Services
‘Ankur’ Residential Vocational Training Center for Persons with Disabilities
Once the Covid-19 pandemic receded, we wanted to have a place where the PwD can stay and avail
of all the services offered by ‘Saahas’. We are glad to inform you that Shri Adgonda Patil, President
of Shirol Taluka Apang Punarvasan va Aarthik Sahayya Sanstha, Jaisingpur and his Managing
Committee has allowed us the use of a building constructed by them in Nandni village, Jaisingpur
which is very suitable for rehabilitation of PwD. After refurbishing the facility, we have started
providing rehabilitation services since 22 November 2021. This rehabilitation center is named
‘Ankur’ Residential Vocational Training Center for Persons with Disabilities.
‘Ankur’ was officially inaugurated on 1 February 2022 by Hon. Shri Chandrakantdada Patil, ex-
Minister for Public Works Department and Bharatiya Janata Party state President. Several
dignitaries, many disabled persons and local residents were present for the inauguration.
Physical Rehabilitation
All persons with disabilities are constrained due to non-existent or considerably reduced mobility. If this constraint is addressed, they can get proper education, vocational training and employment. Moreover, forced confinement to their homes limits their chances of gainful employment. The poverty leads to mental stress and health issues like pressure sores, malnutrition, and more orthopaedic problems.
Providing wheel chairs and other aids and appliances
We have decided to first address the mobility issues. We have provided 109 wheel chairs worth Rs.10,23,401 (till 31 March 2022) to disabled persons from small villages all over Maharashtra. Moreover, it would cost them a lot to travel to Kolhapur and then to take wheel chair back to their villages. Our organization’s Secretary, Shri Tej Ghatge, owner of Tej Couriers and Managing Director of Ghatge Group of Companies facilitated the delivery without any charges.
Other than Wheel Chairs, we will also provide other appliances like walkers, crutches, calipers, tricycles etc., to the deserving PwD.
Treatment of Pressure Sores (Bed Sores)
Persons with Paraplegia (PwP) who have been bed-ridden for several years, suffer from pressure sores which get worse by the day. These then get infected and result in death. We are addressing this issue in a big way. We have consulted a noted physician of Mumbai who is advising us on treatment. We are providing medicines to PwP with mild to moderate pressure sores.
Educational Rehabilitation
Saahas has plans to support primary, secondary, and higher education of needy PwD. We are gathering information and would extend our help to educate deserving PwD.
Sports & culture
Saahas will strive to provide opportunities to PwD to participate in various sports, competitions, Paralympics etc. It will sponsor deserving PwD to participate in such events.
Saahas would also encourage PwD to take part in various cultural activities and events organized by socially conscious individuals and organizations.
We will try to arrange excursions to places of interest near Kohapur as well as in Mumbai, Goa, Hyderabad etc., to build confidence of paraplegics and other persons with disabilities who have been confined to their beds and homes for several years.
Vocational Training
CANDLE MAKING PROJECT:
In the very short time since the inception of Saahas, we have undertaken our first project of providing vocational training in candle making to PwD. With expert advice from Sunrise Candles of Mahableshwar, we purchased candle making moulds and raw material (wax). We conducted workshops with PwD. The PwD will make normal and decorative candles at their homes. We will provide marketing support. This will facilitate self-employment of PwD. The candles are being marketed under “Ujala” brand name.
We have also started training the disabled in stitching cloth shopping bags. The educated are being trained in clerical work and computer operation.
General Rehabilitation
Saahas has been helping PwD in every possible way to alleviate their suffering. We are providing them information about government schemes and assisting them to fill forms and approach the proper authorities. In the time of Covid-19 pandemic we assisted them to get rations from organizations like Rotary Clubs and other social organizations.
So far we have received registration from 500+ PwD.
Paraplegic Camp
Due to Covid-19 pandemic and resultant lockdown, we were not able to hold Paraplegic Camp. However, we appointed a few Sevavrutis (volunteers) in different parts of Maharashtra, who gathered information about the paraplegics and other PwD and got them registered with Saahas. Through these Sevavrutis we are getting the information and extending our support wherever possible.
After the Covid-19 pandemic was over, we have conducted several camps in ‘Ankur; and nearby villages to get information about the PwD who would need any rehabilitation assistance. The response has been encouraging.
Recognizing and awarding achiever PwD
Apart from medical and physical rehabilitation, it is very important to motivate PwD to attain their full potential. This is done by presenting examples of PwD who achieved success in their lives in spite of severe disability and hardships.
In our launch ceremony held on 16 January 2021, we presented Roshan Jahan Jawad Shaikh, who lost both her legs in a train accident in Mumbai at the age of 16 years when she was in Class XI. She has completed her M.D. Pathology Degree and is now working as a pathologist. Dr. Roshan Jahan was awarded “Role Model 2021”.
See the Citation given to Dr. Roshan Jahan for Role Model 2021 Award: