MENTAID
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Mission Statement
To advance the personal development of people with intellectual disabilities to greater opportunities through education, training, leisure and recreational activities. To promote personal choice and advocacy for the rights of people with intellectual disabilities To encourage full participation, integration and involvement in the community and society of people with intellectual disabilities and their families
About This Cause
Birth of Mentaid Two families met in 1985 with the objective of reaching out to many more families in a similar situation - that of having a child with intellectual disability. Mentaid started as a support group offering parent to parent counseling, generating awareness in the community, referral services, leisure activities, organizing seminars and workshops and disseminating information through a regular newsletter. It was the first registered organization in West Bengal exclusively organized by parents of the intellectually disabled. Mentaid’s Credentials Registered under Societies Registration Act XXVI of 1961, PWD Act 1995, National Trust Act 1999 Registered under 12A of Income Tax Act 1961, exempted under 80G, Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) 2010. Academic recognition by Department of Mass Education Extension & Library Services -603/MEE/ sect/ 3S -31/2003. Chosen as one of only three examples of good practice in Study jointly conducted by Inclusion International and Parivaar-NCPA in 2006. On World Disability Day, 3rd December 2007, Mentaid was awarded “Best Parents’ Organization” by Government of West Bengal for their dedicated service for the cause of disabilities. The Chairperson and a self-advocate represented India at the Global Forum: Transforming Rights into Action, Canada, 2008, organized by Inclusion International. One young man, Shantidev Bera received an Award as “Role Model” from Office of the Commissioner, Disabilities, on 3rd December 2013. Mentaid was awarded SPANDAN AWARD - Special Jury Felicitation held at New Delhi by National Trust of India, 2014. Supriya Saha, the only woman athlete from West Bengal, won a Gold Medal in the 400 m walk at the Special Olympics - World Summer Games 2015, Los Angeles, U.S.A. Mentaid was awarded the Dr. Reeta Peshawaria – Menon, Smt. Premlata Peshawaria National Award at The National Parents Meet at Jallandhar, on 12th November 2016. Mentaid was awarded “The Best Institution for outstanding performance in rehabilitation of persons with Disability” by the Government of West Bengal, department of Women & Child & Social Welfare on 3rd December, 2018. Vision To empower, secure rights & improve the quality of the life of persons with intellectual disabilities & their families. Mission To advance the personal development of People with Intellectual Disabilities (PWIDs) to greater opportunities through education, training, leisure and recreational activities. To promote personal choice and advocacy for the rights of People with Intellectual Disabilities and their families. To encourage full participation, integration and involvement in the Community and Society of People with Intellectual Disabilities and their families. Philosophy Mentaid’s philosophy is based on the fundamental belief that all people with an intellectual disability have the same rights as other members of society, including: The right to lead a normal life The right to lead a fulfilling life The right to properly maintained, monitored and evaluated services. The right to establish people with intellectual disability as full and useful members of society. The right, through appropriate means, to fill in the gaps in the provisions/ services offered. The right to take a stand against inadequate and sub – standard provision. Committees of Mentaid Technical Committee – An architect, two engineers, a businessman Fund Raising Committee – Parents, event manager Advisory Board – Three members from the corporate sector and one from Indian Institute of Management, Kolkata. Newsletter Committee – A journalist and three staff members STRUCTURE OF MENTAID Special School Vocational Training Centre Other Activities Counseling Handicrafts Seminars Referral Screen printing Workshops Initial Assessment Spice Making Exhibitions Living Learning Unit I Catering Self Advocacy Living Learning Unit II Staff Development Primary Computer Parent Training Upper Primary Household products Resource Unit Pre-vocational Paper / Silk Bag Newsletter Secondary Networking Vocational Fund Raising CommunityAwareness Notes: • Mentaid Association is composed of parents and committed well wishers. They actively participate in awareness programmes and other activities. • Mentaid Executive Committee is the apex body composed of a majority of committed parents (elected in the General Body by the members of the Mentaid Association) who jointly take all important decisions. The Chairperson is herself a parent and is also the Director of the Mentaid services. • Mentaid staff consists of qualified, trained and experienced persons in the field of intellectual & developmental disabilities, support personnel for care and management of intellectually challenged children / people with disabilities, and administrative staff. ACTIVITIES OF MENTAID AT A GLANCE FROM APRIL 2019 – MARCH 2020. Highlights of the year 23rd June 2019 – The State Level Self Advocacy Forum of India Bengal at its AGM held Kolkata, re-elected Shantidev Bera as Secretary of SAFI – Parivaar Bengal and Manideepa Kar as its Vice President. 16th November 2019 – The National Level Self Advocacy Forum of India, had at its AGM held at Ujjain – Madhya Pradesh, elected Shantidev Bera as Secretary of SAFI – NCPO. 29th February 2020 – Puskar Ghosh was awarded “The Best Student of the Year” by Department of Mass Education Extension & Library Science, Government of WB. Capacity Building by Mentaid Parents Training for 25 parents on weekends. Conducted by Mentaid class room teachers on topics like feeding, drinking, grooming, hygiene, social skills, first aid-medical care. Livelihood Project – Discussions for the way forward for our young adults with parents and entrepreneurs. Health awareness programs for 50 students and young trainees of the Mentaid Special School and Vocational Training Centre. Workshop on Specific Learning Disability for 45 regular class room teachers and special educators. Staff Orientation on a) Autism by a visiting professional b) The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Children c) POCSO – Protection of Children against Sexual Offences d) Rights of Persons with Disability Act 2016. Awareness talks to the staff and students as a step to inclusion in: a) two regular schools b) nursing college c) Bishop’s College d) ESI Hospital, Joka Networking WIPRO CARES - Exhibition and sale of Vocational Training Centre products AGM of Parivaar NCPO (National Confederation of Parents Organizations) at Ahmedabad Mrs. Iona Kundu was made Advisor at the AGM elections and Chairperson of Parivaar Constitution Amendment Committee. Awareness Rally on World Disability Day– organized by Disability Activists Forum West Bengal in central Kolkata. A big team under the Mentaid banner including students, trainees, staff members and parents, participated. The rally was flagged off by the Mayor-in-Council, Mr.Debasish Kumar. EVENTS ORGANIZED BY MENTAID 02.04.2019 Celebration of World Autism Day and the26thFoundation Day of Mentaid Special School. Celebrated with all staff, students and EC members of Mentaid Association. A Special Program by students was followed by cake cutting and fellowship lunch. Certificates of appreciation were given to the three, who completed 25 years of service at Mentaid 02.05.2019 16 Voter Cards for our young adults received from DM’s Office, Alipore,24Pgns(S) Mentaid were received. 01.07.2019 Celebration of 23rd Foundation Day of the Vocational Training Centre. . A short cultural program by trainees of the VTC was followed by lunch with all the staff and students. 24.07.2019 & 20.08.2019 - Orientation of Regular Classroom Teachers and Orientation of Regular school students. Conducted by Mentaid special educators. 25 regular classroom teachers and 40 regular students of “Jyotirmai Bal Mandir” attended. 27.07.2019 Special Olympics meeting. to discuss the future of Special Olympics. 14.08.2019 Celebration of the 73rdIndependence Day. Celebrated by our staff and students with patriotic songs, and distribution of sweets. 16.08.2019 Rakshabandhan Celebrated - to strengthen the bond of love and to inspire the virtues of love and harmony among the students. The girls selected rakhies and tied it on the wrist of all the boys. 01.09.2019 Mentaid at St. Paul’s Cathedral. An inclusive service with the celebration of Teachers’ Day, attended by heads and teachers of regular schools, our parents and staff. A cultural programme by our students and address by the Chairperson, was followed by fellowship breakfast donated by the congregation. Display of VTC products was appreciated. 05.09.2019 Celebration of Teachers’ Day and 33rd Foundation Day of Mentaid Association 12 members of HP–Shakti Club East Zone visited with gifts of appreciation and mementos for all the staff members. Mentaid also gifted all the staff and gave a lunch treat. 14.11.2019 Children’s Day Celebration Inner Wheel, Bhowanipore. Planting of seeds by Mentaid team. Members of Bhowanipore Rotary Club distributed the snacks. 06.12.2019 Awareness Rally In the heart of the city. 400 participants ifrom regular and special schools, colleges and representatives of NGO's joined Mentaid, holding placards for the 3 kms. walk with the police band and police escort all of which made for good awareness and media coverage. 14.12.2019 Annual Inclusive Sports St. Thomas’ Girls’ School. 150 participants from regular and special schools. 14.02.2020 Annual Picnic at South24 Parganas. Team of 110 .Enjoyed by everyone. 04.03.2020 Annual Concert All the students performed a beautiful and energetic programme of dance, drama, song and recitation on the theme of “Unity in Diversity”. 06.03.2020 Celebrated the festival of colour, Holi, with dry and eco – friendly colours.