"The past will be your teacher if you learn from it; your master, if you live in it." - Dr. Steve Maraboli

As we close 2022, we realize that no experience is ever wasted. We’ve grown and have been built up on account of them. Despite very humble beginnings, or possibly because of it, Sri Arunodayam has been entrusted with more each year – more lives to care for, more resources to share, more responsibilities to undertake, more accountability to assume, and also, more love to give.

We take this opportunity to thank you for making the journey with us. It matters where we’re headed, and it’s comforting that you walk beside us.

As we prepare to embrace 2023, here's a wrap for 2022!

Psychological Assessment Programs
Over 100 children were assessed this year. Assessment is an annual activity that helps our special educators and vocational instructors appropriately grade the children and set new goals for them to achieve in the coming year. And though not all may achieve their goals, the exercise often serves as something for the children to aim at and strive to master at their own pace.

Polio Vaccination and Medical Programs
All our children are vaccinated. The newly inducted babies too received their Polio vaccination. Two children received new kneecaps, 42 received psychiatric and fits medications, and over 100 received health-boosting vitamin supplements and special diets. Throughout the year we conducted multiple medical camps including dental and tuberculosis screening camps with the help of supporting/partner network organizations.

Awareness Programs
At frequent intervals this year, we conducted Covid 19 awareness programs, fire drills, ‘good touch bad touch’ classes, menstrual health and hygiene classes for girls, caregiving workshops, and participated in many partner-affiliated programs including the “quit drugs choose life” program conducted by the Government of Tamil Nadu.

Educational Programs
Blooming Seeds, U.S., conducted interesting science experiments, helping our children explore the stimulating world of science. The ‘go green' program and educational trips to Crocodile Park had a good impact on the children. Over 80 children were taken on trips to various parks and institutions across Chennai. 44 children received special education every day and 14 were placed under our Individualized Education Program (IEP). Children learn about various issues - from protecting the environment to using the Metro!

Rehabilitation Programs
Over 45 children received physiotherapy every day and a number of them began to walk this year - Harish, Sabari, Pooja, Johnsy, Anu, and Praveen. This was not an easy achievement for the children or for their caregivers and physiotherapists. It took a tremendous amount of patience. After months, they are now enjoying the fruit of their hard work! Watch Praveen walking here, and Johnsy, here.

Extracurricular Programs
When we introduced classical dance at our home a few years ago, our girls had hyperactivity and balancing issues. Today, they have overcome these challenges and remember long and complex dance sequences. They made many public appearances, thanks to their physiotherapists and dance teacher. Learn about some of their performances here.

Vocational Training Programs
Over 40 youngsters received vocational training this year through Prayatna, our vocational training center. They wove colorful rugs and wire baskets, prepared brightly painted diyas, and stitched beautiful cloth face masks, mugurtha bags, sling bags, and all types of bags, on order. A combination of structure and self-discipline ensures that they are never idle but remain productive, at their own pace. Learn more about Prayatna, here.

Standing by Our Commitments
We continue to run our Special Mom Awards program each year, of which 75 families are a part. One of the promises we make to the awardees is to take care of their special needs children upon their passing if the extended family will not step up to the responsibility. Premavathi Bai, our 2018 awardee, and her husband passed away leaving Mekala, their daughter, an orphan who came to live with us. We keep our promise, which gives hope to these precious families.

New 13000+ sq. ft. home built for girls
We inaugurated our new home for girls despite the pandemic, thanks to our benefactors! This child-friendly “residential cum rehabilitation” home can shelter 100+ children. It has a fully equipped medical center, physiotherapy, and special education classrooms, a vocational training center, dormitories, restrooms, a centralized kitchen/pantry, and dining room, and recreation space.

A New Venture on the Horizon – Our Aftercare Home
We’ve started work on a new aftercare home in Tiruttani for young adults with intellectual disabilities. Over 40 youngsters are working the field and sowing for an abundant harvest. The home will include a fully equipped medical center, a vocational training center, dormitories, restrooms, a centralized kitchen, and a dining room. Our dairy farming project and other agri-related projects will be run from this location.

State-Level Sports Meet for Differently Abled Children
This was an excellent way to end the year! Our Nithya and Shantha won the First and Second Prizes, respectively, for the 100 meters running race at the above event, organized by the Department of Welfare of Differently Abled Persons on the 1st of December, 2022. The other events included: (1) running (25 - 50 meters), (2) standing long jump, and (3) running long jump. This is a critical milestone for our children as we move into State-level athletics. There’s no saying what new adventures await them, and we are excited about it!

World Disability Day Program with the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu
The Department of Welfare of Differently Abled Persons conducted the World Disability Day Cultural Program on the 3rd of December 2022 in which we took part. Nithya and Shantha were presented with their prizes by the Honourable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Thiru M. K. Stalin. There were dances and cultural events celebrating the lives and achievements of persons with special needs, and everyone enjoyed their time at the function. It's time that people with special needs are given due recognition, and this event did just that!

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Sri Arunodayam is a secular organization with zero tolerance for discrimination against children regardless of religion, caste, race, ethnicity, disability or gender.