Asha for Education

The goal of this project is to provide health support, special education and nutrition to mentally challenged children and children with reading disabilities. Most children are from below poverty line so vocational training is also provided so that they at least have the basic skills in life to support themselves.

Saron Jehovah Yeereh Trust (Reg no 199/1998) also known as Shaaron Special School opened with 3 children in a rented house for rupees 700 in Rajapalayam. So far, since inception the school has trained 197 children and at present they have 44 children for education and rehabilitation.

Shaaron School was established in 1998 by Asha Toledo’s project partner T. Prema to bring about a difference in the lives of mentally challenged children in the rural parts of Rajapalayam (Virudhunagar District) near Sivakasi in Tamil Nadu, India. Through years of painstaking hard work, she was able to transform this school from a little operation with 2 students to a concrete building with 67 students. The school provides physiotherapy, speech therapy and educational programs designed for special-needs children. Apart from that the school provides free daily lunch/snacks and transportation. Almost all the children come from extremely poor families who cannot afford to take care of such mentally challenged kids. For children above 14 years of age, the school provides vocational education and trains them to make Toys, wall hangings, greeting cards, painting on handkerchiefs and paper bag, etc. so that they can become self reliant.

Since 2008, the school have seen a spate of visitors, volunteers from various places and across the globe who have supported their cause. The government of India also recognised and supported the school by extending the tax exemption benefits under section 80G of Income tax act of 1961 (F.No 102/3/CIT-II/2007-2008).

School's Vision : To create a multi specialty rehabilitation center for the special children with special needs with all types of therapy in international standard.

School's Mission: To create and provide rehabilitation for the mentally challenged children.