The moment their second son Justin was born, one look at him and CVV & Mary knew some thing was not with him. But then they also knew he was a gift to them from God and God wanted them to be good stewards the gift he had given to their care. Raising a differently abled child at times is a real challenge. Mary and C.V. have been challenged many times in the past in raising Justin. Such children cannot go to regular schools and have to be given special care and attention in every step.
As a kid was taken to different hospitals but all that the Doctors told us was the Justin's IQ was low doctor ever told CVV & Mary that Justin should not be put in a regular school for children. So when Justin about 4 years old like any other kid in our country, he was sent to a regular school with the hope that he would pick up his lessons. But every day they got complaints from the school about Justin's inability to adjust in class and his attitude problem. Since they were receiving complaints from both teachers and students they were forced to remove him from school. At that time they were told of a school for the mentally disabled children another city. They drove to that city and met with the authorities. After talking to them they promised to give Justin admission to their school. But the problem was since the school was far away; Justin would have to the boarding. On their drive back home Mary expressed her desire to start a special school for the mentally challenged children in the town where they were staying. CVV did not encourage the subject because he knew that to start a school required a lot of finance and that they did not have money then. |
In the mean time they came across parents with children who were mentally disabled. In India to send a disabled child to school is expensive and not every parent can afford it. Many of the parents want to send mentally retarded and handicapped children to special schools but they cannot afford it. Mary was moved her sympathy and she wanted to do something for these neglected, unwanted children. Both Mary and CVV believed that God has gifted them with Justin to be blessing to other parents who are struggling. Mary was all the burdened to do something for these mentally challenged children after reading Rick Warren's book, The purpose Driven Life, and she began to pray to God for opportunities to serve mentally challenged children. God answered her prayer and we were able to open Sathya Nikethan, our School for the rehabilitation of the physically handicapped and mentally challenged children in June 2005.
The Special School is located in Thiruvalla, Kerala State. We have 47 students at present ranging from 3 years, coming from different backgrounds and having different disabilities such as Mental Retardation, Cerebral palsy, Autism, Down's syndrome, and Hydrocephalus. Well-qualified professionals have been appointed to identify and serve the specific needs of each child. Our staff includes special teachers, doctors, physiotherapists, spetherapists, occupational therapists, vocational instructors, music and dance teachers. Facilities include special education, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and pre vocational training, moral and ethical teaching & extra curricular activities. Though much expense is involved in maintaining and running the institution most of the children coming to Sathya Nikethan donot pay any tuition fees because they are from poor families we have purchased a School Van that picks and drops the students from their homes to the school and care. We are praying for a bigger building as the strength of children is increasing & we are slowly expanding. Now looking for a permanent place for the Special School and plan build it up as a Research Centre. CV's vision is to build this School into a Research University. Our prayer to the Lord is that God will strengthen our hands to manage this institution and make it grow for His glory and to be a blessing to the mentally challenged children and their families.
The ' Sathyanikethan special school family' has started the new academic year. This year we hired 3 more special teachers and physical therapy staff. We are praying for a school bus for the school. We have 42 special kids' regular attendees and 78 permanent registrations for the care center of the school.
A medical camp has been conducted on 17th of May. The camp was conducted in the special school premises. Many special kids and other patients around the area came for medical check up. The vocational training attached with the school helps the children to be trained for different vocations. |
