Annual Report 0607

DEEPA ACADEMY FOR THE DIFFERENTLY ABLED (S. REG.No: BLU-S10-2006-07) RESIDENTIAL HIGH SCHOOL FOR VISUALLY CHALLENGED CHILDREN No. 226/A, TANK BUND ROAD, SUBRAMANYANAGAR, BANGALORE – 560 021 E-mail: [email protected] “ Deepam Jyothi Param Jyothi Deepam Jyothi Sada Mama Deepena Harathe Papam Sandhya Deepam Namostuthe”

April 14, 2007 Bangalore “There is no lovelier way to thank God for your sight by giving a helping hand to someone in the dark” – Helen Keller ANNUAL REPORT OF THE ACADEMY’S ACTIVITIES CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION 2. CURRICULUM 3. MEDICAL SERVICES 4. CULTURAL PROGRAMMES 5. SPORTS MEET 6. MONTHLY EXPENDITURES 7. CONCLUSION 1. INTRODUCTION The Deepa Academy for the Differently Abled has initiated an Empowerment Center in Bangalore for the differently abled and has been operational since June 2006. The Academy is a residential voluntary organization working for the education and rehabilitation of the blind and other differently abled, with an aim to empower and make them independent with quality education and promoting overall development with the guiding principles of self-help, interaction and involvement. It is currently working on three important projects. 1. The Academy has begun a Residential High School for Visually Challenged Girls. It is providing free education, medical services and boarding and lodging facilities. 2. The Academy intends to bring in the differently abled persons into the mainstream of the society. To achieve this it is working on an Integrated Education Program, in which the Academy has identified children who have capabilities and skills to cope up in a regular environment and they have been admitted to Malleswaram Shishu Vihar High School in Malleswaram and Swami Shivananda High School in Sahakar Nagar. Thanks to the Principal Madam Vasumathi and to her Staff and to the General Secretary Madam Mythily for having extended their hands of co-operation. 3. The Academy has also setup a Computer Learning Center for visually challenged children in the premises of the Academy.

2. CURRICULUM The Residential High School for Girls functions between 10 am to 4 pm everyday. The Academy follows the State syllabus. Under this curriculum, we teach: A. Kannada - First Language B. English – Second Language C. Hindi – Third Language D. Mathematics or Political Science E. Science or Economics F. Social Science Under the Plus curriculum, we teach: A. Kannada Braille B. English Braille C. Hindi Braille D. Orientation Mobility Under the co-curriculum, we teach: A. Music and Handicrafts The students of IED program go the sighted school, which functions between 9 am to 3 pm. The students of Residential High School for Girls and the students of IED program have completed three tests and three-trimester examinations up to 31st March 2007. Four specially trained Teachers, one Tutor for Orientation and Mobility and a Warden cum Cook have been appointed by the Academy to look after all the three projects: 1. The Residential High School for Visually Challenged Girls 2. IED Program 3. Computer Training Center. 3. MEDICAL SERVICES The Academy holds the responsibility of providing free medical services for the children of the institution whenever it is necessary. We are thankful to Dr.Bhutt of Benaka Clinic, Dr.Srinivas, Dr.Nayak of Minto Eye Hospital, Dr.Venkatesh of Jain Eye Hospital and the Doctors of K.C.General Hospital for having rendered their services to the Academy by treating the children. On 13th December 2006, Dr.Venkatesh of Jain Eye Hospital, Seshadripuram, successfully conducted cataract operation on Sowmya J.S., a student of 8th Standard, which has helped her to regain her vision to a large extent. We are extremely grateful to Jain Eye Hospital, Seshadripuram and to Dr.Venkatesh for having conducted this operation under their free camp services. On 6th August 2006, all the children obtained their medical certificates by Dr.Nayak of Minto Eye Hospital. 4. CULTURAL PROGRAMMES

The pupils of the institution had many opportunities to exhibit their talents in various parts of the city on different occasions. The details of the cultural program presented by our children are as follows: ISKON had organized a Music Competition on 25th August 2006. Shivamma, a student of 8th Standard got consolation prizes in the competition. Saraswathi Sangeetha Vidyalaya had organized a Music Festival in the name of Swara Ananda Kala Puraskar, where students from various institutions had participated. Shivamma, a student of 8th Standard secured the First Prize under the category of devotional singing. Shivamma and Anuja had a great opportunity and a tough challenge during the Vocal Music singing program at Prasanna Anjaneya Temple at Mahalakshmi Layout on 4th November 2006 when they had to sing continuously for two hours. The program was a grand success. The children of our institution also participated in the music and painting presentation conducted by the Department for Women and Child Welfare at Bal Bhavan on 25th November 2006. On 31st December 2006, the children participated in the Bhagavad-Gita Recitation competition organized by Vishwa Shanthi Ashram and secured 7 prizes in the competition: 1. Santhosh D.H

I Prize in Quiz II Prize in Elocution

2. Anuja

II Prize in Bhagavad-Gita Recitation

3. Shivamma

I Prize in Bhagavad-Gita Recitation

4. Sowmya J.S

II Prize in Quiz

5. Sandhya Rani N.S

III Prize in Bhagavad-Gita Recitation

6. Lathamani G.V

III Prize in Bhagavad-Gita Recitation

Festivals 1. The 60th Independence Day was celebrated at Sangolli Rayanna Park on 15th August 2006. The Chief Guests were Ex-Mayor Huchappa and Mr. Sridhar, a Social Worker. The children had presented a colorful cultural program on the occasion. 2. The Gandhi Jayanthi was celebrated at the Academy premises on 2nd October 2006. 3. Kannada Rajyothsava was celebrated at Sangolli Rayanna Park on 1st November 2006. 4. The 50th Republic Day was celebrated at the Academy premises on 26th January 2007. Mr. Ramesh, a Social Worker was the Chief Guest. The children had presented a beautiful cultural program on the occasion. 5. SPORTS MEET

The Department for Women and Child Welfare had conducted a District Level Sports Competition for differently abled children at Kanteerava Stadium on 31st November 2006. The students secured four prizes in the competition. 1. Anuja I Prize in Shot-Put 2. Sandhya Rani N.S II Prize in Shot-Put 3. Puneeth Kumar N.S II Prize in Book Balancing 4. Santosh D.H. III Prize in Running Race The students of IED Program also had an opportunity to participate in the Sports Meet conducted by Malleswaram Shishuvihar at Malleswaram Grounds. The low vision children of our Academy with their skills secured prizes competing with sighted children. 1. Santhosh D.H.

II Prize in Running Race II Prize in Three-Legged Race II Prize in Relay I Prize in Iskon Drama III Prize in Kannada Debate III Prize in Hitting the Wicket Special Prize in Exhibition

2. Puneeth Kumar N.S

I Prize in Running Race III Prize in Book Balancing I Prize in Hitting the Wicket III Prize in Three-Legged Race

3. Ganapathy C.A

I Prize in Science Exhibition

4. Kota Prabhu

I Prize in Science Exhibition

5. Kunal V Mehta

I Prize in Science Exhibition

6. Sandhya Rani N.S EXCURSION

III Prize in Three-Legged Race

The children of the Academy had been to Talakadu, Shivana Samudra and M.M.Hills on 22nd and 23rd February 2007. The excursion was a great education and an amusement for the children. Thanks to Raghavendra Travels and to one and all who had contributed in organizing the excursion.

OTHER VOLUNTARY SERVICES 1. The Rhythm Institute of Fine Arts has generously come forward to train our students in various musical instruments such as Keyboard, Drums and Tabla and also conducting classes on Bharathanatyam. The students are attending the classes since July 2006. We express our deep gratitude to Mr. Vishwanath Prasad, Director of Rhythm Institute of Fine Arts for having helped the Academy in this regard.

2. Sudha Ravikumar is visiting our Academy twice a week to handle Yoga classes for our children. 3. Sudha A Kumar is visiting our Academy twice a week to conduct Spoken English classes for our children. 4. Ramesh is giving reader’s services to the visually challenged children in our Academy and helping our Academy in its various activities. 5. Uma N is giving reader’s services to the visually challenged children in our Academy. The Academy is thankful to one and all who have extended their hands of co-operation towards the rehabilitation and empowerment of the visually challenged and other differently abled persons. 6. MONTHLY EXPENDITURE The Academy’s monthly expenditure is around Rs. 46,000/- which includes rent, electricity bill, water and telephone charges, groceries and daily consumables, remuneration for teachers and warden and miscellaneous expenditure. 7. CONCLUSION The Academy gratefully acknowledges the contributions made by one and all during its journey of one year. It is your contribution and services that have given the institution the support to move on the path of progress. The Academy is aiming for strength of twenty-five beneficiaries for the next academic year 20072008. Hence, the monthly expenditure rises up to approximately Rupees Sixty Thousand. We appeal to all of you to continue to support and help us. The Deepa Academy can continue to expand and strengthen its services only if you can help. We need your co-operation. “Your Support is Our Strength”