A team of 20 students from St Hilda's School, Ooty, paid a visit to Udhavi on Feb 12, 2013 as part of their Interact club and charity visit program. They were welcomed by Founder member of Udhavi, Mala Ramaswamy and other members of the Udhavi core committee.
The students were given an introduction to the workings of the centre and the types of challenges that the children at Udhavi face. Before being divided into 5 teams and to observe the volunteer work with the special need of different categories of children, the school students were explained the difference between 'a child with disability' and a 'disabled child' - a common mistake made when referring to children with learning and physical challenges.
Lathika Rao, Udhavi's special educator and program director guided the students through the different learning aids that the centre uses to help the child with challenges to learn and understand.
The principal of St Hilda's Pamela Clarke who accompanied the student group expressed appreciation for the 'well-run and managed school', while adding that St Hilda's school would like to play a larger role in working along with the centre in future. Lunch was organised by Ms Clarke for all students, staff members and volunteers at Udhavi.
The school students from Ooty sang three special songs for the children, including "You are the apple of God's eyes' while the Udhavi children performed a dance number for the visitors.
Before leaving the students presented the Udhavi children with little pouches containing utility items like toothpaste, a toothbrush and hand wash soaps.