We urgently need your help to support PREM VIKAS, a community based rehabilitation service for vulnerable and disadvantaged children from a slum area on the outskirts of Mysore, Karnataka- India.
PREM VIKAS, which translates as ‘BLOSSOMING THROUGH LOVE’ is an apt name for this unique open-door community centre that works primarily with children impacted by mental disabilities. The centre provides a safe, nurturing space for these marginalised children to develop, learn and grow. It also builds the capacity of participant families empowering them to play a hands-on role in the development of their children.
Founded in 1988 by artist Manohar Mohan, a native of nearby Bengaluru, the service provides a life-line for parents and children who would otherwise have no access to vital care and support. Mr. Mohan has extensive experience working with the internationally renowned L'Arche Community in both Europe and India and has been personally involved in the day-to-day running of Prem Vikas for the last 30 years.
‘These families are marginalised’ says Manohar ‘and for many of them the birth of a child with a disability is a huge challenge and a stigma that can stretch them to breaking point.’
‘Through our service we promote the idea of ‘different abilities’ rather than 'disabilities’ he says. ‘We focus on providing a hands-on caring environment for children in need as well as empowering their parents by offering them training in occupational therapy, physiotherapy and a range of other self-help life skills.’
SCOPE OF THE SERVICE
The range of services this small stand-alone charity provides is truly remarkable and the hands-on involvement of the family members of the children is central to its success.
The centre is based in two small rented bungalows adjacent to the slum area where target families live. At any one time approximately 20 babies, young children and their families are supported through the centre regardless of their caste or creed. The training offered to parents allows them to play an active role in the development and education of their children. This innovative approach is designed to build inter-generational capacity throughout the community resulting in the bulk of each child’s ‘therapy’ at the centre being facilitated by the parent group.
It is truly inspiring to witness how mothers work on a one-to-one basis to implement, under supervision, the detailed personalized programme devised for each child. The harshness and struggle of the families daily lives is softened by the atmosphere of warmth and unconditional support and acceptance in the centre. Not only do the children flourish, the families also receive essential emotional support.
The service advocates a continuum of care from cradle to adulthood. Pre-vocational training and sheltered work programmes are provided for up to 15 differently-abled teenagers/adults all of whom are non-school attenders.
FUNDING CRISIS
The extraordinary work of Prem Vikas has supported hundreds of families over its 30 year life span. It provides a successful example of genuine empowerment of the most neglected who have no other free service available to them. True to its core vales this really is a place where love allows some marvelous things to happen ….. BUT love alone is not enough.
Operating in a marginalized area of the city, the centre does not receive any mainstream or corporate funding and has been dependent on a charity in Spain for the past 9 years for the funds required to run the childcare service and vocational training/workshop service on a shoestring.
Prem Vikas is currently experiencing a funding crisis as this charity has abruptly ended its financial support due to the demands of the refugee crisis in Europe on its resources.
WE NEED YOUR HELP
We desperately need to raise over $2,150 AUD to keep the doors of this life-changing service open for another month, This will allow Manohar and his team the time they need to work towards securing more long-term funding options.
This is the minimum amount required to maintain the present service and includes the cost of all of the treatment, counselling and education services as well as rent for two bungalows (that house the centre).
With so many of its 1.5 billion population experiencing poverty and hardship, India can be an overwhelming place to spend time. Any help we give can seem like a drop in it's ocean of human suffering.
HOWEVER, our experience has been that each drop, no matter how small, can be life- transforming for those at the receiving end. We may not be able to change the world but we can make it a better place for these poorest and most vulnerable who attend Prem Vikas.
We really appreciate you taking the time to share our story and thank you in advance for any help you are able to provide this truly worthy cause.
[1] Officially known as the A.W.M.D. [Association for the Welfare of the Mentally Disabled]