Helpers of the Handicapped, Kolhapur work with a vision of making people with disabilities productive and self-supportive citizens leading fuller lives with dignity.
Helpers of the Handicapped, Kolhapur work with a vision of making people with disabilities productive and self-supportive citizens leading fuller lives with dignity.
Shantinager, Unchagaon (East), Kolhapur.
Operational since : June 1996
Cumulative Capital Cost incurred to date : Rs. 295.30 Lakh
Requirement for Recurring expenses required for current year : Rs. 73.88 Lakh
'Gharonda' is a residential center for rural and economically weaker students for vocational trainees with disabilities. It caters to their educational, medical and Skill development needs. We provides special attention to provide healthy environment, barrier free infrastructure, healthy food, medical support and surgeries, aids & appliances, ICT skills, personality development and encouragement in sports, culture etc. to the inmates.
Village : More, Post : Wados , Tal.: Kudal, Dist.: Sindhudurg.
Established : April 2001
Cumulative Capital Cost incurred to date : Rs. 300.68 Lakh
This Project, spread over (12) acres of donated land, has emerged as a major center for vocational training and employment of persons with disabilities. During the report period, there were 53 physically challenged staff and trainees residing in dormitories and 14 staying at family quarters provided by us. All the facilities are barrier-free. Here we provide comfortable accommodation, full boarding, medical aid, appliances, stipends and salaries.
‘Helpers’ from its very inception has strived for ‘COMPREHENSIVE REHABILITATION’ of people with disabilities. The rehabilitation process begins with providing medical aid (including surgeries) and continues by providing aids and appliances (wheel chair, calipers, crutches, walkers, etc.) school and college education, vocational training, employment and finally arranging marriages with physically challenged or able bodied partners.
All these services are aimed at equipping disabled persons with skills that would help them lead their lives with dignity and self respect without being a burden on their families or on the society.
Students are provided free lodging, boarding, transportation, school / college fees, books,stationery, etc. They are provided free transportation in our own specially modified buses which accommodate wheel chairs and students wearing calipers and using crutches. Special coaching is given to all students after school hours by experienced teachers. English language classes are also held to enhance their English language skills both spoken and written.
| Percentage of Marks obtained | School Students | College Students | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | Female | Total | Male | Female | Total | |
| 70% or more | 5 | 2 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 6 |
| 60% to 70% | 1 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 4 | 12 |
| 50% to 60% | 6 | 1 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| 40% to 50% | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Below 40% | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 14 | 6 | 20 | 17 | 6 | 23 |
| Category | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students | 31 | 12 | 43 |
| Staff/Trainee | 6 | 9 | 15 |
| Total | 37 | 21 | 58 |
We are proud to share some of the achievements and events that took place in the year 2022-23:
1. Academic Excellence : Two of our hostel students passed the SSC board exam with first class, and two students from the Arts faculty passed the HSC exam with first class. They received excellent guidance and support from the principal and staff of Mahavir Mahavidyalay, Kolhapur. We congratulate Dr. Prof. Rajendra Hirkude, Prof. Ankush Gondage, and Mr. Sanjay Deshpande for their valuable contribution to our students’ success.
2. Scholarship Program : We are grateful to our patron, Drishti Human Resource, for continuing their long-term economic support and mentorship through the Drishti Scholarship Program. This year, 13 students benefited from this program, which covers their tuition fees, books, and other expenses.
3. Awards and Recognition : We are delighted to announce that three of our students received prestigious awards for their academic performance and perseverance. They are:
Mr. Rohidas Salave, who received the Late Dr. Shripad Khando Nigvekar memorial award, instituted by Late Dr. Simantini Rashingkar, for scoring 73.83% in the 12th standard exam.
Mr. Sahil Mankar, who received the Late Smt. S.S. Bhirdi memorial award, instituted by Dr. Aruna Bhirdi, for scoring 64.33% in the 12th standard exam.
Mr. Pravin Shinde, who received the Late Smt. Suchita Naik memorial ‘Jidd Purskar’, instituted by Mr. Sudhanshu Naik, for scoring 68% in the B.Sc. Computer Science I exam, despite coming from a socially and economically disadvantaged background.
4. Cultural and Recreational Activities : We believe that learning should be fun and enjoyable, and that our students should have opportunities to express their talents and interests. Some of the activities that we organized or participated in this year are:
A cultural program in collaboration with Satara Municipal Council and Satara Divyang Mahotsav Samiti, Satara, where our students of Helpers performed singing and dancing.
A concert by the famous Dinesh Mali Foundation in Kolhapur, where our hostel students enjoyed the songs and music.
A magic show by former Naval Officer Shri. Praveen Tulpule, who entertained and inspired our students through his program Mission Happiness.
A visit to Pais Agro Tourism Resort, where our students celebrated the World Tourism Day and had a blast.
5. Health and Hygiene : We are committed to ensuring the health and well-being of our students and staff. We conducted a blood testing camp with the help of Sri Swatmabodh Satsang Trust, Kolhapur and Shrutika laboratories. We also received a generous donation of steel utensils for cooking and 5 wheelchairs from Indo Count Foundation, Kolhapur. Their mobile medical van visits our hostel regularly and provides medical assistance to everyone.