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Differently Abled - The term makes you think of vulnerability, dependence and challenges, more often leaving you with images of struggles and even despair …
However, my first visit to the Latika Roy Foundation in Dehradun was anything but this. My initial misconceptions were replaced by the laughter of the children there, their joy and happiness, and a care-free outlook that could definitely teach the world a thing or two! When I went to Dehradun last year and met these beaming, giggling, playful children, the barriers my mind had erected were brought down.
At the Latika Roy Foundation, I didn’t see kids deprived of abilities or skills but children who had been brought up in an environment where they were cared for … Despite physical and mental challenges, they enjoyed every moment of life. They were surrounded by faculty members who were all experienced and loving individuals, putting in everything for the holistic improvement of these youngsters. The Latika Roy Foundation has done far more in action than words can tell, and as I watched it unfold before my eyes, I knew I had to make a film to convey what I had witnessed.
Latika Roy Foundation has helped over 20,000 children till date, and every single one of them matters. The Foundation is now expanding, extending their care to more and more children in need of support. To see a cause so promising in my eyes hampered by insufficient funds is disheartening, therefore I have taken it as my responsibility to raise awareness about their efforts and generate funds to support the cause.
I hope that each one of you sees this cause the way I do: creating a giving caring and compassionate environment to give children with special needs hope. In a world where every normal task is a herculean effort, I have witnessed a miracle and I wish to do everything I can to keep it the way it is …
My name is Shaurya Sinha, a 14 year old student in India, and I am urging you to make a contribution of Rs 6,000 ($100) to take part in the pleasure of changing a child’s life for the better…
What they need...
The Latika Roy Foundation in Dehradun has provided formal services to very young children with multiple disabilities through their Early Intervention Centers for nearly two decades. They have seen the results of our work in improved outcomes for children in every area of development and, most especially, in the empowerment, emotional well-being and happiness of EIC mothers and fathers. For the past six years, they have been offering diagnostic, assessment and monitoring services for children with, or at risk for, developmental disabilities at the government Doon Hospital through their Gubbara Centre, which has been fully funded until now by the Government of India through the National Rural Health Mission...
Now the Government proposes to offer these services itself and funding is no longer sanctioned for their center. However, the government has no infrastructure in place and only 1/3 of the necessary staff as on date. The foundation has also been asked to train their replacements and to stay in their present accommodation until the end of March to do so, albeit without staff salaries.
In this peculiar situation, the priority remains the children whom they serve. Whether or not the government funds the foundation, the children will continue to need the services and they are committed to remaining on the job. Funding for staff salaries and program essentials for three months is therefore a necessity
