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Help handicapped children

Placement number: 0133
Location: Udumalpet, India 
Preferred Languages: English
Date:  All Year
Minimum Period:  3 weeks

Mother Theresa Society for the Handicapped-Udumalpet is a small voluntary organization providing care and rehabilitation for rural poor children who are differently abled since 1998. It is located in Udumalpet, a rural part of Tamil Nadu state in India. There are currently 65 children in our care, most between 3 and 18 years old. We aim to enable them to lead a meaningful life through the use of systematic methods provided by our dedicated team of caregivers. 22 of the children live with us in full-time residential care. These children come from remote villages that often have little access to regular transportation but also often are embarrassed about these children due to social stigma. The project's director is Rexraj Lucas, who is a qualified special educator in Mental Retardation who is following his father's footsteps in his choice of work.

At admission, each child is assessed for functional ability and given a personal training program. The training areas include motor development, daily activities, communication, social interaction, functional academics, and pre-vocational skills. In the last few years, the number of children benefiting has increased, and so has the number of children integrated into 'regular' schools.

Role of Volunteer

1. Those with experience and education in developmental and other disabilities are preferred, as well as occupational therapists, neuro developmental therapists, and physiotherapists.
2. Volunteers will help to train the staff, assess children, find funding agencies, and write proposals for funding.

Cost

US$300 for the first month and US$ 200 for subsequent months

Travel

Volunteers will be met at the airport by the project manager or another experienced volunteer, who will travel with them to the project.

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