ANNUAL REPORT: 2023-24
Amidst conflict, wars and sufferings in our bordering countries and state, we are very grateful to report that we can enjoy normal life in Mizoram that enable us to run the office of Spastic Society of Mizoram and its run Gilead Special School smoothly throughout the academic year 2023-2024.
School: The School was reopened on 5th April 2023 as per School calendar of Education Department, Govt. of Mizoram. As had always been in the previous years, the reopening day was very hectic and challenging for the teachers and staff, they were really busy and engaged to pacify crying new comers as well as cooling down the old students who were over excited to see the School and teachers after a long break of one month, i.e. March.
This year also we have a good number of students of different types of disabilities such as Cerebral Palsy, Intellectual Disability, Hearing and Speech Disability, Multiple Disability, Autism Spectrum Disorder and others. As such is the case, we increased staff strength to be able to give individual care as well as effective class teachings.
We would also like to report that one of our stand out achievement in this reporting period is that inspite of our limited space and facilities, we could increase the number of ASD students in the School. We often wonder why Autism Spectrum Disorder population suddenly increased recently. Knowing that they are a group of people with disability, so unique and teachable, who needs care and education the most. So we enrolled almost all applicants to our fullest limit, hoping that they will benefit our care and service in the School.
Besides providing general and special education in the School, we equipped ourselves with essential services in the special school, such as Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy and Speech and Audiology. The students avail these services according to their needs.
Spastic Society of Mizoram also runs a hostel for its students who come from far off villages and those of low economic status. The hostel has been running for almost 20 years with 30 bedded capacity. Here both male and female students are accommodated with separate rooms, and toilets. It is run under the guidance of a very capable warden and four other staff consisting of males and females who efficiently look after the inmates. The hostel has been running from sponsorships from few well-wishers besides solely depending on the fund provided by the Organization. With few financial resources the beneficiary often times cannot be provided with proper beddings and furniture and has been relying on the same for many years. Diet has been good but would have been much better if fund could be availed from the Ministry.
Academic classes are provided to those who are educable, and those trainable are trained in our Vocational Training Centre where they are taught to sew or make paper plates according to their ability. The finished products are sold in local markets, and different congregations according to orders received. Although the income may not be much it helps in maintaining the procurement of raw materials needed. It has also been recruiting its past students who are capable and of higher intellect giving them honorarium every month. This in part boosts their morale and gives them dignity making them feel important and useful to their families and society.
The academic classes are imparted to those beneficiaries who are educable preparing them to appear later under NIOS. A few students have also passed their Xth class under this Schooling. The main objective of Gilead Special School is to provide services to its beneficiaries to help them live independent lives. Beneficiaries are provided such services and severity of disability ranges from mild to severe and provisions are made accordingly. In order for its smooth running more professionals are engaged all the while abiding by the guidelines laid out by the DDRS Scheme. However, it may also be cited that due to the demands of parents and caregivers, the School has been enlisting more than the standard number students mentioned in the guidelines.
The Organization has also been a Registered Organization under National Trust and has been the one and only RO for many years. Beneficiaries are enrolled under the Niramaya Scheme as demanded by the National Trust. However, it may be mentioned that Aadhaar number being a mandatory has caused us problems in registering all our beneficiaries. The problem is such that Children with Cerebral Palsy often face difficulty when biometric photos are to be taken. This in turn hinders the process of registering them under the Niramaya Scheme. They are the most vulnerable and need physiotherapy to help them with their movement and other difficulties they often face. Families are subjected to spending a great amount of money for their child in Therapy, but would ease their burden had their child been able to acquire Aahdaar.
Being surrounded by turmoil and unrest in bordering areas, many refugees have been entering the State of Mizoram. Among them there are children with disabilities and as per the Government order those refugee children seeking attendance in schools whether mainstream or special schools have to be accommodated, and as such Gilead Special School has also been accommodating them as far as possible. This in turn, has caused some problems with the Organization being an NGO with no other income to sustain itself. And unlike other states, Mizoram is not an industrial state and seeking funding from CSR is also a big challenge for us. These refugee beneficiaries also do not possess necessary documents required of them.
Events and Programmes:
Important dates and events to be observed provided by the Ministry has also been given much importance and the days have been observed as far as possible.
- Autism Awareness Month was observed at Gilead Special School Hall with parents of ASD on 18th April 2023. This event has also been observed for a while and has always been sponsored by one of the very prominent citizen who are parents of an autistic child. We are really thankful to the family for their generous contribution. May God bless their beloved son, and the whole family.
- International Day of the Deaf: on 22nd September 2023, we observed International Day of the Deaf where his Excellency, the Governor of Mizoram, Mr. Hari Babu Kamrampati graced the function as Chief Guest. The students of Gilead Special performed songs and poetries to welcome and entertain Mr & Mrs Kamrampati.
- World Cerebral Palsy Day: We observed this particular day on 6th October 2023 at the School. The Director, Social Welfare & Tribal Affairs, Govt. of Mizoram, graced the function as Chief Guest. The day was spent with performances of songs and skits by Children with Cerebral Palsy. We thank the Director for sparing her valuable time with us and we appreciate what she and her Department had been doing for the upliftment of people with disability of Mizoram.
- World Occupational Therapy Day: This Day was observed at Gilead Special School with the students and parents in attendance. The Occupational Therapist gave a speech on the Importance and necessity of Occupational Therapy for their children. The observance ended with a distribution of fulfilling refreshment to all.
- Handicapped Sunday: Every year the Presbyterian Church of India, Mizoram Synod has been allocating the third Sunday of June for persons with disabilities. This year as in other years invitation have been pouring in from local churches and we divided ourselves into four groups to have such programmes.
- Advent Christmas: The School community held Advent Christmas celebration at the School on 8th December 2023. All participants were joyous, sing Christmas songs, dressed in Santa Claus costumes and some students presented Christmas themed dramas, solos, etc.
- Fund Raising Programme: Fund Raising programme is always our continuous activity since the start of the Society. This year we organized Food Court at Millenium Centre, which is located in the heart of the shopping and marketing centre of the City on 25th & 26th November 2023. People in Christmas mood came in large number, buying our vocational products and food items sold with generous hearts. Every one of us worked diligently to earn as much as possible for maintenance of Gilead Special School.
- Divya Kala Mela, Tripura: We participated at the Divya Kala Mela, held in Agartala, Tripura from 6th-11th February 2024, where we showcased our products like paper plates, aprons, bookmarks, utensil holders, doormats, pens. Most of our products are also made from wastes and reproduced as mentioned. Although it garnered a lot of interest from the community it was difficult to sell our products. We, however, felt that it was a great success from our part as we could showcase our items and products and feel proud to mention that our products were made by our PwDs. Also it was our first time showcasing them outside of the state. But, it is also sad to mention that though we were promised total reimbursement for our travels till we have not heard from the organizers and from the Ministry regarding. This make us think twice in attending any other Melas if we are not given what we are due.
- Inspection from the Ministry: After many years of non inspection, we were suddenly faced with an inspection from the monitoring team of the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment. Although we were quite surprised ourselves, our efficient staff at Gilead Special School were ready to face them with every queries and questions. We are glad and proud to have them and see our work and the efficiency of our staff. The monitoring team also was quite satisfied with their inspection. We also hope this will help us further in our GIA and strengthen our bond with the Ministry.