Started by three women, Suchita Somashekaraiah, Meena Jain
and Sharon Watts in June 1995, Shristi Special
Academy in Basaveswaranagar serves physically and
mentally challenged children. Shristi trains disabled
children to deal with life situations, there by making them
confident and self reliant.
One of the founders and Secretary/Programme Executive of
Shristi, Suchita Somashekaraiah told bangalorebest.com
that they have 16 years of experience in the field of developmental
disabilities. Presently, Shristi has 45 disabled children on
day care. Committed teachers have been employed to teach the
children. At present, Shristi provides mid-morning food,
medical aid and other social activities like periodical picnics
to the children. Parents of children who overcome their disability
and become normal, thanks to the medical aid and practical teaching
at Shristi, are advised to send their children to a public
school, she added. "We arrange parents-staff meetings regularly
and counsel parents to get better results," Suchita says.
 But,
for Shristi, funds are a major constraint to carry on
with its noble services. "What the parents pay towards nominal
charges meet only 20 per cent of the expenses we spend on the
children. For the remaining 80 per cent of the expenses we depend
upon private donations. Our monthly expenditure is approximately
rupees one lakh," Suchita said. Shristi is housed
in rented accommodation. Here, the teachers who come from as
far as 40 kilometres, depend on public transport. Shristi
has taken a van on contract for the disabled children, for which
it has to spend about Rs 20,000 as monthly rent. "If some philanthropist
could donate a van to us, it would help a lot," Suchita asserts.
Seventy five per cent of the children who come to Shristi
hail from very low socio-economic backgrounds. The NGO provides
food, transport, medicines, therapeutic intervention involving
resource materials and appliances at a very nominal fee or free
of charges.
 Children
who have been given training here in some trades like terracotta
handicraft and tailoring are making beautiful items - diyas,
beaded bracelets, necklaces, hand bags, book markers to mention
a few.
Under its 'Project Drishti', Shristi supports terminally
ill children with the help of donations. It fulfils the last
wishes of children who are terminally ill. "When the child dies,
we provide for the funeral also if the parents cannot afford
to arrange for it," Suchita said. Those who want to share
the noble cause of Shristi in any manner can contact
them at:
Address:
MIG 71, I Cross, V Main,
KHB colony, II Stage,
Basaveswaranagar,
Bangalore - 560 079.
Phone: 2320 4875.
E-mail: shristi@india.com
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