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Southern Handicapped Association

The Southern Handicapped Association provides comprehensive support and education for individuals with various disabilities. It operates a specialised school for students aged 5 to 20 with intellectual, physical, and multiple disabilities, offering tailored education and support to meet their unique needs. For children under 5 years old, the association offers early intervention services to support early development and address specific challenges. Additionally, the association runs a training centre for adults over 20, known as a sheltered workshop, which provides vocational training and skill development to help them gain independence and integrate into the workforce.

 

Accreditation Number with the National Social Inclusion Foundation: NCSRF/2017/0133

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Services offered

The Southern Handicapped Association offers a wide range of services to support individuals with disabilities and their families:

  • Early intervention for children under 5: Includes home visits and psychological support to address early developmental needs.
  • Awareness campaigns: Aimed at breaking taboos and promoting social inclusion for individuals with various disabilities.
  • Academic services: Accessible to all students, with educators trained at the Mauritius Institute of Education (MIE). Individualised educational plans ensure close monitoring and tailored instruction to suit each student's abilities.
  • Rehabilitation: Provides occupational therapy, physiotherapy, medical consultations, and applied paper technology. Includes follow-up and referrals to public medical institutions if necessary.
  • Holistic approach: Emphasises overall well-being through continuous training programmes, self-advocacy programmes, and educational visits to enhance employability and empowerment.
  • IT services: Offers computer training for students and parents to improve digital literacy.
  • Psychological support: Available for both students and their parents to ensure emotional well-being.
  • Extracurricular activities: Includes sports, yoga, educational outings, trips, and painting to foster well-rounded development.

 

The association operates two branches:

  • Main branch: Royal Road, Riambel, Surinam
  • Secondary branch: Morcellement Mon Désert, Plane Magnien

 

The Southern Handicapped Association currently assists 80 students under 20 years old, 15 students over 20 years old, and 45 parents, providing comprehensive support to the entire community.

 

Accreditation Number with the National Social Inclusion Foundation: NCSRF/2017/0133

History

The Southern Handicapped Association (SHA) was founded in 1985 in Souillac by Mr. Ramesh Bondy, following a field study conducted by volunteers. The study revealed a significant number of children with disabilities in the southern region who were not receiving any care. At its inception, a committee of 10 volunteers established the only facility in the south dedicated to supporting people with disabilities.

 

Initially, SHA operated as a day-care centre for individuals with disabilities. Early collaborators included Bioculture, the United States Embassy, the Ministry of Social Security, and the National Council for Rehabilitation of Disabled Persons. As the organisation grew, it began accommodating more students, and in 1997, with the support of the Society for the Welfare of the Deaf, activities moved to Surinam.

 

In 2000, with assistance from United Way, the Society for the Welfare of the Deaf, and the Rotary Club of Mahebourg, the Surinam facility was expanded. By 2002, SHA collaborated with the Fondation Espoir et Développement (FED) to establish a sheltered workshop for individuals over 20 years old. SHA was officially registered as a specialised school in 2005 and became eligible for CSR funds in 2009.

 

In 2010, SHA launched its pre-primary section, becoming the first organisation in the south to welcome children with disabilities at the pre-primary level. A second branch was opened in Plaine Magnien in 2012. In 2013, Ramesh Bondy became a founding member of Inclusion Mauritius. The following year, with funding from the MCB Forward Foundation, SHA initiated the SANKORE project, introducing interactive whiteboards as a crucial educational tool for specialised education. In 2015, with funding from ABSA, SHA launched the Applied Paper Technology initiative.

 

Over the years, SHA has introduced several additional programmes and services, including aquatherapy, a new sensory and occupational therapy room, an aquaponics project, self-advocacy programmes, transportation training, and various projects aimed at promoting inclusion.

Objectives
  • To provide innovative, exciting, and informative learning experiences.
  • To have an early and positive impact on the education of individuals with disabilities.
  • To promote the social inclusion of individuals with disabilities.
  • To provide access to employment and training opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
  • To offer support and guidance to parents.
Main achievements
  • Awards and recognition: Multiple recipient of the Barclays Colours of Life award (now ABSA).
  • International sports participation: SHA para-athletes have competed in various international sporting events, including the Paralympic Games in China, England, Ireland, Seychelles, and Germany.
  • Global workshops: Participation of self-advocates in international workshops under Inclusion Mauritius and directly under SHA in Africa, including Kenya and Ethiopia.
  • Conferences and visits: Participation in a conference in Lucknow, India, and visits to Dubai and Mumbai.
  • Craft shop: Opening of a craft shop in Mahebourg to showcase and sell handmade items.
  • Hospitality training: Providing hospitality training for youth in collaboration with the Mauritius Institute of Training and Development (MITD).
  • Professional integration: Successful professional integration of various youth into the workforce.
  • Therapeutic initiatives: Introduction of a sensory garden as an outdoor therapy space for individuals with disabilities.
Sources of funding
  • National Social Inclusion Foundation (NSIF)
  • Ministry of Education
  • Ministry of Social Security
  • Private Sponsors (Bioculture, ABSA, and others)