By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The Bethany Society, a charitable organization, has entered into a partnership with Avenues with an aim to help specially abled children come to the mainstream.
In the tie-up which is the first of its kind in the region, the students from Avenues would participate in workshops and interactive sessions with specially abled children at Bethany Society, learning sign language and Braille which would help them communicate better with their counterparts.
It may be mentioned that the Bethany Society implements institutional and community based rehabilitation programmes with an aim to bring specially abled people to the mainstream while promoting their rights. The Society also manages Jyoti Sroad, Shillong’s first ‘inclusive school’, and recently celebrated 25 years of service to the community.
Avenues, on the other hand have, for almost a decade, been synonymous with Effective Communication and Life Skills and are considered to be Shillong’s leading Finishing Academy. Avenues’ partnership with Bethany is one of the many initiatives planned, to celebrate the group’s 10th year of operation in the region.
Taking about the agreement, Avenues managing director Mark Stone Laitphlang said that this effort should strengthen interpersonal communication skills for youth and respect for human dignity while narrowing the gap between young adults and people with disabilities.
Laitphlang also believed that the only way that the needs of vulnerable groups can be addressed is through their inclusion into the mainstream institutions.
“I personally feel that the younger generation should lead the way towards achieving this noble objective,” he added.
Meanwhile, Bethany Society director Carmo Noronha is hopeful that the partnership will encourage youth to celebrate equality of opportunity and avoid discrimination.
Earlier on Saturday, the students of Avenues Academy led the children from Bethany, through an energetic session of song and dance in an initiative intended to further the development of interpersonal skills through inclusive education and the use of alternative communication.
A few of Bethany’s hearing impaired children, put together an impromptu Traditional Khasi dance, in perfect time and rhythm, while resident Vocalist, Wanphrang, took everyone by surprise with his soulful rendition of Robbie William’s “Better Man”. Later in the programme, sessions in Sign Language followed from Bethany’s resident translators, and the students from Avenue were given an opportunity to practice their new skills with the children.