On 19 February, Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled inaugurated the Special School for students with intellectual disabilities titled GKN Wing. Located in the Trust’s newest division in HSR Layout, the Special School was set up to enable children with moderate to severe intellectual disabilities (ages 6-16) to be self sufficient through training in activities of daily living skills, functional education and occupational therapy. The aim is to make them lesser dependent on their families for day to day activities to ensure maximum possible independence and live life with dignity. The school endeavours to provide the facilities in safe and secure environment with good hygienic care. This is a completely free residential totally accessible facility with state of the art infrastructure to work with students with severe intellectual disabilities.
The GKN Wing was inaugurated by Dr Andrew Clarke from GKN UK who spent a lot of time interacting with Samarthanam team and understanding the work done by this organisation. He cut the ceremonious ribbon and lighted the auspicious lamp symbolising new beginning. The ceremony was filled with devotional song, fun filled acts, fancy dressing etc by the special students of Samarthanam Trust.
The Special school has been operational since three years in the HSR Primary School premises. So far due to lack of space and infrastructure a number of activities could not be carried out at the desirable levels. Thanks to support received from GKN Aerospace the students now have state of the art infrastructure, lot of space, teaching learning aids, and a facility equipped for fun filled learning and comfortable living. Other guests present on the occasion included Mr. David Thor, General Manager and Ms. Prarthana Head HR GKN Aerospace Bangalore.
Speaking on the occasion Sri G K Mahantesh, Founder Managing Trustee, Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled thanked the GKN family for their support.
Samarthanam’s Special School for students with Intellectual Disabilities in HSR Layout
