PROBHODHINI TRUST On 1 st Jan 1977 the work of the Probhodhini trust took the first step in the development of Mentally Challenged. Today, under the Probhodhini trust 350 mentally challenged individuals are getting trained for a life they can lead with dignity and self respect. The trust is recognized by the Government of India. Some of the activities are supported by the Government through grants as well. There are 3 main facilities under Probodhini: Sawli – nursery for mentally challenged children under age 7 years Vidya Mandir – school for mentally challenged children in age group 7 to 18 years Workshop – vocational training center for adult mentally challenged individuals The vision of the trust is complete progression of the students from nursery to workshop at the end of which the students would be capable of earning their own living, and leading independent lives.

Probhodhini Sheltered Workshop

. A Training and Rehabilitation center for adult mentally challenged Individuals. Most of the mentally challenged individuals often have some other physical disability as well. Hence it is quite challenging to evaluate what type of tasks the student should be trained on. Objectives of the Workshop:  Vocational training as per the cognitive, physical and mental ability of the individual - Simple & Repetitive tasks  To give these individuals an opportunity to work  Making them self sufficient and independent.  Making them a productive and important part of the family and the society.

Various Activities at the Workshop File Making & Book Binding:  Almost all students are trained on the job  All machinery and trained staff is available  Regular supply of files to the local Industries and Educational Institutions.  On an average 1000 files are made per day.

Various Activities at the Workshop Screen Printing:  Labels of ABB,VIP and other local Industries are made on a regular basis.  Seasonal Greeting cards. Sewing and Stitching  Napkins  Handkerchiefs  Mobile bags  Cloth bags  Chalk Making  Candle making  Fret Work

Various Activities at the Workshop The workshop also has a kitchen section, where the students make quality food products such as papads, idli/dosa mix, various snacks etc. which are sold in the local markets They also make food items for festivals such as Diwali which are also sold in the local markets.

More about the Workshop A class of 12 students with 1 teacher. The workshop gives students a sense of creation which makes them independent and gives them confidence and happiness. The students are remunerated with an amount ranging from Rs 50/ to Rs 250/month depending on their ability. This amount is deposited in the bank on their account. The money they earn gives them a social standing in the family. Equal importance is given to the development of the Social Skills among students such as identifying amount of money, doing simple calculations, behaving in the public and in work places. Also Manners and social etiquettes are taught. All of this leads to self-confidence which enhances their inborn qualities. To support this various therapies are used

Play Therapy:  Through Games & Competitions students learn about the feelings of victory and defeat.They completely enjoy themselves while playing. Yoga Therapy:  Used for increasing student’s concentration. They stay fit by doing yoga and some ailments can also be reduced. Music Therapy:  The therapy is mainly used for recreation, this increases the concentration and doesn’t make their day-to-day work at the workshop monotonous. All therapies are conducted in groups to encourage interaction among students. Almost in all exhibitions in the city, the workshop participates to exhibit different products made by the students. This makes people aware of the abilities of these Mentally Retarded individuals. More about the Workshop

Items prepared in the workshop by the students:

Rehabilitation For all students who get trained in the workshop,special emphasis is given to rehabilitate them back in the society.Till now 27 students have been rehabilitated.They now earn monthly, from Rs 500 to Rs 4000.All these students are working very successfully and the workshop keeps a follow up of them. Some examples of students working off-workshop: Gas-stations Tea-Coffee Vending machine STD Booths Simple jobwork at small scale work shops

Achievements: Renuka Deshpande: Renuka has borderline IQ,physically very week,very poor eyesight,but has a strong will power to learn new things, and is very obedient.  For the past 7 years she is working with K.Y.M Assembles.She writes her report on her own.She travels alone to the work in the city bus.The Manager of the company and her colleagues support her in everything.She earns Rs 2000 /month and also works overtime if required.

Yogesh Avarsavkar :  Yogesh runs a Tea-Coffee and Snacks shop in a local hospital.  He couldn't work in an industry as he has polio and frequently gets fits. But in the hospital Yogesh can work very efficiently since he has to sit at one place.  Hospital staff takes care of him in case he gets fits while he is there.He has been working for 2-3 years and earns Rs Achievements:

Jyoti More:  Jyoti was a student of the moderate IQ group. She has a little speech problem, can’t read and write.But she follows instructions very well.  Jyoti works in a nursery for small children where she has to look after children. She has been working for 2 years and earns Rs 1000/month.She never used to leave her house alone but now travels alone and works 9 to 5.Her life has been completely transformed.

Achievements: Rakesh Badgujar:  Mentally challenged, has speech problem, can’t speak, can’t read and write at all.  In the workshop he was very good at packing jobs. His speed of work was very good.  Now he works with ‘Mahavir Packaging’ company on daily wages of Rs 55/day.He has two brothers who are also mentally challenged. He is from a very poor family. He has been supporting the family and every body is very proud of him.

How Asha-CNJ has helped 1. Current government funding only supports about 35-40% of the students enrolled 2. For these institutions, it is necessary to keep the number of students per teacher very low, which means extra staff must be hired 3. Currently, most of the staff works full-time voluntarily, without adequate compensation 4. Asha-CNJ donated US$5000 for providing honararium to the workshop staff. 5. This has enabled the workshop to provide adequate compensation to existing staff, and hire new staff as necessary

Help the workshop rehabilitate more number of students – Set up small businesses such as Tea/coffee vending machines, Phone booths, Photocopy shops Help the workshop buy and install equipment to take on larger scale job-work from local industry This will enable the students to actually leave the workshop and work in the outside world This in turn will allow the workshop to admit new students, and train them. What more can be done?