She ensures they get their due

Mehdipatnam: Nineteen years ago, a woman came to city-based social worker, Ayesha Rubina’s doorstep looking for admission for her daughter, who was differently-abled. Her mind filled with uncertainty and her heart swelling with the pain of rejection that she faced at 25 other schools, it was only when Rubina offered her daughter admission at her institution, ‘Genesis Special School’, that the mother, overwhelmed with gratitude and emotion, heaved a sigh of relief.

Meet Ayesha Rubina, city-based social worker, whose determination enabled differently-abled children lead normal lives bringing reality to the concept ‘leave no one behind’

The institution was not specifically meant for differently-abled children back in 1998, but the incident sparked a response in Rubina, who made it her goal to provide such children a means to attain basic education and representation in the society.

It is difficult for these children to get admission in mainstream institutions. We provide free education and support for differently-abled children with a doctor, therapist and physiotherapist on the premises
– Ayesha Rubina

Five years later, ‘Green Special School’ came into existence. The institution is a charitable school for children with special needs where physically and mentally challenged wards get training based on their abilities along with life skills education.
Speaking to CityLife, founder Ayesha Rubina shares,

“We started a mainstream school in 1998 with 20 students, but after I gleaned the state of admission for differently-abled children at other schools, I wanted to do something about it. We started this special school to educate such children and to lessen the burden that most families feel when it comes to dealing with future of these children.”

The 2017 theme for ‘International Day of Persons with Disabilities’ was “Transformation towards sustainable and resilient society for all”. The 2030 Agenda drafted as part of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) pledges to “leave no one behind”. Persons with disabilities, as both beneficiaries and agents of change, can fast track the process towards inclusive and sustainable development and promote resilient society for all.

Rubina’s efforts are a means to achieve this goal. Says the social worker, “It is difficult for these children to get admission in mainstream institutions. We provide free education and support for differently-abled children with a doctor, therapist and physiotherapist on the premises.”

The institute bears a cost upto Rs 23 lakh per year and they manage their finances mostly through donations. In addition, Rubina runs a mainstream school ‘Inclusive Education’ that houses around 500 students.

Bringing reality to her idea of inclusivity for differently-abled children, Rubina ensures that at least two children from ‘Green Special School’ are part of each classroom at ‘Inclusive Education’

“This is essential as both parties involved must understand the correct attitude in dealing with persons with disabilities,” she says. To that end, Rubina has been conducting awareness programmes, carnivals, sports meet and other events to give a boost to the children and to include them in community.

She said that for the first time 15 specially-abled children will be writing the Telangana State Open School exam this year.

Development begins with proper education. Rubina’s work towards promoting the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in all spheres of society and development is commendable however, for the social worker it’s all about enabling her students lead normal lives in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural experiences.

By Aneri Shah