Support a Differently Abled Rural Child - Ambuja Manovikas Kendra

People with disabilities in India are subject to deprivation in many dimensions of their lives - limiting their ability to grow and contribute to their full potential. Social attitudes and stigmas limit the opportunities of disabled people to participate in social and economic life, often even within their own families.

According to the State of the Education Report for India 2019, around 12% of Children With Disabilities (CWDs) dropped out of school, which is comparable with the overall percentage of dropouts among all children. 27% of CWDs never attended any educational institution, as opposed to the overall figure of 17% when the entire child population is taken into account.

And in remote rural India, the situation is even worse. With no support, services or opportunities, parents often give up hope. In places where even normal children are struggling to find their path, special needs kids are completely left behind.

Ambuja Manovikas Kendra (AMK) started in 1999 in Ropar, Punjab as a special school for differently-abled children. It is a facility for intellectually disabled, autism, cerebral palsy and many disabled children in the entire District of Ropar under the initiative of the Ambuja Cement Foundation. AMK is providing essential services such as special education, therapeutic services, rehabilitation, awareness & inclusion in society, counselling to the parents and supporting stakeholders. AMK works to improve the quality of life of differently-abled children, make them self–dependent & to get mainstreamed in society.

At present, the school caters to over 127 children with special needs. It is ensured that children are safe and cared for, that their social and emotional needs are met. At present our approach is indifferent basic models:

• Special Education Programme
• Early Intervention Centre
• Therapeutic Services
• Extra-curricular Activities
• Behaviour Modification Programme
• Life Skills
• Skill Development Rehabilitation Center
• Home Based Rehabilitation Programme
• Parental Training & Support

If supported, our children may explore their potential. Everyone has to come forward to support them socially, financially or may contribute in any other ways. Our duty is to give them an opportunity. Whoever puts their hands forward for these children, remain emotionally connected to them always.

When a child is diagnosed with special needs, it significantly impacts the entire family. Parents experience a range of extreme emotions and siblings too are impacted because their parents’ energies are focused on the special child, who suffers the most. They require different resources, more hands-on support from the family, teachers and an environment that is conducive to supporting their unique needs. Under this perspective, the main objectives of Ambuja Manovikas Kendra are:-

• To improve the quality of life of the children and adults with special needs
• To make them self-dependent in their activities of daily living & livelihood
• Creating awareness and to provide information in the communities towards disability issues & govt. benefits for PWDs

As such AMK provides families with everything they need so that special children can develop the necessary skills to do things in their own life. We wish to provide them with an environment as they need love and empathy to grow, but beyond that, they also need support from society which may bring light into their lives by helping them to live better and regain a part of their childhood. It is a great responsibility, but also of great satisfaction – of helping a child grow and overcome disabilities.