Swayamkrushi strives to promote awareness of developmental challenges by creating or availing of opportunities for cultural and recreational growth in the community:
Nandanavanam (Fashion Show)
Individuals from Swayamkrushi participated in a fashion show organized by the Rotract Club in 1995. Trainees from Swayamkrushi shared the ramp with professional models. The first of its kind, the show was greatly appreciated by the media and the community.
Republic Day Parade
Swayamkrushi students participate as their own contingency in the Republic Day celebrations on January 26. They hold their heads high and march with pride and dignity.
Janmabhoomi Programme
In 1996, Sri Chandra Babu Naidu, the CM of Andhra Pradesh, launched this programme and made it mandatory that school and college students participate in this novel ‘keep the city clean’ effort. Swayamkrushi trainees joined Kasturba College students in participating and amazed the community with their conduct and dedication. Swayamkrushi remains actively involved in keeping its community and environs clean.
Additionally, in conjunction with this program, a team of expert staff from Swayamkrushi was invited to Bommalaramam in Nalagonda District. Here, staff assessed children, identified those with special needs and provided the community with instruction on coping and management skills..
Young people with mental retardation joined Kasturba College girls to participate in the programme. College students and the public were amazed by the way the young people with mental retardation behaved in a socially acceptable manner.
On August 6, 1998 , as a part of Janmabhoomi programme, a team of experts from Swayamkrushi visited Bommalramaram in Nalgonda District to identify children with mental retardation and they gave guidance to the village officials and schoolteachers on how to manage the children.
National Cadet Corps (NCC) Camps
Swayamkrushi is justifiably proud of this pioneering feature. In January of 1996, trainees form Swayamkrushi participated in the Combined Annual Training Camp (please note capitals). They received instruction in camp-craft, map-reading, weapon-training and first-aid. We repeated this feat in Januray of 2000 and received training in cook-house, reception counter, medical room and sentry duties. This experimental integration in the Corps proved immensely successful and has been incorporated by the NCC of Andhra Pradesh into their regular curriculum.
Participation in Kargil Rally
Swayamkushi students displayed their spirit of patriotism, on July 3, 1999 , about 30 young students of Swayamkrushi took part in the Kargil rally at Hyderabad .
Relief Efforts
In response to the cyclone disaster in 1996, the Lions Club of Tarnaka organized a fete in aid of the Relief Fund. Swayamkrushi proved that people with challenges can be productive members of society. Our agency manned a booth that displayed and sold articles made by Swayamkrushi trainees. Proceeds were donated to the Relief Fund.
Exhibitions
The National Institute of Mentally Handicapped (NIMH) arranges a booth at the annual Industrial Exhibition for voluntary organizations working in the field of special education. For two days every year at this fair, Swayamkrushi trainees display their talents, handicrafts and other products made by them.
Other exhibitions are held at frequent intervals. In 1998, on September 22, an exhibition of Swayamkrushi merchandise was held at the Gran Kakatiya Hotel and Towers. A similar day-long exhibition was organized at the Hotel Green Park (Hyderabad) on October 1999. This event was inaugurated by the Commissioner, Disabled Welfare. An exhibition cum Bommalakoluvu (festival of dolls) was held in Hotel Ramada on September 27, 2000. Smt. Haripriya Rangarajan (the Governor’s wife at that time) graced the occasion. Swayamkrushi receives much praise and appreciation for these efforts.
Extracurricular Activities
Swayamkrushi won the second prize for group singing at the National Festival of Music and Dance organized by NIMH at Ravindra Bharati in the first week of November 1999.
On World Disabled Day, 12 December 1999, Swayamkrushi won the first prize in group singing. The event was organized by St. Mary’s High School.
Gemini Television organized an Anthakshari competition for World Disabled Day. Swayamkrushi was among the 12 agencies that participated. The event was aired on national television.
Swayamkrushi conducted a state-level paralympic meet for the intellectually challenged. Around 150 students from all over Andhra Pradesh participated. From amongst them, 24 were selected for the National Level games.
Extra curricular activities
Swayamkrushi bagged the 2nd prize in Group Singing at National Festival of Music and Dance , organized by NIMH at Ravindra Bharathi in the first week of November 1999.
At the World Disabled Day on December 12, 1999 , organized by St. Mary's High School, Secunderabad, Swayamkrushi bagged the first prize in group singing.
On December 17, 1999 , students from St. Francis College , Secunderabad, visited Swayamkrushi and distributed sketch pens and had a fruitful interaction with the mentally challenged students.
A very unique Antakshari competition was organized for the mentally challenged adults. Totally 12 teams from various voluntary organizations participated in the preliminary round, out of which 5 teams were selected for the semi finals and 3 teams for the finals. The final competition was aired on the renowned television channel Gemini T.V on World Disabled day on the 3 rd of December.
Swayamkrushi conducted state level paralympic meet for the intellectually disabled. Around 150 students from all over A. P. participated. 24 have been selected to participate in the National level athletic meet, which was held in May 2002.
Excursions
Swayamkrushi arranges excursions so that its trainees may enjoy the travel experience, the spirit of holidaying and sight-seeing. We have traveled to Chennai, Kanyakumari, Basar, Shirdi and Tirupati. Additionally, students enjoy outings with mentors from the Round Table (Hyderabad) without attending staff. This encourages a sense of responsibility and autonomy.
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