School for special children in Mandi that boasts of Olympic medals

MANDI: For over 22 years, Sahyog Vishesh Bachchon Ka Vidyalaya at Nagchala in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh has been a sanctuary for special children, offering both education and hostel facilities.

Established in 1995 with just two students who had speech and hearing impairments, the school grew into a registered institution under the Society Act by 1997. At that time, it catered to four mentally disabled children from Kinnaur. As the number of children with mental disabilities and speech and hearing impairments increased, the institution recognised the need to separate the two schools into distinct divisions.

In 2002, Sahyog Vishesh Bachchon Ka Vidyalaya launched a project specifically for mentally disabled children under the National Trust. This initiative aimed to provide education and hostel facilities for 20 children and was approved by the National Trust in New Delhi. By 2003, the school began offering these services, initially to 20 mentally disabled children. Over the years, the number of children grew, and today, the institution proudly provides education and hostel facilities to 50 children.

The success of the institution is not just limited to education and care. The children have showcased their talents on both national and international stages, particularly in sports. In 2013, Jagdish, a special athlete, won two bronze medals in snowboarding at the Special Olympics in South Korea, making the nation proud.

In 2015, Rahul, a special student, represented India in football at the Special Olympics in Los Angeles, where the team secured fifth place. In 2017, Shubham, another athlete, brought home two bronze medals in Alpine skiing at the Special Olympics in Austria. Shubham is now employed at the institution’s Mental Disease Rehabilitation Centre as a caregiver.

In 2019, Chirag participated in basketball at the Special Olympics in Abu Dhabi, winning a silver medal for India. Additionally, Geeta Purohit, who has been instrumental in coaching these athletes, participated as a coach in both South Korea in 2013 and Austria in 2017.

Sahyog Bal Shravan Viklang Kalyan Samiti is the registered body under the Society Registration Act of 1860, dedicated to the welfare of hearing-impaired and mentally challenged children. The organisation aims to provide educational and vocational rehabilitation in a residential setting. Sahyog has produced numerous international Special Olympics players who have competed in events in South Korea, Los Angeles, Austria, and Abu Dhabi.

The Samiti operates two schools for special children: one for the hearing-impaired and another for the intellectually disabled, both registered under the JJ Act of 2006, the National Trust Act of 1999 and the PWD Act of 1995, with recognition from the Elementary Education Department.

Beyond its work with special children, Sahyog is also dedicated to supporting victims of domestic violence through its Swadhar Greh project, initiated in January 2020 in Chalakha Lunpani, Mandi, HP. This is the only government-run project in the state for women suffering from domestic violence. Currently, 16 women and one child reside in the facility, receiving vocational, medical and counselling support. To date, 18 women have successfully been reintegrated into their homes.

In July 2020, Sahyog expanded its services by launching the Half Way Home programme, which serves 25 recovered mentally ill patients. This transitional living facility offers medical care and other necessary services, helping patients develop the skills needed for independent living.

Sahyog NGO also opened an Open Shelter Home for Boys in Pulghatat near Ram Nagar, Mandi, HP, which is registered under the Juvenile Justice Act of 2016. Since its inception in October 2017, the shelter has served 54 orphans and street children, providing them with education, food, shelter and parental contact, as well as arranging further educational opportunities in different child care institutions. Additionally, a day care center is operational, serving 12 children from nearby villages.

In recognition of its outstanding work, Sahyog has been allocated land by the government for the construction of a new school building at Dolakh Village near NH-21 Mandi. Despite the significant progress and impact made by the society, the government’s grant-in-aid is insufficient to meet the growing needs of special children, women, and mentally ill patients under their care. The society continues to strive to provide the best possible services with the available resources.