Inclusion through early intervention

Until recently, 9-year-old Kabir lived in a silent world. He was unable to hear, speak or socialise, and couldn’t look after himself like other children his age.

Kabir, who is autistic, lives in a small village in Karnataka Province in southwest India. He belongs to an Indigenous tribal group, Vaddar, which suffers ongoing discrimination. Living with autism, Kabir was pushed even further into the margins.

Without intervention, he was facing a future with very limited opportunities.

But, with the compassionate support of people like you, our local partners North Karnataka Jesuits and Loyola Vikasa Kendra (LVK), have launched a Sustainable Development project that’s helping marginalised Indigenous people – like Kabir – realise their full potential.

This three-year project is fostering social inclusion in a range of ways, including Jesuit run tuition centres that offer early intervention training and workshops on disability and inclusion for health and pre-school workers.

For Kabir, the support he's received has been life-changing.

Kabir is now learning to speak and, thanks to a scholarship, he’s attending school for the first time.

At the special-needs school he attends in Mundgod, Kabir and his peers receive the guided support they need to thrive.

For Kabir, who’ll continue at the school until Year 10, tutors are helping him to socialise, develop his basic literacy and improve his communication and living skills. Although still a little shy, he is an eager learner and, during his time at the school, will build the skills he needs to become independent and self-reliant in future.

This inspiring project also empowers village leaders to become effective advocates for their communities, working towards more sustainable development and bringing hope and opportunity to Indigenous people living with discrimination.

Reflections Summer #634

This month's eNews stories are part of our Reflections Summer publication #634.

Click here to read the latest edition of Reflections to see how your compassion is empowering lives around the world.