Sneha Bhavan

In 1993, Snehabhavan took a significant step by founding a Special School for the Mentally Challenged, providing essential education and support to a student body of 75. This vital institution benefits from the dedicated efforts of a professional team comprising six trained teachers and seven non-teaching staff members. The school's central mission is to equip these students with the necessary skills and knowledge for successful integration into society. To achieve this, the school operates across two separate locations: the junior section is located in Gandhinagar within Kottayam Municipality, while the senior section is situated in Aymanam Grama panchayat.

The Junior Section of the Vocational Training Centre caters to 44 children, categorized into Care Group, Pre-primary, Primary, and Secondary groups. Each child's specific disabilities are identified, and tailored corrective measures, such as physiotherapy and speech therapy, are provided accordingly. The Senior Section of the Vocational Training Centre, an extension of Snehabhavan, Ayamanam, was initiated in 2010. It aims to equip mentally challenged youth with vocational skills, enabling them to become self-reliant citizens. The centre offers training in diverse areas like hand embroidery, tailoring, candle and muffler production, as well as crafting. Some students are also taught agriculture, including vegetable cultivation and fruit tree planting.

The Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) programme is an inclusive approach aimed at the rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) within their communities. Snehabhavan initiated its CBR programs in 2000, covering four Gramapanchayats in Kottayam District and select areas in Kottayam Municipality. Key activities within the CBR programmes encompass raising awareness among the general public, providing social and medical support to those with physical and mental challenges, and engaging in advocacy and collaboration with non-governmental organisations and local Governmental bodies.

In the year 2000, Snehabhavan embarked on a journey by launching Self-Help Groups (SHGs) across 10 Panchayats, empowering individuals with physical challenges to attain self-sufficiency. These cohesive groups, guided by shared objectives and governed by established rules, strive collectively to address their challenges and needs, fostering self-reliance. The initiative aimed to unveil their diverse potential, emphasizing their vital role within the community. By 2002-2003, Snehabhavan successfully established 21 SHG units, with a primary focus on women, recognizing their pivotal role in social and economic advancement, and aiming to uplift them by showcasing their remarkable talents.

Snehabhavan's exceptional commitment to women's empowerment is a hallmark of its history, recognizing the vulnerabilities faced by this segment of society. The organisation has implemented a range of initiatives aimed at improving women's lives, including tailoring training, vocational programmes, and financial schemes. The establishment of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) primarily targeted women. Under the Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR) project, Rachana Mahila Kripa (RMK) was launched, offering women secretarial courses and training to enhance their economic prospects and livelihoods. Snehabhavan's comprehensive efforts have empowered women, creating opportunities for them to thrive and contribute to their communities.