Tata Global Beverages’ Srishti Welfare Initiative Inaugurates New Premises for DARE School in Munnar
The DARE (Development Activities in Rehabilitative Education) School, an initiative of Srishti supported by Tata Global Beverages Limited inaugurated its new premises in Munnar today. The school which provides hope and opportunity to the lives of differently-abled children aged between 4 to 18 years of plantation workers was inaugurated in the presence of Mr. Ajoy Misra, Managing Director and CEO, Tata Global Beverages Limited and Mrs. Ratna Krishna Kumar, Managing Trustee of Srishti Trust.
Located at the newly constructed unit in the Srishti complex and spread across a total area of 6255 sq.ft, DARE School is well equipped with 5 classrooms that comprises of 9 classes, a play area, a kitchen and dining area where the children are served hot and fresh food every day. The school also provides various communication, skill-building programs and training in specific vocational skills for children above 16 years. The speciality of the school is a curriculum based on the ability of the individual child, supported by 18 staff members.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Ajoy Misra, said “Tata Global Beverages is happy to have the opportunity to contribute to community development here. In Munnar, we support various welfare activities in the areas of rehabilitation, employment, skill-building, environment, health and education. The DARE project helps differently abled children realize their potential and develop new skills. We believe the new premises for the DARE school will help the students develop their abilities and give them new opportunities for learning.”
Established 1991, DARE was the first of Srishti‘s initiatives and has 57 students today. DARE works on rehabilitating the differently abled children of plantation workers in Munnar. The teachers are trained in special education to focus on the children's abilities and to guide them. The curriculum is developed based on the ability of the individual child. Emphasis is given to the child’s overall development in order to help them become earning, independent and productive members of society.
According to Mrs. Ratna Krishnakumar, who is closely associated with Srishti, “Defined by the Tata Group’s core values, community development and welfare has always been Srishti’s primary purpose. The Srishti initiative believes in empowering the differently abled. It is an enriching experience working with them and being able to contribute to their learning and development.”
The Srishti Welfare Centre runs various programmes for the education, training and rehabilitation of differently abled children and young adults. The centre now comprises of 5 units - The DARE School, DARE Strawberry Unit, Athulya (manufactures handmade paper and paper products), Aranya (a natural dye project) and The Deli (Confectionery Unit). Trainees and Programme coordinators of each unit are given opportunities to increase their knowledge and functional skills by interacting with welfare units outside their region. The unit also participates in exhibitions, national and international, where their products have received much appreciation.