1. Mathru Asha CNJ Know Your Projects Session October 2006

2. Mathru Background Residential school for visually impaired children, from poor economic background Located in Yelahanka, suburb of Bangalore. Started by an individual Ms. Gubbi Muktha, in 2001 Serving the section of society –Challenged, distressed economic background –Partially or fully visually challenged children –Are generally dependent, ill-treated and ignored. –Rarely accepted, employed or get equal opportunity

3. Mission Mathru’s purpose is to give quality education to visually impaired children from grades 1 through 10 and prepare them to live a fulfilled life. The school is recognized by the Department of Welfare of the Disabled, Government of Karnataka.. Mathru provides the following to its children: –Since the students are from poor families in the surrounding rural/semi-urban areas, the school is residential. Food and health care are provided –Well rounded education based on their skill level and abilities Most importantly, love, affection and a sense of belonging that is absent in their own domestic background Statistics –40 children (29 Girls) – Age group 5-17 –Adult blind 6 – Age group 18-27 –5 Full time teachers, 3 part time, 5 non-teaching staff –Teachers Training (TT), Diploma for Teaching the Blind (DTB) NIIT certificate for computer education –Parent involvement

4. Mathru’s Activities Primary Aims –Providing quality education –Providing vocational training and skills development –Seeking and providing job opportunities Secondary Aims –Teaching daily living skills –Teaching mobility and orientation skills –Teaching public awareness about the cause, remedies and prevention of blindness –Offering community health services –Assisting the visually impaired adults in joining the mainstream of the society Community Development –Vocational training and skills development for the adult blind –Education in the field of arts, music and drama –Conducting free eye, dental and health care camps for the community –Participating socio-cultural activities of the community

5. Activities in Pictures

11. Asha CNJ and Mathru YearReasonAmount (USD) 2004- Dec Infrastructure (dining/hall/toilets) 17,000 2005- Nov Infrastructure and computers 18,000 2006- Aug Infrastructure (dining/hall/toilets) 10,000

12. Asha CNJ and Mathru

13. Asha CNJ and Mathru Financial Details

14. Current and Future Plans Beyond Monetary Aid - Innovations –Braille Tutor program through Carnegie mellon Univ. spear headed by Nidhi Kalra. –Nutritional Program through UIUC is starting to provide soy milk and supplement to increase protein diet. Ways to help –Cheaper technology and ways to replicate this to other schools –Community awareness and enable policies to employ the visually impaired –Similar schools near you could share the knowledge –Create or provide business ventures to produce cheaper accessories make them independent. –And much more…