A visit to Zoo with Sri Vidhya's centre
Sunday, March 23, 2008
On the beautiful morning of 22nd March 2008; Satyam foundation with the Sakshum volunteers took the children with special need of Sri Vidhya’s centre for the special children to Nehru Zoological Park, Hyderabad. The outing was planned for the children as an experience of outside world and a real encounter with the wild life for the recreation and enjoyment.
Sri Vidhya’s centre for the special need children is a special school with the residential facilities for the mentally challenged children of varying age. No matter what caste, background and religion all children are treated same and being trained for their independence so that at their age, they can be included in society. From 1999, the centre is serving for the special need children and got an excellence in handling and training them. Started from the 8 children now the centre is catering the needs of nearly 70 children, out of them few are orphans. Many of children are getting services without any cost that otherwise never could access to such facilities. The staff is trained and dedicated with a soft heart approach. So for some children it is the way of fulfilling their dreams or for few it is their home.
The day started with the welcome to the volunteers in the school campus. Along with the good morning wishes, hot and delicious idlies were served. The bus started with the children, teachers and caretakers to the zoo. Two special guest were also their who were working with the centre and making a documentary with these children. The children sang songs and played Antakashri and enjoyed the journey. The bus reached to the zoo on time. The children were divided into few groups with volunteers and teachers. The children started enjoying the zoo with big tortoises who were enjoying their food. Later they saw the turtles, crocodiles, colourful fishes and water snakes in the ponds. In bird section they enjoyed the national animal, the peacock who was dancing as weather was cloudy. Few children enjoyed the monkeys who were jumping from one tree to other. Later the children and other volunteers enjoyed the train ride, which covered the rest of the zoo. We all enjoyed seeing the white tiger, lion, deer, bear, parrots, elephant etc. At 2 pm it was the time for the lunch. Later we played in the park and enjoyed the rides. In evening we all said bye to the children and thanked to the school for providing the opportunity to enjoy our day with children.
Indeed it was a beautiful and educational day. The children learnt a lot about animals and enjoyed the day. All the volunteers were happy to interact with the children who made their day. Special thanks to SATYAM Foundation, Sri Vidhya Centre, children and other volunteers to make the event memorable.
Dr Neeti Sharma
Posted byNeeti at 8:21 PM
Labels: Experiences
This definitely was a fun-filled learning experience for both the children and the volunteers. It is great to read about all the good work that you all do. Learning through exploration is the best and natural ways of learning, and providing such opportunities to these wonderful children will definitely help them feel included in our community, and vice-versa. Thanks so much for doing this..this also was one way to create the much needed public awareness for the much needed positive and holistic inclusion.