A brilliantly worthwhile project, working with children with mental, physical or emotional disabilities that are in need of much love and attention. Our care projects are based in the bustling temple town of Madurai in Southern India. This is a challenging yet totally rewarding project and it will be hard not to fall in love with all the beautiful children!

LOCATION:

All of our schools are set in and around the small town of Madurai - some of them in incredibly scenic areas.

PROJECT OVERVIEW:

Travellers works with two different Centres in Madurai and you'll probably assist in both of these. Our main and biggest Centre has approximately 160 children ranging from babies to the age of 45. About 130 of these stude

nts are provided with residential care; the others are brought to the school each day by their parents. The children mainly suffer from Downs Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Microcephaly, Autism, Epilepsy, Deafness and some of the children are slow learners and dyslexic. The aim of the school is to help the children to study, build confidence and develop essential life skills.

In January 2008, the government helped to fund an Early Intervention Centre here for up to 50 children from babies to the age of 6. They have a development therapy unit, speech therapy, occupational therapy and physiotherapy units to cater for the children. The centre allows the parents to stay with their child during school hours to gain a greater understanding of how to care for their child.

The children are very talented and they enter many competitions, often taking home first prize. In November 2007, the Centre hosted a Talent Show and 20 other schools for mentally challenged children in the state of Tamil Nadu took part. The Centre walked off with first prize in the group dancing and solo contest along with fancy dress. No doubt the children will be practicing for a festival when you are here and it will be great fun for you to get involved!

The children at the school speak very little English so at times you may find communication hard, however they will be delighted to have you there and you will certainly be popular throughout the whole school.

We also work at a smaller centre that caters for around 20 children mainly with Downs Syndrome. Some of the children however are slow learners. Alongside academic work, the children learn crafts such as basket and mat weaving, clay work, garland making, embroidering, tailoring, cooking and gardening.

WORK CONTENT:

At the smaller centre, you will be assisting the teachers with developing the children’s understanding of Maths and English but you will mainly concentrate on arts, crafts and drama. The children have a games period each day consisting of throw-ball and basketball. At the main Centre you will probably be working in many different areas, so you should be flexible and adaptable. Some of the areas where you'll be able to assist include:

► Helping with arts and crafts
► Helping with their hand-eye co-ordination skills
► Taking part (or watching!) the daily yoga sessions which help the children with their flexibility
► Helping the children to sew and embroider
► Getting involved with music and dance classes
► Helping the children eat or go to the toilet
► Helping the older children in the garden
► Assisting in the physiotherapy department
► Playing with the children; every day at 3pm is playtime and the children all bundle outside for half and hour of fun! Be prepared to be in great demand at this time!!