Manju Uttamchandani is the Project Coordinator at the Society for the Education of the Crippled. She approaches these children from a very special place in her heart, knowing what it is to deal with a sense of limitation. As a young child she was diagnosed with polio and knows what it takes to rise above this emotional and physical pain and create a productive life.

She was introduced to Home of Hope, and it was an instant connection. Between the passion of Manju Uttamchandani and the zest of HOH's Project Coordinators, SEC started a new program that is helping the older students train for the High School and College Entrance Exams. This began with 13 crippled students who had studied only as far as the 7th grade, but each showed a keen interest in continuing their education, if given a chance.

KID'S ARTWORK
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All 13 students passed the preparatory exam for the Yashwant Rao Maharashtra Open University Program, and the idea is to expand the program to more students!

Home of Hope's Mumbai Project Coordinator, Dr. Bhatia brings with her 30 years of experience as a Principal/Educator with Bombay Teacher's Training College, in Mumbai,

At the Society for the Education of the Crippled, there are four locations. Agripada - a day school for 100 students; Antop Hill - a day school for 105 students; Santacruz - a day school for 65 children and Kanhe Phatte - a residential school for 80 students, and Home of Hope is responsible for all of them.

Some of these children are victims of Cerebral Palsy and need to learn simple, daily life skills. Some are tremendously crippled due to polio, or have been born with no upper limbs. Many of them come from large families where the monthly income is very low, while others come from rural areas.

   HOH's Goals

In this day and age, teaching the children English is very important, and an Early Intervention Program is needed. Most of the teachers know Marathi/Hindi, but teachers who are comfortable with Hindi and English is mandatory.

To keep the current teachers up-to-date with their teaching skills, Dr. Bhatia conducted Teacher Training Seminars for 60 instructors of SEC. It had been a very long time since the teachers had had any kind of training, and over time a certain amount of apathy had set in. The seminars have rejuvenated their interest in working with their students, and they have asked for more group learning sessions. Dr. Bhatia will provide them with Teaching Aids from Bombay Teacher's Training College, and will help them work more directly with the parents.

SEC also provides the students with vocational training, physical therapy, computer training and enhanced art courses. There is also a focus on updating the equipment at the Prosthetics Lab, upgrading the computers, making the restrooms handicap accessible and finding a new location for the Kanhe Phatte residential facility.