Beyond training, Aashyam also works closely with the parents of these children, raising awareness about available opportunities and resources. Many parents, who had either lost hope or were unaware of these possibilities, are now recognizing their children’s potential.
The society was founded by Mrs. Lakshmi Kumari, who was deeply inspired by her experience at the National Institute of Mentally Handicapped. She initially joined a mobile outreach team in 2002, where she began her voluntary service, providing support and counseling to parents of children with mental disabilities. Motivated by her personal experience of raising a child with special needs, Mrs. Lakshmi Kumari has continued her work independently, dedicating herself to the welfare of children with disabilities in the Moula-Ali area of Hyderabad.
ASHA KANSAS CITY IMPACT
Supporting 35 Students/Year
$152,275 disbursed from 2014 through 2024
Project Coordinators from Kansas City: Radhakrishna & Rama Velagapudi
SUCCESS STORIES
Disability: Developmental delay and speech impairment
Arun Kumar comes from a socioeconomically disadvantaged background, where access to specialized education and therapy was beyond his family’s financial means. Aashyam enrolled him in their program in 2017, providing comprehensive support to overcome his challenges. This included special education and structured speech therapy sessions.
Through Aashyam’s dedicated mentorship, Arun successfully completed his 10th-grade, significantly boosting his self-confidence. Despite facing numerous hurdles in securing employment, he eventually secured a position as a tire painter at TVS, earning a stable income of INR 13,000 per month. Arun’s journey of growth and independence is a testament to Aashyam’s unwavering commitment for supporting ; without their intervention, he would not have gained the skills and self-assurance needed to lead a fulfilling life.
Disability: Developmental challenges
Venu Gopal enrolled at Aashyam in 2008 with significant developmental delays. At the time, he struggled with reading, writing, and maintaining focus. Coming from a financially disadvantaged background, his parents had lost hope for his growth and development. Mrs. Lakshmi Kumari convinced his parents to admit him to Aashyam, where he could receive the specialized support he needed.
Venu Gopal’s journey began with foundational skills in literacy and numeracy. He then progressed through a structured curriculum that included:
• Pre-primary to secondary education
• Vocational training programs
• Computer literacy, including data entry skills
With Aashyam’s guidance, Venu was selected for training with a Bangalore-based charity that supports students with disabilities. He can now perform data entry work and even helps other students in their learning, showing both confidence and leadership. His journey highlights the positive impact of Aashyam’s support in helping students become independent.
Disability: Autism
Rahul experiences challenges with speech clarity and attention deficit. To address these needs, he has been receiving one-on-one sessions with a special educator to improve his focus on daily activities and academics.
At Aashyam, Rahul has participated in:
• A structured curriculum from pre-primary through secondary levels
• One-on-one sessions with a specialized educator for children with autism
After five years in the program, Rahul has made significant progress. He can now concentrate on reading and activities, and he is able to remain seated and focused for up to an hour. While there is still more progress to be made, the goal remains to build his confidence and equip him with the life skills needed for independent living.