The Institution for the Blind is one of the oldest charitable institutions of the country (established 1939 in Lahore and later in 1947 migrated to Delhi). Currently, they have 2 branches in Delhi and both branches house more than 100 Blind boys each (24×7, 365 days a year). Both centers function as Residential schools and hostels.
I visited and interacted with the kids and the staff at the Amar Colony center. The atmosphere was awe-inspiring to experience the simple determination of everyone there. The institute is a full-time boarding facility, a day school and overall nurturing, coaching and training institute. The school works as a day-school for the boys (up to 8th grade) but more importantly acts as kind, caring, responsible and above all a skilled specialized trainer for the blind boys.
Their special needs require tools and special training in every walk of life that we, fully-abled, can take for granted with our sight for example Braille for reading and daily life skills to master the life in the real world. It was heart wrenching and heart-warming at the same time to see and interact with underprivileged kids there. Typical daily activities of kids are schooling, extra curriculum in Arts, Karate, Science, computers, and of course play. I was super impressed to learn that after 8th grade, each kid joins a normal local school (not for the blind or special needs kids). What an achievement it is – I was thinking – and the amount of hard work, steady, step-by-step rigorous training and hard work it takes to get ready for the normal world -e.g. walking on the trafficked road to reach local neighborhood school takes years of preparation. My own difficulties and my complaints seemed like not from a real world in comparison to their real difficulties.
The institute (both centers together) is run as a Court-appointed Receiver (similar to a corporate or a trust society) and managed thus. There are 65 staff members for both centers collectively, mostly teachers including vocational staff (approx. 11 members as aided staff). Additional allied staff includes administrative managers, Secretary, Superintendent, Warden, Clerks, Computer Operator, Dormitory Attendants, Cooks, Drivers, Safai Karamcharis, Chowkidars, etc.
Similar to any other childcare home and orphanage, this institute is mainly run with the donations and help from the donations that the trust receives.
CONTACTS:
check out their website!
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https://institutionfortheblind.org/
send them a message!
ifbblindschool@gmail.com
Call on : +91 8595742493 / +91 1123743123 / +91 9625693873
DONATIONS:
donate directly here!
https://pages.razorpay.com/pl_JKl7kIcOqpmujz/view
LOCATIONS:
Branch Office:
Amar Colony, Lajpat Nagar-IV, New Delhi, Delhi 110024
Head Office:
Punchkuin Road, Ramakrishna Metro Station, Near Pillor No.-24, ND-110001
