Swami Brahmanand Pratishthan

Swami Brahmanand Pratishthan is a Voluntary Organization working to uplift persons with intellectual and physical disabilities. The trust was founded in the year 1989 by Mrs. Shirish Govekar Poojary, a professional in the field of Special Education, with the objective of providing services to persons with special needs in areas where needed. After conducting a survey in the villages of Belapur, Agroli, Shahabaz & Diwala of Navi Mumbai, Mrs. Poojary started her first Project at Shahabaz with just three students. Today the Trust carries out its activities from two Centres one at CBD, Navi Mumbai and the other at Uran.

Information on the objectives of the organization

The training program that are planned provide opportunities to carry out and face real-life situations and challenges. The type of training the child needs will depend on the severity of the disability, the ability level and the presence of associated disabilities. The team approach that includes the child with special needs, the school, the parents, professionals and the community is vital. A special school curriculum is adapted according to the needs of every child. Multi-sensory teaching learning strategies along with real life experiences enable the child to develop the full potential of the students.

The school curriculum is holistic in nature, providing training in areas such as personal skills, speech and language, motor skills, social Skills and community orientation, functional academics, and various co-curricular activities like art and craft, music, dance, dramatics, sports, yoga etc. Every opportunity is given to the child with disability to participate in school programs to build a sense of belonging, self esteem and confidence. It is the responsibility of the head of the organization to make education a meaningful and engaging experience for children, teachers and parents.

At our center the students are grouped into different levels, namely the pre-primary, primary, transition, secondary, pre-vocational, and vocational. The students are grouped on the basis of their ability, need, their chronological age and IQ. Every class has 8 to 10 students under a trained special educator.

Besides special education the students are exposed to various co-curricular activities. To inculcate good discipline, teamwork and an attitude to help others students, parents and staff conduct activities together.

The main activities of the organization are training, education and rehabilitation of special children. There are three units:

1. Disha Special School, CBD

In this unit the students divided into nine different levels.

A curriculum is designed and an Individual Educational Program is planned for every student. The Objective of the training program is to make every student independent to the maximum possible extent depending on his/ her ability, instill in them a sense of confidence and make them responsible members of the community. The other support services provided at this unit are:

· Occupational Therapy

· Counseling and Guidance

· Computer Training

· Art & Craft

· Music

· Sports

· Dance/drama

· Various other Recreational activities for students, staff and parents.

2. Falguni Vocational Centre, CBD

The students above the age of 18 are transferred to this section. The objective of this unit is to impart training in vocational skills that enable them to become economically self sufficient. The students here learn

· Painting

· Jewellery making

· Making Food Products – chocolates, spices etc.

· Handicraft Items – door mats, torans, wall hanging etc

· Linen – Cushion covers, bedspreads, kitchen napkins.

· Seasonal Products – diyas, candles, rakhees etc.

· Home science and housekeeping skills.

3. Seabird (Sweekar) Special School , Uran

The centre has shifted to its own building at Bori, Uran. The two floor structure has nine class rooms in all. It caters to the needs of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities from the rural areas of Uran in Raigad District.

There are 39 students grouped into four different levels. The staff includes 2 Vocational Instructors, 3 special educators, 2 attendants, 1 driver , cleaner and one supervisor.

Various events and celebrations are held in the school. Events like sports, Annual Day, Christmas etc. are jointly celebrated with the students of the CBD centre.

SWAYAM – Six students who have received training are now independently working with their parents and are engaged in production activities to become economically self sufficient. Products like wheat flour, paper bags, spices, cut vegetables are the jobs done by them. This is done by the Parents association under the guidance and supervision of the school.

IWCA has played a pivotal role in the school organization since 2005 in sponsorship program of students. Mahinder Thakur (sponsored by IWCA) is a very active student placed in vocational group. He is a student with Down Syndrome and is very creative. He takes part in sport activities and makes envelops, bags and other creative works. Some of the other members of IWCA also sponsor towards fees of the students.

On 17th February 2017, IWCA donated water filter for our Uran center Seabird special school.

We are very grateful for the support that the members of IWCA has given us.

We continue to grow and will continue to serve the special children. Our future plans are to built BRAHMAGIRI – (Vocational training centre, Sheltered workshop cum Residential home for the Adult mentally challenged). Students competing the age of 18 years will be admitted to this unit after conducting a formal assessment. Depending on the need and ability of the students, placements will be done in the new unit.