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Coimbatore, India
Family Care
Coimbatore
Project No: I08 |
Vilhjalmur (Victor) Jonsson, Michael and Robin
Bedolfe, Gary and Nancy Johnson. |
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| Project Managers:
Vilhjalmur (Victor) Jonsson,
Michael and Robin Bedolfe,
Gary and Nancy Johnson
Contact Info:viljvic@gmail.com
www.familycareindia.org
Family Care Coimbatore, incorporated as a Trust in 2001, is an
autonomous unit with programs for the deaf and hearing impaired
in the Indian States of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. (Throughout all of
India, there are an estimated 60 million deaf.)
The various programs that Family Care Coimbatore undertakes includes:
- On-going programs for hearing impaired
- Leadership Training Seminars for deaf youth
- Marriage counseling / Youth counseling
- Personality enhancement programs for deaf women
- Self-employment programs
- Training in computer technology / education
- International Week for the deaf programs in deaf schools
(August - October)
- Regional Conference for South India Deaf Leadership in (March
through May)
- Seminars for business units, teachers and students
- AIDS Awareness workshop for the deaf
- Counseling programs for parents and executives
- Distribution of educational and motivational material for young
and old
- Seminars for business units, teachers and students
- Personality enrichment program for youth
- Relief work in areas affected by natural disasters
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To
donate to this Family Care Foundation Project, please note Project NAME
and then click here.
Leadership Training
Each month, Family Care Coimbatore hosts seminars throughout the States of Tamil Nadu & Kerala, using the medium of power point slide shows, skits, and stories, all presented by a core group of deaf leaders.
Training classes for deaf women cover various issues of womanhood, their role in Indian society, etiquette and behavior, marriage and motherhood.
Featured Leaders: Venilraj and Ruby
Family Care Coimbatore has helped us find our place in society. I, Venilraj, have been a Family Care volunteer for the last ten years, both and wife being deaf. We are actively involved in reaching out to other deaf people in the community. We are blessed with a hearing child, Priya (age 10), who is able to be educated in a regular school.
A decade ago, I was not sure where I would fit into society or what my future would be, as the communication barrier was too wide for me to cross. Through counseling and personality development classes, my wife and I were able to bridge the gap with the world and we have learnt not to look at our deafness as a handicap. Instead, we are challenged to help others and motivate other deaf folks in the same way. |
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Among the goals of Family Care Coimbatore for the year ahead:
- Setting up Service Centers for the deaf
- Acquiring computers for IT training courses for Deaf Service centers
- Acquiring laptops for use in teaching by deaf teachers
- Completing of Leadership Training Course for deaf teachers
- Conducting teacher's training seminars for deaf schools in South India
- Increasing number of seminars and input for Level 2 students
- Training courses for deaf women
- Parenting skills seminars for deaf parents
Deaf Assistance Programs
Family Care Coimbatore participated in a fundraising drive to generate
income for a new Deaf Teachers' Training Center, and encouraged building
contractors to construct rooms for the facility. Deaf Reach and its benefactors
were honored with a special award ceremony hosted by Hyderabad’s
Governor at the Governor's mansion, Raj Bhavan.
Family Care Coimbatore also assisted in the fundraising and public
awareness campaigns for the various celebrations of the International Week of the Deaf.
Mike Bedolfe (left) at fund raising event. |
J.S.K.Rao, the President and founder of
Deaf Reach, with Mike on
right. |
Many local businesses are also willing to be involved. One such merchant, Mrs. Gaffar, is a beautician who owns two
beauty parlors in Hyderabad. After being informed of the need for training
and job placement of hearing-impaired individuals, Mrs. Gaffar agreed
to give free training to any interested deaf girls. A number of young
women have completed Gaffer’s one-year course, received their diplomas,
and are using these skills as self-sufficient contributing members of
the community.
Robin Bedolph (left) performing a song
inspired
by Helen Keller with theme of
overcoming obstacles. |
Mike Bedolfe receiving
momento of
recognition
from the Governor, for
their work.
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Helen Keller's birthday was cause for a celebration organized
by Deaf Reach and hosted at the Governor's Mansion in Hyderabad.
To begin the program, Robin Bedolph, accompanied by a blind
violinist, sang "Reach for the Sky," a song inspired by Keller
about overcoming obstacles. Each year, the Annie Sullivan Awards are given
to leading teachers of the blind and deaf, with special recognition given
to those who contribute their time and talents to help the handicapped.
Staff with other deaf
teachers and
students on
the steps of
Raj Bhavan
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Mike with deaf children at the Helen
Keller
Birthday Celebration
at the
Governor's Mansion. |
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