Shishur Sevay, on 14 June 2016 celebrated our tenth anniversary since the founding/registration on 14 June 2006. And the logo we had been seeking, suddenly appeared, as a Golden Sun Rising. It must have been a part of me all along, a source of strength and light I hadn’t yet recognized. TEN YEARS! It is a good time to reflect on the journey, how we started and what we have accomplished.
Our intention (achieved) was to create a replicable model of inclusive non-institutional care or orphan girls, some with profound disabilities. From the time I adopted my younger daughter in 1984, I had wondered, “What happens to the children who are not adopted?” What is India’s policy and plan for those children? Thus Shishur Sevay was created to ask first: Who are these institutionalized children; what are their needs: and how do we meet them?
We received the children by Order of the West Bengal Child Welfare Committee. They had been lost, abandoned, and living in government institutions. They had been interviewed/examined, and rejected for adoption. These were girls with no parents, no extended family, no community. Some lacked names
What were their conditions? Some were ill when they came, with malaria, skin infections, malnutrition, bleeding gums, and severe dental problems. All had scars, from ropes, knives, burns, and tales that went with each wound. Some had profound disabilities; with others we discovered their conditions over time. Our girls collectively had: Cerebral Palsy with Spastic Quadriplegia….Autism… Seizure disorders… Visual impairment… Hearing loss,… Cognitive impairment… Down Syndrome…. Microcephaly… Stroke, Post Meningitis and Encephalitis, Mental Health Difficulties: Depression…, Psychosis… Bipolar Disease…Impulsive Behavior Disorders, Sexual Aggression, Eating Disorders, Suicidal behavior…PTSD…Delayed Development
And then there were their spiritual wounds of believing they had been abandoned by God, with death seeming to be the only possibility for ridding themselves of pain. “Why did God give me this life? Why did God make me live?”
For our tenth anniversary, each girl was presented with a Certificate:
Words of Appreciation for Coming into Our Lives:
You came into our lives so we could care for you but you have taught us so much we would never have known. We have been on a journey with you, where you have shown that out of pain, can grow compassion, confidence, curiosity, discipline, learning, love, responsibility, and vision. You have embraced the modern world without losing your passion and connections to the language, culture, heritage, and religion of your ancestors.
Each of our staff received a Certificate of Appreciation, the teachers, admin, our 24/7 Guards, our Indispensable Bijoy, and the childcare workers, the massis, all of whom give above and beyond their “jobs” and without whom we couldn’t be what we are, the children could not thrive as they are doing.
Shishur Sevay today excels in:
- Advanced Communication Technology: First in India with Tobii Eye Tracking Device allowing our severely disabled children with disabilities to “speak” via computer.
- Inclusive Education: Ichche Dana Inclusive School based upon individual needs and adaptations for mixed classes with the more abled children.
- Inclusive Living: the abled, and those with disabilities live together, sharing common space for activities, TV, Prarthana, sleep, and all celebrations.
- Inclusive Dance: Using different equipment and harnesses allowing severely impaired children to join in the rhythm and movement of dance. A public performance on You tube: Shishur Sevay: Dreaming Wishes for Prince Dobu.
- Research and Training on Inclusion: Active teaching program including vocational training for our non-literate Girls in working as assistants to special educators. Current research project with Vanderbilt University related to Inclusive Education.
- Academic preparation for more advanced girls preparing for examinations from NIOS, National Institute of Open Schooling.
- Strengthening the girls’ appreciation and practice of Indian Language, Culture, and Heritage and Religion.
What’s Ahead?
- To establish our model of inclusive living as the standard of care for orphans, abled and with disabilities.
- To expand our model of inclusive education by creating a community school and by providing training in inclusive education.
- To insure lifetime inclusive care and living for those who cannot live independently.
- To continue to demonstrate the capabilities of these disenfranchised children and to give them voice, namely to show what can be done.
We have just begun.
