The Integrated Social Development and Research Institute (ISDRI) have provided material assistances and clothes to a Kathmandu-based a shelter home for children with visual disabilities. ISDRI, a not-for-profit organization, provided the succour to visually impaired children taking refuge in a ‘Free Education Home’ run by the Blind Development Association (BDA).
Free Education Home, is an organization based in Goldhunga, one of the several villages in Tarkeshwor municipality, which lies four kilometers north-east of Balaju, Kathmandu, that provides education and livelihood support for children with visual impairment.
There are currently 12 children taking shelter in the Free Education Home. The children, some of them orphans, were brought from various remote districts including Jumla, Humla, Mugu, Rolpa, Ramachhap and Kavre after they were abandoned by their families and relatives.
Mr. Mohan Prasad Gyawali, ISDRI President, personally handed over the material assistance to Binod Kafle, BDA Chair, on December 25 2017 amid big applause from children who were apparently welcoming the first television set in the shelter. Besides television set, Gyawali provided six sets of voice recorder, 15 sets of the high-neck sweater, after finding out the immediate need of the shelter.
Students said that they will watch the comedy show on the television. “We will be able to perform like comedians in school events after watching comedy shows in television. It’s great for aspiring artists like me,” said a visually impaired child from Mugu district.
All 12 children are studying in Prthivi Narayan Lower Secondary School, a government school which is in a walking distance from the shelter. The children are well loved by their teachers and friends in the school. Head teacher of Prithivi Narayan School, said the school administration is very happy with the performance of the students.
“Though our school lacks a separate teaching facility for children with disabilities, we are not facing any difficulties teaching them. In fact, most of these children are doing far better than their classmates without disabilities,” Head teacher said.