The organization Kiran helped Sandeep back to school
Listening This is the story of 14-year-old Sandeep, who was born with a physical disability in his hands and feet. At school, Sandeep was bullied and forced to drop out. The organization Kiran helped Sandeep to return to school and continue his education. Now he dreams of becoming a carpenter.
Sandeep was born with a disability
Sandeep is 14 years old and lives in India with his mother, father and siblings. When Sandeeep was born, his parents noticed that his hands and feet did not look like those of other children. When Sandeep was in his mother's womb, his hands and feet did not develop as they should. As Sandeep got older, his parents also noticed that he had difficulty speaking. His parents were very worried.
-"We were always worried about Sandeep when he was younger," says his father Dev. His mother and I worked in the fields day and night. So we had to leave him home alone. We were afraid he would get hurt because he could neither walk nor hold anything.
Sandeep 14 years.
Sandeep 14 years.
When Sandeep started school
When he started school, the other children were afraid of him because of his appearance. They teased and beat him all the time. Sandeep became a victim of bullying. The teachers did nothing to stop the bullying. It was also difficult for Sandeep to follow the lessons.
Because of the bullying and Sandeep's difficulties, his parents stopped sending him to school. He stayed at home instead. People in the village where the family lives also stopped talking and socializing with his parents because they thought Sandeep was weird.
The organization paid for Sandeep's surgery. After the surgery, Sandeep was able to hold a pen and walk without support for the first time.
The organization paid for Sandeep's surgery. After the surgery, Sandeep was able to hold a pen and walk without support for the first time.
Got help and could go to school again
A few years ago, a woman came to the village where Sandeep and his family live. The woman worked for an organization called Kiran. The organization is supported by Individual Humanitarian Aid, IM. They work to ensure that children with disabilities can go to school just like everyone else. The woman who came to the village saw that Sandeep had a disability.
The woman went to his parents' home and told them how important it is for all children to go to school. She also said that Kiran has a health center where the family could get support. Sandeep and his parents went there and learned about his disability and how they could support him to live a normal life.
The Kiran organization also saw that Sandeep needed an operation. They arranged for Sandeep to see a doctor and also paid for Sandeep's surgery. After the surgery, Sandeep was able to walk and hold a pen for the first time.
- "Our lives have changed completely," says Sandeep's father with a smile. "Now me and his mom know how to support Sandeep, and we also know that there is nothing strange about having a disability. Now Sandeep is back in school and he loves every minute.
The organization Kiran also helped Sandeep's teachers and classmates understand what it is like to live with a disability.
Sandeep with his family.
Sandeep with his family.
Sandeep dreams of becoming a carpenter
The Kiran organization continues to help Sandeep. The goal in the future is for Sandeep to be able to support himself. Kiran offers further education and Sandeep dreams of taking their training to become a carpenter.
- When Sandeep starts his carpentry training, I have promised to buy him a new shirt and new trousers so that he will look good when he starts his training," says Sandeep's father proudly.
This text was originally published on January 1, 2020.
Published: 04 May 2023
