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For Pinky’s mother, her intellectually challenged daughter was a curse, and she wanted to end Pinky’s life and her own. “She would open the door and just run away. Once when she did, I found her at the bus stop…completely naked. From then, I used to tie her with a chain so she wouldn’t run off. I was helpless. I had even bought poison once…I wanted to give it to her and have it myself so both of us would die,” recalls the regretful mother.

Despite the frustrations, Pinky’s mother decided to fight on to find a way to help her daughter live with dignity. Pinky was enrolled at Mann and she hasn’t looked back.

Pinky has been with Mann for 9 years now. She goes to school daily. Through person-specific training and support, Pinky has learned to do all her work independently without parental guidance. She can draw, paint and do household chores too. Mann has given Pinky an identity beyond her disability, and the organisation hopes to support and train thousands more like Pinky. But they cannot do it without our support.

Inclusion that begins with understanding

"At Mann, we help train adults with intellectual disabilities and autism who come from underprivileged homes. We train them in areas like F&B, hospitality and we have placed them in job opportunities where they can also earn a living and fulfil their dreams," says Dilshad Mehershahi, Director of Fundraising, Mann. 

Mann trains adults with intellectual disabilities and autism, mainly from lower-income groups. The organisation doesn’t end with training alone. They partner with businesses to help their trained pupils get jobs, become valued employees, and contribute to their families and society. The organisation has provided skill-based training to over 500 adults with intellectual disabilities and has found employment opportunities for over 250 of them. Looking at the programme’s success and how it is changing lives, Mann wishes to train 5000 more people, but a financial crunch is hindering this noble cause.

The organisation estimates that it will need ₹2 Cr per annum to manage all its expenses and take the programme to many more people. "Our only request to everyone would be to help us train more students to earn their livelihoods and be productive members of society," urges Dilshad.

About the NGO

Three friends - Dilshad Mehershahi, Beverly Louis, and Geetanjali Gaur started a weekend hobby class for people with disabilities because they felt strongly about raising the level of joy and self-esteem within this community. Soon, it gained immense popularity among adults with special needs and their families, especially from lower-income areas, because of the positive impact it was having on them. They soon turned their hobby class into an institution– and Mann was born.