udhavi: Organisers of Harry Belafonte evening meet

Thursday, March 15, 2012: GET TOGETHER

Members of Udhavi and the students invited the organisers of the recently concluded fund raiser Harry Belafonte evening, to a lunch at the school premises to express their gratitude for a successfully organised program. Held at the Coonoor Club, the sing-along program conceptualised by well wishers of Udhavi, Suresh Belliraj and Tarun Matthew and their families turned out to be a very well appreciated event with invitees expressing delight.

'It was wonderful to see such talent among us,' said longstanding elder and renowned pianist, Mrs Phyllis Wright after the program. Others expressed similar sentiment, particularly commending the organisers for a well planned event.

The fund raising event raised Rs. 1.25 lac in the form of donations to Udhavi. Lathika Rao, President of Udhavi, expressed her gratitude to Mr Belliraj and Mr Matthew, thanking them on behalf of the students and staff of the centre. The children performed two dance items for the guests. They also presented the visitors with specially designed handmade cards.

About Udhavi

Udhavi is a registered Trust, started in 1991 to cater to the needs of children with special needs in and around Coonoor town in the Nilgiris district of South India. Initially started in association with FPAI (Family Planning Assn. of India) Udhavi - the centre for children with special needs became an independent entity in 1997; it moved into its present premises at Darlington Bridge, Upper Coonoor in 2002. Presently, 24 young students attend the day care centre which offers a variety of learning programs, conducted by a team of special educators and local volunteers.

Learning program at Udhavi

At Udhavi, the environment is such that a child learns and plays with no pressure and is not subject to comparisons – a very conducive atmosphere. Udhavi's special educators and volunteers work with children with developmental delay, cerebral palsy, autism, Down’s syndrome and Rhett’s syndrome.

Children are grouped into four sections: Early intervention group, for the very young. Functional literacy, for those children who require basic literacy skills and environmental
awareness. Academic section, for those who can cope with the State syllabus. Pre-vocational training is given for older children. Programs at Udhavi also include physiotherapy, music, games, dance art & craft. There are, at present, 21 students attending the day program with 3 children on ‘home management’. Food is provided at this day learning centre and includes a glass of milk in the morning, a wholesome afternoon lunch prepared in-house, and tea with biscuits in the evening. Medicines are provided, where required. Udhavi’s children are also taken to Coimbatore for regular medical check-ups to the Kovai Medical centre and to the Aravind Eye hospital.

All services at Udhavi are provided at no cost, to the parents and children. Contributions from members of local society and donations from corporate entities help meet the centre's expenses. To know more about how you can also donate to Udhavi pls email udhavi.cnr@gmail.com

Pages

Organisers of Harry Belafonte evening meet