As there was no facility for small children in Powai, we started a small division - Early Childhood Intervention and Pre-vocational training in Powai in 2006. It addressed timely development in children with special needs in the area of mobility, communication and special education.
When our building in Airoli was ready in 2016, only the older trainees could commute daily. So, we continued this unit, GODS’ Heavens, in a rented place in Sangarsh Nagar, Powai. It is a Community Based Centre, located in a building under the Slum Rehabilitation Scheme. The students are from lower income group and the Parents’ literacy and financial levels are very low. No fees is charged; only few sponsors.
There are 42 students in the age group of 03 to 22 and we provide them the required rehab interventions as per their age and capabilities.
Individual Action Plans are made for each child for his / her special education, therapy, counselling, etc… This plan is strictly followed with the help of occupational, physio, speech therapists and special educators. Periodical reviews and meetings with parents are conducted to see the improvements or otherwise, so that any course corrections required can be taken up.
Yearly review is taken to see if any of them are ready to be moved to an integrated / inclusive school or special school set up, where they can benefit from the school infrastructure and inclusive activities.
We have seen much improvement in the children in mobility, communication and attention span; reduction in hyper activity so that they can learn in group situation; independence in personal activities, so that parents are motivated to bring them regularly for the sessions, despite their difficulty in bringing them.
There are 27 children in Early Intervention among which 18 students have started with therapy. They will start sessions once they calm down.
They are taught the basic functional skills like clock reading, money usage, day to day Self-care activities and skills required to ready them for vocational skills training. These youngsters are also assessed and individual action plans are made for their education, therapy and training.. they move on to vocational training once they are 18 years of age.
10 trainees avail of Pre-vocational skill training facility.
The students from the prevoc group move here when they are 18 years of age and ready to take up skills training. If any new student is admitted, then he/she will be assessed and an individual plan will be made, as per their capability and previous exposure to education / training, if any. Thus, they may require some of the pre-voc. preparational activities for some time, before moving to Skills training.
Skills are planned based on their ability and interest. Basic jobs like cutting, folding, pasting, etc. are taught first; then, drawing, painting, quilling, beading, etc.; finally, they are taught to make items of daily use and gift items, using these skills.
Few of the products made during training are, fancy paper bags, gift envelopes, candles, organdie flowers, garlands, etc. Agarbathi packing and packing items made, are also taught to them.
Trainees who can go for advanced training, are trained in stitching, gardening, bakery, house-keeping, etc., which are value adding skills, as per their interest.
It takes about 1 to 2 years, after which their ability to function as a value adding member is assessed and then they will be either trained for outside jobs like housekeeping, hospitality, etc., or moved to the Sheltered Workshop Project, where making and packing of different items of daily use and gift items take place. They work in a group here and start earning a monthly stipend.
Presently, there are 5 trainees in vocational skill training, here.