AAK sustainability report 2018

60 In 2006, the Mutually Beneficial Activities (MBA) Foundation created an Early Intervention Clinic and Prevocational Training Unit in Powai, India. The aim was to help children with disabilities from disadvan- taged backgrounds whose families cannot afford to pay for therapy. Due to its proximity to our site and the positive impact it brings to the community, AAK Kamani is proud to support an additional facility, built in 2016, that focuses on educating the parents. The Powai facility provides much needed therapy, developmental assistance and even medical interven- tion for children who would otherwise simply not have access to this kind of care. Over the last year, AAK Kamani has been helping to support this much needed initiative, which has been a lifeline for many families in the area. The Early Childhood Intervention Clinic focuses on children aged 2–11 years. Individual action plans are made for each child depending on their special needs, which are strictly followed with the help of occupational, physio, speech therapists and special educators. Regular progress reviews are held with parents, so that any course amendments can be affected immediately. The Prevocational Training Unit is for disabled children aged 12–17 years, where they are taught many day-to-day skills such as clock reading, money usage, and shopping, which are essential for vocational skills training when they reach 18 years of age. Those who can be educated are also coached in the NIOS syllabus to write the tenth-class exams. Raising awareness for parents The clinic and training unit have proved invaluable and many children have shown great improvements in mobility, communication and other skills. However, in the region there is a general lack of awareness about the benefits that this kind of support can provide. Because of this, a new facility was set up in Sangarsh Nagar in 2016 to educate parents about their children’s difficulties and the difference this kind of therapy can make to their lives. The Sangarsh Nagar area comprises of more than 250 buildings built for lower-income families under the Slum Rehabilitation Scheme. With low levels of education amongst adults, it can be difficult to convince parents from the area about the benefits that early intervention therapy can offer. However, once they see the positive results in their children’s development, everything changes. Supporting a brighter future Today, there are 27 children who are being taken care of at the facility. Working with these children at an early age helps them to achieve the best possible level of development, so they can integrate into the community and improve their lives. At AAK Kamani, we will continue to support this wonderful institution and help disadvan- taged children to achieve even more for their future. AAK Kamani, India Giving children a better chance in life 60