Asha for Education

The main objectives of Ashraya are:
1. Providing residential rehabilitation to Mentally & Physically challenged girl children stricken with Poilo, Cerebral Palsy or Mental Retardation, and to develop them to a level of independence by which they could lead a life comparable to that of a normal child.
2. To take over the responsibilities of a challenged girl child by which the unfortunate mother would be free from the burden and enable her to go out and earn a living for the family.
3. Provide employment to physically handicapped female graduates and post-graduates as teachers. Ashraya by policy, provides employment only to handicapped female graduates as teachers.

Only 10 Percent out of 2 lakhs of challenged children in Kerala get some form of institutional care and a vast majority of them are left to fend for themselves. The deplorable condition of these children, particularly that of the female challenged child, and the helpless situation of the parents acted as an inspiration and motivation to launch a project like this in June 2000, to provide succor and solace to these hapless ones. Ashraya currently has 24 inmates.
Ashraya employs a mix of formal and creative-informal teaching/training methods designed for their over all development with special emphasis on behavior modification and imparting training to be self reliant and independent. Physically challenged children are imparted regular teaching. Physiotherapy and aerobic exercises, clay modeling and needle work for developing gross and fine motor control are part of the training. In addition, Ashraya provides the mentally challenged children, a unique approach utilizing sound vibrations arising out of group chanting of ancient vedic hymns and regular recitation of Indian classical music. Ashraya daughters have responded very well to the training and measurable progress is observed.

NOTE: Ashraya has developed greeting cards made out of pictures drawn and painted by its daughters. When you purchase an Ashraya greeting card, the money that you give will go to Ashraya and other projects that we have involving challenged children. Please email Gopalakrishnan.praveen@gmail.com for information.