lot that our children can learn from them. Moreover, our school has made SUPW a yearly project, as it allows our students to understand various issues afflicting differently-abled children and also appreciate their unique personality,” she said.

Also, our students are documenting their experiences and activities performed at the SSK, which will be made into a CD, she added.