"Very Special" Children

Part A

Social Services of any type are limited in India - a country with the population of over 1.5 billion people.

Services for our One! families are even more limited as the large majority of them do not have any identification papers.
One! International gives the children a birthdate - as close as the parents can remember to the actual date - so the child can celebrate a birthday with the school community. This, of course, does not meet the official requirements.

Free early education is provided by the government - IF - official identification papers can be provided, and a uniform purchased. These requirements eliminate most of our children.

Free medical attention is provided, but hospitals for the poor are ill equiped and medicine must be purchased.

There are few services for the elderly, the abused, or the handicapped (physical or mental),for the general population. For our families they are almost non existent.

Many will remember the stories of Parvati, a young orphan who became extremely ill in the years following the death of her mother. Many will also remember how One! struggled to meet Parvati's medical needs.
Parvati would not likely be the happy healthy girl she is today without the kind and generous financial support of volunteer Anjelica and her family. This support allowed special services to be purchased for Parvati, within and outside of the medical community. We are quite sure these services saved Parvati's life.

Part B

Rohit, a 12 year old boy from Nallasoparo, is blind. He lost his sight when a young boy of about 5 years of age. He can see a little at a 2 inch distance. He has never received any "special" services for his condition.

Rohit can however learn.
He sits in classes and listens to the teachers.

Rohit has also learned discipline, and how to relate to both children and adults.

Rohit was able to go on a recent day long school trip with his class mates to a water park. Vijay Sir was his constant companion for the entire time at the park.

On the way home to the community Rohit was sitting with Vinita Didi, and told her he needed to talk to Vijay Sir. When Vinita asked him why he responded:

Vijay Sir spent the whole day with me Vinita Didi, and he helped me to have fun. I have to thank him.

Rohit was appreciative.
Vijay Sir, who over heard the conversation was proud.
Both had a great day.

One! International tries to meet the "special" needs of our "special" children as much as is possible.