Asmita Site Report 2007
I, Farid Abbasi with Ms. Sujata, Ms. Renu Agarwal and Mr. Chunni Lal visited Asmita at 18/444, Indra Nagar, Lucknow on Monday, 3rd Sep 2007.
Asmita a centre for slow learners and mildly retarded children was estd. in 1989 by Dr. Krishna Dutt and his wife Madhu with 2 children. Currently there are 50 children. Dr. Krishna Dutt is a Clinical Psychologist at KingGeorgeMedicalUniversity,Lucknow.
The grit & determination of Dr. Dutt have seen Asmita grow very slowly but definitely. Only last year in 2006it was shifted to a slightly bigger premise, which is the present address. It is also semi-donated by one of the patient of Mr. Dutt. The first floor is the school portion of Asmita, with 4 small class rooms, two bathrooms, one kitchen, a store, a computer room one hall.The kitchen and bathroom are utilized by teachers and trainersto induct the students in daily routine & toilet habits. They also give small instructions of using kitchen in order to empower then better for their future normal life.
Presently there aresixteacher cum trainers- Ms. Padma Pandey, Ms Kanak Lata Singh,Ms. Sangeeta Shukla, Ms.Shiny, Ms Purna and Ms. Ankita, one Computer teacher Ms Shubha and one Sports teacher Ms Mamta. Dr Malani Rastogi, Speech Therapist and Dr. Ravi,Physiotherapistalso visits Asmita.
Out of 50 students, 4 kids have spastic problem, 7 have speech disability,5 hyper active, 2 autism and rest are slow learners. Agegroup is from 5-20yrs, but most of the children are 10-12 yrs. There are 35boys and 15 girls. Seven children belong to extremely economically weaker section and they are supported by ASHA, 9 kids can afford only conveyance and rest are from middle class / lower middle class who pay their fee and conveyance.Proportionate representation of the society was missing. A centre for social cause should have more beneficiaries from weaker section who lag behind in our development process. ASHA team suggested Dr. Dutt that he should see that children of very poor and dalit are not left behind. To this Dr. Dutt agreed to conduct a survey around the area.
Classes are held in two batches: 9 am -12 noon and 1 pm – 4 pm.IQ Range of the childrenare between 50-75 which is the normal classification for slower learner. There are 50% slow learners and 50% mildlyretarded.
Asmita has been able to rehabilitated about 8-10 kids by getting them involve in very routine work such as working at kirana store, vegetable store etc. in order to provide them a secure future.The students who are rehabilitated join the national open school stream where they can clear one subject at a time.
Asmita has a Marshall Jeep for carrying students. Itwas donated by State Bank ofIndia; presently SBI has agreed to donate School Bus for Asmita. One driver and one attendant are also part of Asmita.
Asmita is supported by ASHA and other independent donors of which most of them are clients of Dr. Krishna Dutt.Dr. Dutt himself donates his consultation fee to Asmita which is Rs. 200 per patient.
Teaching Methods :
-Counseling work with their behavioral problems
-Rely on encouragement, patience & positive reinforcement of their achievements.
-Reading, writing, extra curricular activities like art, sport, music, plays, etc.
-Providing vocational training and computers.
-Training in life skills and general coping strategies.
Asmita providespsychological and technical guidance not to just rescue slow learners from there identity crisis but undoubtedly enable themselves as an effective and productive person prepared to be integratedhonorably and fruitfully in society.
Asmita team also visits schools in order to spread the awareness about the differences between slow learners and mildly retarded.
Dr. Dutt and team also donateone Sunday per month in a village. They also organize info camps in rural areas for counseling, mental health problem and to diagnose slow learners.
Desirable – Dr. Dutt expects from ASHA that 9 children to be supported with conveyance of Rs.200/- each.
Requirement – Dr. Dutt ASHA team that there is an urgent requirement of a Program Coordinator in Asmita for spreading greater awareness, conducting surveys, rehabilitation work and better integration. He needs support of 5000/- per month for the same.
Thanks,
Regards,
Farid Abbasi
*Pl. also see the photograph of children in Asmita given to ASHA team by Dr. Krishna Dutt.