"Every child is gifted. They just unwrap their packages at different times.” - Unknown

All children are gifted. Yes, ALL of them, including those with disabilities. If we are tempted to think otherwise, we condemn ourselves; because we too once were children, gifted in our own unique ways.

Many late bloomers have turned out to be brilliant in later years. A famous example is Albert Einstein who learned to speak much later than his peers and who didn't impress his teachers much. Yet, seven decades after his death he continues to inspire generations of students in the sciences. Today we remember him as a genius!

As we work with children with disabilities, we realize we have geniuses in the making! What they lack in one faculty is more than compensated for in another. At Sri Arunodayam, we boldly tackle the labels and judgments imposed on them, encouraging them to believe in themselves and become who they were meant to be.

If you want to sing, you’ll find a song!

For Pooja, Ragavi, Sai Lakshmi, Shantha, Srimathy, Narmada, Fathima, Kalaiselvi, and Subhashini, the day isn’t complete until they’ve sung their hearts out! They commenced vocal singing classes in April this year and train with their teacher Rajeshwari, three times a week. Rajeshwari is certified in vocal music from Annamalai University and she’s a Veena player. She is also a Swaralaya-certified vocal music instructor. For a start, the children are learning Swaras and devotional songs.

Learning to sing is working for them on multiple levels. They are developing a full range of voices, exploring pitch, tune, rhythm, tone, and more. This activity has contributed to increased concentration and memory, and positive change in behavior. Singing enhances lung function and helps alleviate stress. The girls are learning to express themselves and giving their vocal chords a good workout is bringing many health and wellbeing benefits, and making a difference in how they feel.

Not fighting but building character!

Are martial arts only about fighting? Apparently not. They are traditions of combat practiced for a variety of reasons including self-defense and physical, mental, and spiritual development. A cultural heritage handed down through generations. Our boys are learning the ancient art of Silambam, which originated in Tamil Nadu thousands of years ago. Eleven boys are studying the foundation for combat and conditioning their bodies to improve flexibility, agility, hand-eye coordination, kinesthetic awareness, balance, strength, and speed. The practice is developing muscular and cardiovascular stamina in them. Classes are held twice a week at our home for boys. Their instructor, Milton, is a martial arts champion who won a gold medal in the championship tournament held in Nepal.

Our little drummer boys!

Drumming provides a lot of emotional and social benefits for children with special needs. Six of our boys are learning Cajon drumming with Pradeep Kumar, a student of Mr. Sha from Eminent Drums School, Thiruvanmiyur. Pradeep is a specialist in various types of musical instruments and has been practicing Cajon drumming for more than 14 years. Cajon drums are wooden box-shaped percussion instruments originally from Peru, played by slapping the front or rear faces with hands, fingers, or instruments like brushes and sticks to elicit a range of sounds.

Since they started classes, we find our boys a lot happier and more confident. Drumming processes multiple regions in the brain that combine to increase interest and fun while indulging in the activity. The boys appear to have better impulse control, concentration, dexterity, and motivation. Drumming is a great way to reduce depression as well, which is something most children with special needs suffer with.

The Karangal Project

Our boys and girls are taking part in a unique program called the Karangal Project. This started quite out of the blue but is turning out to be a wonderful program for children with special needs.

Oviya Ramakrishnan, an 18-year-old student, and her friends in Singapore are volunteers in the Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore (MINDS). She visited our website and partnered with us to conduct online activities specifically designed for children with special needs.

Thirty of our children (15 boys and 15 girls) attend these classes conducted on Saturdays. They learn dancing, origami paper artwork, storytelling, group games, and even making jewelry out of fun materials. Needless to say, the children learn new things each week and have a lot of fun in the bargain!

It’s all about fitness!

Since July 2022, Jagadesh, a trained fitness instructor practicing fitness for more than 20 years, conducts physical exercise training for 48 boys at our home. These classes happen four days a week for an hour in the morning. The sessions commence with warm-up exercises and progress to core strengthening exercises for better blood circulation. Jagadesh also focuses on weight loss and overall fitness. The core strengthening exercises help to protect the spine, strengthen muscles, and enhance balance. The sessions end with cool-down exercises and meditation for around 10 minutes. This is followed by drinking water to reduce the heart rate. Our children appear healthier in mind and body and are more active and full of life! They appear to enjoy the program.

She’s making her mark!

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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.

These children are the wards of the Government of India and their identities are recognized and protected. Using their pictures without permission from Sri Arunodayam Charitable Trust is a punishable offense.