Sri Arunodayam – A new life, A new dawn

Rescue

Rescue is our prime activity. We are well networked with the police and other government departments which help us to rescue children found abandoned in railway stations, hospitals, markets, places of worship, and on roads.

Impressed with the quality care, protection and rehabilitation services provided, the Government of Tamil Nadu has appointed Sri Arunodayam as a reception home. The mentally challenged children found abandoned in the districts of Chennai, Chengalpattu, Tiruvallur, Villupuram and Ranipet are sent to Sri Arunodayam by the respective district Child Welfare Committees.

We admit children referred by the Department of Social Defence, the police help line, and the public and child help Line. Whatever the source, we admit the child only if all the legal documents are furnished by the respective department.

We admit children referred by the Department of Social Defence, the police help line, and the public and child help Line. Whatever the source, we admit the child only if all the legal documents are furnished by the respective department.



Therapy

Physiotherapy helps mentally challenged children to develop the gross motor skills required for everyday activities. It also promotes flexibility and stimulates their learning abilities.

Occupational therapy focuses on helping the children develop fine motor control necessary to perform concentrated tasks like drawing, writing, or lacing. These basic skills later form the basis of more advanced self-help and academic skills. In 2007, we started providing occupational therapy to the children.

The Therapist provides regular exercises for developmental training with specific goals to be attained at each stage, and holistic therapy aimed at overall improvement of the children’s motor and mental skills.

Sri Arunodayam employs the services of well qualified and experienced therapists. We have well-planned schedules for the therapy. Each child is provided therapy every alternate day. The therapy needs of each child are unique.

Care and Shelter

Upon admission, the child is medically evaluated. This is crucial, since we do not know about the child’s medical history. Many children are prone to epileptic seizures, while some may require orthopedic or neuromuscular attention.

The preliminary medical evaluation process is conducted by a physician. The height, weight, injuries, oral health, and the general health of the child are assessed. Then the child goes through laboratory tests to ascertain if he or she suffers from conditions such as tuberculosis, kidney ailment, HIV/AIDS. Based on the outcome of the evaluation, medication is prescribed or further investigation undertaken. We conduct periodic dental and medical camps.

The Psychologist conducts tests to assess the level of retardation and any other psychological problems the child may have.

Psychological support and socializing are important for the child’s development. We provide the warmth and care of a home and encourage the children to socialize well. We take them to places of worship, the beach, parks and places where they meet people. Interacting with the public creates a two-way effect. The children learn to carry themselves well and the public learn to accept special children into their fold.

Special Education

Special education is the process of educating students with special needs to address the students’ individual requirements. This process involves,

These help the special learners to achieve a higher level of personal self-sufficiency and success in school and community. Sri Arunodayam employs the services of well-qualified and experienced special educators.

Special Education Training helps to develop gross motor, fine motor, meal time, dressing, grooming and toileting activities. It improves receptive and expressive language; creates better opportunities for social interaction, reading and writing, which in turn help them learn the concepts of number, time and money.

Subsequently, they are guided in domestic, recreational and vocational activities and their orientation towards the community is enhanced.

Reunite

Though most of the children are abandoned by parents, there are cases where the child is accidentally separated from the family. Soon after admission, we publish the photograph of the child in the local newspapers and television to enable the family to reach us. So far, 54 children have been re-united with their families. Here is one such story.

One day in 2004, a child was found standing in front of a police station in Chennai. He was unable to speak or give any clues regarding his identity. The Child Help Line volunteers brought him to Sri Arunodayam. We named him Suresh.

We made many attempts to trace his parents, but in vain. Three years after Suresh came to us, an article about Sri Arunodayam with Suresh’s photograph was published in a regional newspaper. His parents read the news and came to Sri Arunodayam. The couple had given up hope of finding their child. They were very happy to have him back in the family. Today, Suresh lives a happy life with his family.

Contact :
Sri Arunodayam Charitable Trust
Plot No 35, Sivananda Nagar, (Opp Senthil Nagar Bus Stop), Kolathur, Chennai 600 099.

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