Lighting lives by reaching out
November 2009
Remember, God has selected you because you are special parents,” said Mrs Fatima D’Souza, addressing the children at the Reach Out camp in the Yoga Institute in Mumbai, held on October 14 and 15.
Sharing her own struggle with accepting that she had a child suffering from Down’s syndrome, she shared how she was able to lead a complete life only after she moved on. “Acceptance is crucial to make you realise that each child is special in his or her own way,“ she averred to all parents in the group.
That indeed is the mission of Reach Out, a group formed by Rekha Balgi, Dr Sulekha Paunaskar and Mrs Anna Lobo in 1997. With an aim to make a difference to the way handicapped children are managed., it does not call for any major changes in the existing situation, but attempts to make sure that all children are comfortable with each other, even if there are issues some of the children face.
Eradicating ignorance, creating opportunities for social interaction and educating people is its aim, which it is doing in a slow and steady way, holding such camps and workshops, even residential ones, all through the year.
“Canada has a policy of a label free zone which has helped people understand and accept each other,” said Mrs Lobo, now in Canada. The children danced, sang, did art work, all together in groups without any ‘labels’, while the parents shared their experiences and listened to discourses in the Yoga Institute.
“Even if we can ensure more and more people respond with a smile to every child, my goal is met, “ says Rekha, grateful to the Yoga Institute, the teachers and volunteers for giving a wonderful opportunity to all the children to interact.
'I learnt so much from the parents and the children that it has been a great education for me too,” said one of the volunteers with a hug and smile to the children, who reciprocated in full measure.
Contact: Rekha Balgi – rekhabalgi@yahoo.co.in,
(022) 26603007
Discussion (0)
No comments yet. Be the first to comment!
Leave a Comment
You need to login to post a comment.