Medical care, therapy, school and vocational training for disabled children and young people in Varanasi, India
Kiran Village
Kiran Village on the outskirts of the north Indian metropolis Varanasi is a center of excellence for children and youth with physical, learning or multiple disabilities – due, for example, to cerebral movement disorders, polio, rickets, or tuberculosis. A team of well-trained specialists advises and accompanies affected families and offers their children an individually-tailored range of therapies, care, and training. Every day around 400 pupils visit the day schools of Kiran. In addition to their tuition and according to their needs, they receive physiotherapy, orthopedic care, special educational measures or extra assistance. Kiran has its own orthopedic workshop that produces custom-made orthoses and prostheses as well other aids such as crutches, rollators, or wheelchairs. Also affiliated to Kiran Village is a technical school for special education teachers.
In order to achieve the goal of a better integration into society, further support is given to young people who leave Kiran after their schooling. They are helped either to attend further education, to complete a vocational training, or to take up employment. If necessary, young people are loaned a microcredit to help start their financial independence, e.g. to purchase a goat or to start a tea shop.