L’expérience de Noa à Satya Special School

Un stage professionnel à Satya Special School

Lorsque l’on est étudiant en formation d’éducateur.trice spécialisé.e, on entend parler de ces pays si progressistes dans la relation éducative en structure sociales et médico-sociales. On lit les derniers articles de travailleurs sociaux au Canada, on regarde le dernier reportage sur l’éducation positive en Suède ou en Norvège, puis on entend parler de ce nouveau concept innovant en Belgique pour le bien être de personnes en situation de handicap. Que des pays occidentaux donc, et pourtant…
A 9000 kilomètres de ma ville d’étude de Rennes, j’ai la chance d’intervenir en tant qu’éducatrice spécialisée stagiaire à Satya Special School, une école qui accueille des enfants en situation de handicap (autisme, déficience intellectuelle, trisomie, troubles du comportement, polyhandicap…) s’inscrivants pour la plupart en protection de l’enfance dû à un milieu familial maltraitant et ou insécurisant.
Mon centre de formation offre la possibilité aux étudiants de partir trois mois à l’étranger dans une structure en lien avec le métier d’éducateur.trice spécialisé.e (qui intervient auprès de publics fragiles pour les accompagner dans leur quotidien, dans leurs projets de vie, leur insertion, garantir leurs droits, dans une relation éducative de confiance et sécurisante).
Loin des nouveaux outils et matériels de dernière génération utilisés en occident, c’est tout en simplicité que ces enfants apprennent, jouent, interagissent, se trompent, et recommencent. Ce que je constate dans mes premières observations, c’est la joie d’être à l’école pour ces petits d’hommes (j’interviens dans la section des 2-6 ans, Early Intervention Class). Des sourires toute la journée, un plaisir d’être ensemble. Je ne suis qu’au début de mon expérience dans l’éducation, mais pour déjà avoir travaillé auprès de ce public, je peux ici dire que je n’avais pas vu autant de plaisir se dégager au sein d’une classe de cours.
Un élément de réponse me vient après mes premiers jours auprès des enfants et de l’équipe : une relation entre enseignants et élèves construite autour de l’affection, pour ne pas dire, d’amour. Tout au long de la journée, ces enfants reçoivent la tendresse, l’affection et la joie de ces professionnels exerçants dans le but d’aider ces enfants à grandir dans une société qui les rejettent avec force.
Alors oui, l’autorité ferme des enseignantes a pu parfois m’affecter dans une certaine mesure, mais avec un recul anthropologique en se disant que cette école possède une charte de protection des enfants (violences physiques, psychologiques et morales interdites) dans un pays qui autorise les violences physiques éducatives, j’ai bien conscience d’être auprès de personnes engagées et irrévocablement progressistes sur leur perception du handicap et de l’éducation.
Pour ma première partie de stage, j’ai réalisé un rapport d’observation sur la dynamique de groupe et sur les besoins individuels des enfants. A l’issue de cet écrit, j’ai proposé un projet autour de l’apprentissage et de la gestion des émotions.
Grâce à quelques schémas, je réalise cet atelier en individuel. Première étape, connaître les émotions « primaires », basiques : colère, peur, joie, tristesse, dégoût. A l’issu de cela, et en fonction des capacités de compréhension des enfants (et en anglais), nous travaillons l’identification de l’émotion présente chez l’enfant pendant cet atelier. Si une émotion « négative » est alors, présente, nous cherchons des outils, des clefs pour permettre à l’enfant d’accueillir et de gérer cette émotion. Tout cela est permis grâce au temps suffisamment long que j’ai auprès d’eux pour solidifier cet apprentissage.
Un dernier point remarquable. J’ai évoqué le peu de matériel (en comparant avec la France) dont dispose la structure dans l’accompagnement de ces jeunes. Je constate une plus grande autonomie des gestes (la propreté, se nourrir, faire par soi-même) du quotidien avec des capacités d’adaptation étonnantes avec des enfants porteurs de particularités (notamment dans l’autisme) qui insécurisent si encore une fois, je me permets de comparer ces observations avec mes quelques expériences en France. Selon moi, les professionnels permettent également à ces enfants d’évoluer grâce à une stimulation et des encouragements sans relâche. Ces enseignants sont persuadés du potentiel d’évolution de ces enfants même si le chemin peut être long.
La foie et l’amour de ces enfants, sont les principes avec lesquels je repartirai de cette incroyable expérience qui m’aura enrichie professionnellement et personnellement.

Merci aux bénévoles des Enfants des Rues de Pondichéry sans qui, ce lien n’aurait pas pu exister.

https://www.satyaspecialschool.org/

What’s been happening at Satya ?

Dear friend,

The past three months have been packed with activity at our centres! Picture above is from the outing to Matrimandir. We have tried a new format, a PDF version of the newsletter.

Our students are back, and we couldn’t wait! We are finally into our routine, with parents also heaving a sigh of relief. We were happy to inaugurate and complete many interesting projects that push the envelope on our understanding and response to disability.

The end of the financial year saw the inauguration of an inclusive anganwadi, to cap off a project we are very proud of, where an entire village came together to start on the journey to inclusion: the Sustainable Inclusive Rural Development project, in association with United Way Chennai. The enthusiasm of the youth was infectious!

Livelihoods was our focus for the quarter, with conversations around hiring in industry, with a live event in association with CII; and in the hospitality sector, as a webinar.

In March, we added another village centre in Marakkanam, Tamil Nadu, an area with an immense need for a centre like ours.

Our partners, parents, and students won many awards as well! While we were happy that we won United Way Chennai’s Best NGO partner (notable project) award, we were happier when our Pollachi centre head Ms. Savitha won the Role Model for Humanity award from Radio City, and happiest when our student, Ananya, won the “Sadhanai Kuzhandhai Virudhu” (Child achiever award) given by Nallore Vattam.

Lastly, to give a choice to our subscribers, the newsletter is in PDF format here. Please take a look and let us know what you think!

Warm regards,

Chitra Shah

Director, Satya Special School

Greetings & news from Satya

Dear friends,

All of us at Satya wish you a Merry Christmas and a very happy New Year! 

This year has been limiting and liberating, challenging and filled with opportunity, full of new directions and reiterations, that we are thankful for all the lessons that have come these past two years. We thank you for your continued support. 


Here’s a brief update of the highlights of the past quarter, apart from our regular programs and services at our various centres. 


Warm regards
.


Chitra Shah,
Director, Satya Special School


International Day of PwDs Commemorated Across Our Centres

And this how we celebrated International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3: with dances, mime, poetry, drawing, and more!

At Satya’s Village Rehabilitation Center, Mutrampet, our Guest of Honour, Mr. Govindasamy, Election Coordinator of Pondicherry, talked about the schemes and special facilities offered by the Election Commission of India for PWDs. Our vice president, Mrs. Sita Ramkumar gave a welcome speech, and our children danced, recited poetry, and performed mime and drama. More than hundred students, parents of PWDs and general public participated in the event.

At our Vocational Training Centre, children danced, sang their hearts out and also taught the teachers how to step to the tunes! “It was the first time since COVID that we had so much fun,” Ms. Archana Ranganathan said.

At our Pollachi Centre, we organised a drawing competition, and distributed mementos and sweets to honour the occasion.


Focus on#ThisAbility

In the past few months, we have been successful with our This Ability Discussion Series, touching upon topics less pondered upon.

On October 6, to commemorate Cerebral Palsy Day and #DaanUtsav, we organized Social-Lies: Busting Myths about Relationships and People with Cerebral Palsy. It was a high-energy session with panelists talking about various aspects of friendships and romance with people with cerebral palsy.

On October 19, in collaboration with Sethu Foundation, we held a session on Menopause Awareness to help women navigate through menopause.

On November 25, we conducted a session that will help us tackle preventable disability at its roots: Genetic Counseling in Prenatal Setting.  The session was received very well, and helped families and therapists understand and deliberate on the importance of genetic counselling for couples and families, what it means, and the tools and resources available to expectant couples.

Part of Satya’s work has been in helping create effective partnerships with institutions. To further that, and to see how best the social sector can share experiences, This Ability ventured into a session in Tamil for NGOs: Beyond the Sheltered Workshop: New Perspectives in Livelihoods for Special Needs. The session provided many interesting insights on employability and livelihoods. NGOs have already expressed an interest in more such sessions.


Natheeshwar, Our ‘Souper’ Self- Starter!

As soon as Natheeshwar got to know about The Energy King and Queen 2021 Cookery Contest, he was on his feet, discussing with his parents about his ideas and cooking methods, using appropriate crockery, and plating. He was overjoyed and pumped up to participate in the event conducted by the Rotary Club of Pondicherry Eves on December 11.

His parents were surprised to see his enthusiasm and competitiveness. While they were aware he had a passion for cooking, they did not know he was this interested!

He had to prepare a soup and a starter and he had chosen Paneer Soya Balls, and Oyster Mushroom Soup (Sippi Kalaan Soup).

On the big day, his parents were a bit concerned about the number of people, music, and announcements on loudspeakers, as it might have triggered his hypersensitivity, but Natheeshwar had another surprise up his sleeve. He handled everything calmly, and focused on his preparations.

As the chef from Sunway Hotel complimented Natheeshwar on the dish, he had a huge smile on his face. He was also applauded for his courage and competitiveness and received a gift for his participation.

Natheeshwar was very happy with a sense of achievement! What’s more, he did not let his disability define him.


This Diwali was made special for us by our friends and well-wishers as they picked up sets of diyas made by our children at Satya! Children made around 60 sets, all of which flew off the shelves! We also came up with quilled Christmas ornaments, which were highly appreciated by one and all.
 
On that note, Merry Christmas and a very happy New Year to you!


« Thank you for your support »

A child’s pain was reduced, a family ate well, a mother worried a bit less, and in some cases a child was saved of an epileptic fit and maybe something more serious…

All of this would not have been possible without your support. Thank you
for keeping these children and people who have a lot less than before,
impacted by the lock down in your hearts and contributing generously in
these times that have troubled everyone in some way or the other. Here
is what some of them have to say to you :

« Usually epileptic medicines are provided free for us in the General Hospital but with the lockdown we could not reach the hospital. I was worried as one day of medication missed would mean serious seizures for my son. Thankfully Satya’s Angels came with enough medicines that we could use for the entire month. This support was god sent. »
Mother of child with disability

« I live in the rural village where I can only access provisions and vegetables if I go to work that day… there is no daily work these days and I was worried about how I would feed the family. The survival kit from Satya is a boon to families who are dependent on our daily wages earnings for our basic needs. God bless you all !! « 
Single mother from a marginalized community

« The lady was so touched when I delivered the medicines that she started to cry and tried to touch my feet.. I was almost embarrassed… that is when I realized of m how important the work we are doing was ! »
Project Coordinator – Satya Special School