Sri Arunodayam was started by Mr.Iyyappan and his
sister Jayachitra. Borrowing words
from their website:
Every child born on earth is unique. However, not all of them receive the
love, care and attention that they require to grow and develop into
wholesome individuals. Even more, when the child is intellectually
challenged, the care and attention required are twice as much.
The approach towards intellectual disability is different in the East
and the West. The Western countries follow a medical model, where the
Government steps in and provides complete rehabilitation and care. A
social model is followed in the Eastern countries, where the families
play a pivotal role in the education and rehabilitation of the mentally
challenged individuals, with a moderate support from the Government and
Non-Government Organizations (NGOs). In the social model, the family
faces all issues that arise out of having a mentally retarded member.
In India, due to lack of awareness about intellectual disability, lack
of access to resources and societal stigma, many families abandon their
intellectually challenged children. This being the scenario, Sri
Arunodayam has stepped in to salvage the situation.
Sri Arunodayam was started as a home for destitute children. A 24-hour
helpline along with the support of the Police network direct
intellectually challenged, abandoned children from different parts of
the country to find refuge in the loving hands of Sri Arunodayam.
The number of children under Sri Arunodayam’s care are not constant. It
floats around eighty. Many children stay on with Sri Arunodayam, some
children are re-united with their parents while some pass away.
Though Rescue, Rehabilitation and Care are prime activities of Sri
Arunodayam, prevention is another area where Sri Arunodayam has started
working. With the objective of preventing abandonment and preventing the
possibilities of children being born with intellectual disability, Sri
Arunodayam works with the community to create awareness, impart
knowledge about intellectual disability and work to integrate such
individuals into the society.
Dishaa started supporting Sri Arunodayam from 2009. Funds provided by
Dishaa are used for Food and Medicine expenses for the children at the
home. Dishaa also provides clothes, sweets and fireworks for Diwali.
| Year |
Amount
(USD) |
Amount
(Indian Rupees) |
| 2009 |
2,602 |
1,19,692 |
| 2010 |
1,095 |
49,822 |
| |
|
|
| Total |
3,697 |
1,69,514 |